Trying to do a chin up...

4ever420
4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
So the last month or so I've been trying to work on doing a full chin up but can only make it about 1/3 of the way up. :( Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

Replies

  • SweatLikeDog
    SweatLikeDog Posts: 318 Member
    http://www.startbodyweight.com/p/pull-up-progression.html
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    A buddy of mine couldn't do a pull up. I had him doing pull downs and assisted chin ups (machine) and 3-4 months later, he can do 10 pull ups. It's just a matter of practice and doing the work.
  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    Thank you
  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    JeffseekingV wrote: »
    A buddy of mine couldn't do a pull up. I had him doing pull downs and assisted chin ups (machine) and 3-4 months later, he can do 10 pull ups. It's just a matter of practice and doing the work.

    The thing is, I don't have access to any machines, just the bar

  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Do negatives. Jump or step up, then let yourself down slow as you can. Which probably won't be too slow when you start.
  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    Do negatives. Jump or step up, then let yourself down slow as you can. Which probably won't be too slow when you start.

    Thanks, I'll try that.

  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    'Grease the groove'.....I tried for ages, didn't manage it till I got a pull-up bar for the house. I have it at the kitchen and my rule was to try one every time I went in there =D got the first one within a week. (I can do 4 now)
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    edited December 2014
    Took me long time before I can even do one, I can do 12 now. :)
  • ukaryote
    ukaryote Posts: 874 Member
    edited December 2014
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRznU6pzez0

    This person Scooby is very encouraging. I have been working towards a pull up for months. It will probably take me over a year to get to the first one. If nothing else, the workouts will help your overall fitness. Just mentioning the length of time because it depends on your starting level of fitness and your ability to put on muscle.

    Oh, I did not know a youtube link in the forums would bring up the whole vid. Something relatively new in the forums.
  • VJ106
    VJ106 Posts: 3 Member
    I use resistance bands to assist in my pull-up until I can strengthen up and do them un-assisted.
  • jklei169
    jklei169 Posts: 120 Member
    Try placing a chair under the bar. Stand or kneel on the chair to get you chin above the bar. Use you arms to slowly lower yourself down and your legs to keep.some weight off your arms. Gradually, you will need your legs less and less. Once a week or so try to do a pull up. One day it will just happen.
  • jesiann2014
    jesiann2014 Posts: 521 Member
    Don't give up. I didn't think it would ever be possible for me. I can now, after months (like 6!) of practice do 2. And I am so proud of my 2!!! :) Same with standard push-ups. Just believed that I was that one person who could never physically do even one. Today I can do 7 reps!

    You'll get there too.
  • daedalus01
    daedalus01 Posts: 44 Member
    Negatives & band assistance + time.
  • Nolan1009
    Nolan1009 Posts: 36 Member
    Negatives, band assisted and flexed arm hangs for time did it for me. Plus consistency- working at it everyday.
  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    3laine75 wrote: »
    'Grease the groove'.....I tried for ages, didn't manage it till I got a pull-up bar for the house. I have it at the kitchen and my rule was to try one every time I went in there =D got the first one within a week. (I can do 4 now)

    A week! That's amazing. I'll be happy if I get there in a year.

  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    jesiann2014 wrote: »
    Don't give up. I didn't think it would ever be possible for me. I can now, after months (like 6!) of practice do 2. And I am so proud of my 2!!! :) Same with standard push-ups. Just believed that I was that one person who could never physically do even one. Today I can do 7 reps!

    You'll get there too.

    Thank you, that gives me hope. :)

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I agree with all of the above! I started using a machine, and slowly lowered the assistance. Then, hubby gave me an old pull-up bar. I needed help at first, either a spotter, or a chair. Practice with flexed arm hang(both over- and under-hand grips), negatives, and chair-assisted pull-ups until the day you can do one unassisted. Then, do one rep several times throughout the day. Gradually increase your reps per set.
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