Are Pull ups required ?
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AsrarHussain
Posts: 1,424 Member
Hi there, I wanted to ask are pull ups required for a big back, I cant do pull ups, I dont have the strength to do them yet, I was thinking of trying them. I wanted to ask are they really required or can I just do rows and lat pulldowns.
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Replies
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I don't know if they are required, not my area of expertise. However, have you considered using the machine that assists with pull-ups/dips and working your way with that to being able to do a pull up?4
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People with big backs do pull-ups. As suggested, use an assist machine and/or an assist band. You can get there.3
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Pull ups are required for urinary incontinence. (sorry - couldn't help myself.) And, if people with big backs do pull ups, do people with small backs do diapers? (sorry again - feel free to delete)10
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Nothing is "required".
Big guys with big backs rarely rely on pull ups as part of their main routine because the weight to strength ratio makes it difficult to get in the required reps. Doesn't seem to hold them back2 -
When I started lifting again, I could not do one. I worked on heavy rows and pulldowns. I can now do 5-6 strict form pullups. Negatives will help you build the strength, along with other back exercises that I mentioned. Also, do some inverted rows. If you have access to an assisted pullup machine, use it as well. I also lost 27 lbs. which for me made a big difference, as it's less weight I have to pull. I don't believe there is any single exercise that will help you build a wide back like pullups. Lat pulldowns would be my number two choice.
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Rows and lateral wide grip Pull downs will get you to the point of being able to do pull ups. Don't worry it takes time.2
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shadow2soul wrote: »I don't know if they are required, not my area of expertise. However, have you considered using the machine that assists with pull-ups/dips and working your way with that to being able to do a pull up?
This is my favorite machine at the gym.
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Required no. The biggest bodybuilding backs in the world can barely do 4-5 pullsup because of weight (250lbs and up). They do a lot of pulldowns though.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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No exercise is required, but I would work to use them either through bands or an assistance machine. They're easy enough to work into a routine.1
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I don't want a big(ger) back but I really, really want to do pull ups ...although recurrent tendonitis is thwarting me
But no, no specific exercises is the only way to get to a goal, there are always alternatives
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If you can't do them, they are a great goal to aim for. Pull-ups are an awesome measure of your strength/weight ratio and anyone who can make them look easy deserves admiration. I worked up to it by doing hanging leg raises, then negatives and chin ups. My pull-ups are not pretty but I'm getting there.2
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Alternative way I help clients to do them is on the Smith machine. They sit on the floor, stretch up their arms and do a pullup, albeit with some leg help. As they get better, they use less legs.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition 2 -
I've set a goal for my 67th birthday (about six months away) to do the PCC Century Workout. I am quite a way from 10 pull-ups (another reason to loose weight), let alone after the other stuff and am using bands for assistance at the moment. Time will tell.2
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They aren't required, but I definitely think they should be a staple. Weighted pull ups are what I've been doing recently to stress my lats even more. I can only do 5-6 strict form pull ups with a 25lb plate. But damn do lats get a good workout1
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I have just recently worked up to being able to do 2 pull ups. I think I will be able to do 3 soon but not sure how long it will take. I am smaller so that probably makes it easier for me. I work out at home so I don't have access to all the equipment. I have a door mount pull up bar and I ordered an assistance band from amazon for not that much money. I started out doing them with the band. I couldn't actually do one pull up even with the band but I just made an attempt at one unassisted and then made an attempt with the band every time I did my back workout. Plus, it's in my laundry room so whenever I'd go down to the laundry room I'd make an attempt. Eventually I was able to do one. It took me a while. Maybe a few months. If I can do this you can do this. If you just avoid them you'll never be able to do them.5
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No. 264lbs is a lot of weight to pull up into the air. Even people with decent muscle would have a hard time pulling down just 200lbs if their legs were anchored.MarkusDarwath wrote: »
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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MarkusDarwath wrote: »
Definitely not embarrassed. I'm pretty fit and weigh 146 and I can only do 1. I'm certainly not embarrassed about it!
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Do you want a big back or a strong back?
As others have mentioned, you can start with assisted pull ups or do pull downs and work your way up (personally I can only do a couple - unassisted - which is more than I could do a few months ago, you'll get there....)0 -
Required no, but that should not be an excuse to not worry about working your way to doing several of them. Many big guys can still do a decent amount of pullups.0
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