pull ups

lynseya83

Hello,
I was wondering if I could get some advice.
I'm doing the p 90x workout but need help with pull ups!
Would it be better to get the type of resistance band ( with the handles) to pull down towards me for training, or the flat ' giant elastic band ' type band to put my foot in the loop to do an assisted type pull up?
I need something to give me a helping hand just can't decide which would be more effective!
Thanks!

yogicarl

Having tried both, I would go for the flat band you step into because that movement is more like the pull-up you will eventually do when you do them unassisted, whereas the other time you pull down to yourself starts to feel more like a crunching movement and your legs are not off the floor.

- flat bands.

kimdawnhayden

Also try negatives. Jump up to the bar and lower yourself as slowly as possible. This builds strength. Or jump up to the bar and hold yourself up for as long as possible in place. This will also build you up. (You may not want to do this if all you have is an in the doorway bar, it may rock) If you have a stable bar, I would also buy the flat band. You can find them at Academy Sports cheaper than the p90x assist. They come in different assist varieties. But I would start with the jumping to the bar and build yourself up. You can also find a demo online on having a partner assist you with pull-ups. Basically you are at the bar and your partner holds your feet against their chest (your legs are bent behind you on their chest) and you push against their body with your feet as you push up.

mikemc620

You can also use a foot on a chair to help yourself up when you need the help.

SezxyStef

Also try negatives. Jump up to the bar and lower yourself as slowly as possible. This builds strength. Or jump up to the bar and hold yourself up for as long as possible in place. This will also build you up. (You may not want to do this if all you have is an in the doorway bar, it may rock) If you have a stable bar, I would also buy the flat band. You can find them at Academy Sports cheaper than the p90x assist. They come in different assist varieties. But I would start with the jumping to the bar and build yourself up. You can also find a demo online on having a partner assist you with pull-ups. Basically you are at the bar and your partner holds your feet against their chest (your legs are bent behind you on their chest) and you push against their body with your feet as you push up.

This is what I did...reverse chin/pull ups...works like a charm.

lynseya83

Thanks!
The bar is in the loft hatch! So with a chair I reach it fine - but I can't high up enough to do a negative!
I think the band will be the way to go then! What poundage do folk normally start with? I can't even do one myself although having a helping hand from my other half I can get up a few reps!

yogicarl

Thanks!
The bar is in the loft hatch! So with a chair I reach it fine - but I can't high up enough to do a negative!
I think the band will be the way to go then! What poundage do folk normally start with? I can't even do one myself although having a helping hand from my other half I can get up a few reps!

You could (and this carries an "at your discretion" disclaimer) consider placing a stepladder under the loft hatch so you can hold onto the bar but also rest your heels on the rung of the stepladder so they are parallel to the floor below and pull-up like that. In this way you are lifting around two thirds of your bodyweight and your legs are not taking part in the work. Placing your feet on the step enables you to push slightly so you could start on your heels and then switch to toes as you start to reach failure, then step up on the ladder to reach the negative and slowly come back down, back up the ladder and down and so on.

Mind your head though!

waldo56

The resistance band you step into would be the better option.