P90X ladies, doing pull-ups

Hoosier96
Hoosier96 Posts: 118 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ladies-
Could you do a pull-up at the start of P90X, and if not, how many weeks in until you could? We have P90X and are considering starting it again (never made it past two weeks, always quit due to soreness). I can barely do a flexed arm hang and the whole pull-up section seems super pointless to me as a result; yet I know if I don't try, I will never be able to. Suggestions for strengthening to get ready to try a pull-up?

Replies

  • manda_c_182
    manda_c_182 Posts: 14 Member
    I'm starting P90x on Monday, will have to let you know how I go :-) I'm not very strong atm tho!
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    I'm not a lady but you could try putting one foot on the back of a chair that's close to you as you do pullups. That takes some of the weight off and makes it a little easier. Also try negatives - use a chair to get you up where your chin is over the bar, then take your feet off the chair and hold yourself up. Slowly let yourself go down until your arms are fully extended - give yourself about 15 seconds to do this move all the way down. Repeat as much as you can.

    My wife & I are in our last week of P90X. I could only do 1-2 pullups at first but now can get 12. I used a chair most of the time for assistance during the workouts. My wife couldn't do any at first but now she can do a few.
  • Hoosier96
    Hoosier96 Posts: 118 Member
    thx for the tip. the other thing I remember is failing to use my muscles and relying on my grip to [try to] pull myself up. I think pull-ups are one of the hardest things ever!!!
  • rkr22401
    rkr22401 Posts: 216 Member
    Order some giant cross fit style rubber bands (rubberbanditz is the brand is used), loop over bar, place feet in band like a stirrup, do pull-ups.

    As you get stronger, use fewer/thinner bands. Soon you won't be using them for your first set or two...then you start using them when you are too fatigued to lift your bodyweight a sufficient number of reps. Soon you won't need them at all.

    Not long ago I couldn't do pullups. Now a can do a million (well maybe not a million).

    Just be careful when stepping out of the band that you control it so it doesn't slap you in the face.

Categories