Working up to a pull up?

YouHadMyCuriosity

One of my big fitness goals for myself over the next 5 months is to finally, for the first time in my life, be able to do an unassisted pullup. I never have eaked out even one without a jump start, or a machine. For that matter, I can only do approximately 5 "normal" pushups, and I'm pretty sure I don't go far enough to the ground! I am a 140lb 5'5 female, if this matters.

What are some good exercises to start building up the strength to do this? I am doing KettleWorx DVDs three times a week (which are essentially 25 minute workouts with kettlebells, split between resistance, cardio, and core), but I know this is definitely not enough. Since I am very new in my fitness journey, any input would be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and if this is important- I don't currently have access to a gym, but would be willing to spend anywhere under 100$ in equipment, if it would help. One thing that I plan to buy soon is a bar for weights (I believe those weigh 45lbs?) to start doing squats with- if there are any exercises that could help with getting up to a pullup, AWESOME.

Capt_Apollo

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Gym-Total-Upper-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K

257_Lag

http://scoobysworkshop.com/pullups-for-total-beginners/

This helped me a lot.

Myhaloslipped

bump to bookmark later because my computer is acting up right now and not letting me save favorites. This happens to be my next project. I tried to do an assisted pullup at the gym and made a complete *kitten* of myself! I am going to take the advice from this article and start working my back muscles more.

Altruista75

Personally I do assisted ones (machines at the gym & chair at home) but have lowered the weight on the machine at the gym and have gone to only using one leg on a chair at home vs 2. From what I hear - practice makes perfect and all you need to do is keep working at it! My goal is to be able to do 1 unassisted by the beginning of next year. I have no idea why this particular move is so important to me but it is! I will do this!!!

EvgeniZyntx

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Gym-Total-Upper-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K

Excellent links, Capt.

YouHadMyCuriosity

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to use some of these tips

maz165

This has been a goal lurking on my horizon for a while. Thanks for asking, and thanks for the links! Super useful. Good luck, OP!

hankela

save for later

HRCephei36

Check out Mark Lauren's "You Are Your Own Gym" program. Been using it for over a year now. I love it

Groovyca2022

Bump...to read later.


Good luck = )

CeleryStalker

Scooby is a trip. I've just recently started watching his videos. Something about that guy.....maybe it's the way he pretends to struggle as he demonstrates a move he can do easily, but is teaching us weaklings to do

RedHotHunter

bump for good info