Lack of cable system for pulldowns/rows

Jenlwb

Hi all,

Just wondering if I'm doing myself a disservice by not getting my hands on some kind of pulley system. I did stage 1 with the alternative exercises- pullovers (instead of pull downs) and bent over rows instead of seated rows.

There is no suitable gym for me, and I've already bought a ton of equipment at home, can't really justify more, don't have the space!

I have a pull up bar, can i do some kind of assisted pull up to similate the pulldowns? I also have a kind of resistance band (more of a stretchy skipping rope) that i could wrap round a door handle/bannister, but how do you know how much weight it's equivalent to?

I would love to one day do a pull up and a chin up, but i don't think it's going to happen when i'm missing out on these exercises.

Thanks for listening gals xx

kcfaber

This is a challenge for me too. working out at home. Already have a lot of great equipment but no cable thing. We have the Total Gym which can be used for that but I've already maxed out on highest elevation (Level 6) and it's just based on body weight so can't increase the weight passed this point. I have heard good things about resistance bands and think they are relatively cheap with a variety of weights/strengths so maybe that would be a good substitute with a thing that allows you to mount on a door. I may end trying some of these things to supplement. Anyway, will be interested if anyone else has good advice. thanks for posting!

deninevi

You can use the pull up bar and do negative pull ups. Try the negatives for time-jump up to the bar, hold up top and slowly lower your self. The pull up is a lot harder than the chin up-start with close grip chin up-do negatives-jump to bar, hold up top and slowly lower, for time- check stage 6 in the book for the negatives for time. Add weight after you can hold and go down for more than 20 sec. Also, do the inverted pull up-here is a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdcUYCrg6yc&feature=related. I don't think the resistant bands will provide enough resistance for you.
here is a post about a lat pull down sub. on a dif. board
http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/fitness/alternative-lat-pull-down

idauria

I did this program at home too and I just did the pullovers. We are actually looking into getting some kind of cable system now that hubby is working out again.

Jenlwb

Thanks all!

Not sure I can get decent resistance bands here, although i could order them. I'll try the stuff with the pull up bar. I've only attempted it once- I tried the negative, took my feet off the step ladder and fell on it! bashed my shin. Couldn't even hold myself up. I will keep trying, this time with a cushion under it.

The link deninevi gave suggests standing holding the pull up bar and leaning, then doing the lat pull downs, that could work.

meshashesha2012

i'd say go with the pull up bar, since lat pull downs are essentially a way to work up to pull ups and chin ups. for the rows i the bent over rows are essentially the same.