Seeking thoughts on my pull-up predicament.

Vorenus85

Hey guys. So I have been doing (well, trying to do them at least) pull ups for the better part of a year now. I have never thought my form was perfect, but after watching some videos on proper form, I think it's not good. In all these videos, their arms are completely straightened on the way down. My problem is, the pull up bar I use at home (one where the bar itself is tucked in under the door frame) combines with my height in such a way that I cannot fully lower my arms on the way down without still having my elbows bent, even if I touched the floor. So, I am not sure how much this really hurts my progress. Thoughts?

Retroguy2000

You really really want that stretch, that's where a lot of the growth happens. Partial reps in the lengthened position are much better than partials in the rest of the range of motion, which is what you're doing.

Find another way to get a pull-up bar at a higher height. Or switch to other back exercises, like barbell row, chest supported row, one arm bent over dumbbell row, lat prayer, lat pulldown, dumbbell pullover, etc.

Vorenus85

Retroguy2000 wrote: »

You really really want that stretch, that's where a lot of the growth happens. Partial reps in the lengthened position are much better than partials in the rest of the range of motion, which is what you're doing.

Find another way to get a pull-up bar at a higher height. Or switch to other back exercises, like barbell row, chest supported row, one arm bent over dumbbell row, lat prayer, lat pulldown, dumbbell pullover, etc.

Duly noted, thanks. Getting the pull up bar at a higher height seems unlikely where I'm at, so which back exercise would you say I could/should do if I have no barbell or bench? One arm bent over dumbbell row seems like something I could do.

AnnPT77

Bend your legs at the knees so your feet clear the floor? (Don't swing them.)

It will change the core dynamics a little, but it's simple.

Or are you taller than that, even?!?

Vorenus85

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Bend your legs at the knees so your feet clear the floor? (Don't swing them.)

It will change the core dynamics a little, but it's simple.

Or are you taller than that, even?!?

I'm not very tall, 5'9. Yeah I could try that, thanks!

claireychn074

Or - try an L-Sit pull up. You can do those from sitting on the floor with your legs outstretched, so they can be done with a (stable) squat rack.

Fair warning - they’re evil and hard. I can do L-sit chin ups but not very good at the pull up variety.