Doing a pull up with a machine?

kassiebby1124
kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
SO. I want to blast some back fat (and all over fat, of course) and I was told that 2 good methods are Lat Pull downs and pull ups. Now, the lat pull down I got down pat ;p It's the pull up. I've NEVER been able to do them. I don't have upper body strength. Well, I do, but I don't know how to harness it. So is it okay to start off with a machine or should i just jump onto to the bar and see what happens?

Replies

  • Goosiesnougs
    Goosiesnougs Posts: 420
    use a body band until you can do them by your onesies. Or have someone spot you!
  • sdreed25
    sdreed25 Posts: 208 Member
    I'm interested in replies on this, my PT said not to use the machine as it's not the same..... but to do lat pull downs until I can do my own body weight on there, and then move onto the pull-ups
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    I used a crossfit band (effectively subtracted 35 lbs of my body weight) to learn unassisted chinups and pullups. They're like $20 and you can loop them over any bar. I've read that the seated lat pull-down machine takes your core muscles out of the equation.
  • ZombieChaser
    ZombieChaser Posts: 1,555 Member
    Start with inverted rows :)
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    You can use the bands to help with pull-ups but it won't spot-reduce your back fat.

    You can not pick where you want the fat to come off from.
  • BigRich822
    BigRich822 Posts: 681
    I started with a pullup assist machine, untill i was strong enough to do them alone. Now im up too 100, and now I start adding weight.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    SO. I want to blast some back fat (and all over fat, of course) and I was told that 2 good methods are Lat Pull downs and pull ups. Now, the lat pull down I got down pat ;p It's the pull up. I've NEVER been able to do them. I don't have upper body strength. Well, I do, but I don't know how to harness it. So is it okay to start off with a machine or should i just jump onto to the bar and see what happens?
    You lose weight via your diet.


    Use the assisted machine until you can do a pullup on your own.
  • CraigCooke
    CraigCooke Posts: 22 Member
    You cannot spot reduce fat - calorific balance (negative) will assist you in losing weight - back exercises will increase muscle mass / tone in your back...
  • margojr4
    margojr4 Posts: 259 Member
    These helped me achieve my unassisted pull up goal...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfXuohjylwI


    And like others have stated - you cannot spot reduce, eat well and exercise - you will see results. Most of all, BE PATIENT!
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    I started with a pullup assist machine, untill i was strong enough to do them alone. Now im up too 100, and now I start adding weight.
    You're up to 100 consecutive pull-ups?
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    I started with a pullup assist machine, untill i was strong enough to do them alone. Now im up too 100, and now I start adding weight.
    You're up to 100 consecutive pull-ups?
    That raised in eye brow as well...
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/
  • marathon_mama
    marathon_mama Posts: 150 Member
    I have tried all 3...the bar, the machine, and the bands. If you have access to the assist machine then i highly recommend that one. It is amazing.
  • carlom18
    carlom18 Posts: 174 Member
    I've been told and am a strong believer to skip the machine. Learn on the pull up bar you have at home/gym. Start by doing negatives, using a chair or bench or if your strong enough, do 1 or 2 and work your way from there. Another method which you can do is 'groovin the moo' (lol) which is where you do a pull up (even chin ups) when ever and where ever. So at home or if you happen to walk somewhere with beams/ bars or what ever that will allow a chin up, you do 1, 2 or what you can there.

    Hope this helps. :smile:
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Yes lat pull downs are a great exercise.

    For pull ups:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJN8hHY_PQU

    Remember, focus on the negative!
  • BigRich822
    BigRich822 Posts: 681
    4 sets of 25, cant quite get 100 consecutive
  • shaffy08
    shaffy08 Posts: 6
    bump
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    4 sets of 25, cant quite get 100 consecutive

    impressive none the less.
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    Like other have said, you can't spot reduce fat,

    The machines work okay, but it won't be much different than just doing a lat pull down. Resistance bands work better. You can also do negatives by using a bench to get you to the top position, and slowly lower yourself back down. I've also seen recommendations for doing lat pull downs in the kneeling position.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I agree....use the assist machine until you can do it on your own.

    Towards the end of August I decided to try to do a pull up on the monkey bars at the park. I couldn't lift myself an inch :( The next day I started on the assist machine with 165# of assist. The last month or so I have been using 105# of assist..

    I also use the cable lat pull down machine with 50# on it
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    the pullup assist machine is good, if your gym has one. You can also do 'negative' pullups. That is where you jump up or are boosted up to where your chin is over the bar. Then you lower yourself SLOWLY down. Repeating that process for 6 to 8 reps in 2 to 3 sets.
  • lizschwab
    lizschwab Posts: 11 Member
    bump
  • Keto_T
    Keto_T Posts: 673 Member
    We have a Gravitron at my gym. Is that the same thing? It's assisted upper body. I havent had much success with it though. Still have a hard time.
  • kassiebby1124
    kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
    Thank everyone. I know you can't spot reduce :p I don't have a band, so I guess i'll do negatives
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    4 sets of 25, cant quite get 100 consecutive

    That's herculean
  • slacker80
    slacker80 Posts: 235 Member
    Start with a fairly narrow UNDERHAND grip just inside shoulder width. This is the easiest method on the bar, as your able to use the stronger portion of your biceps to assist you all the way to the top. give yourself a good boost on the first pullup, and once you come off that first rep at the bottom of the negative your muscles are tense and ready for more.

    Once you become comfy with the underhand, than you can start going overhand and with a narrow grip at shoulder width. The wider your grip becomes outside the shoulders the tougher your pullups will become.

    Tip - Try to imagine your arms as nothing but meat hooks, that's it! Pull from the musles in your back while driving your elbows back visualize your shoulderblades pulling and comming together at the top of the pull. you gotta let the back do the work. take your mind off the biceps

    Thumb under the bar (overhand grip) will tire you at the wrist and strain of trying to squeeze the grip.
    Thumb over the bar along with the rest of the fingers is a lot easier on the wrist, however can lose grip under large amounts of weight. guess it all just depends on your style.

    much luck.

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