Quest for 20 straight pull-ups

A good plan. I've been doing something similar over the last few months. One thing I find helps is making those last couple of sets super slow (after all, you're only doing 3 at that point).

I make numbers based upon my current max and do 5 sets. For example, my current max is 12 so today I'm doing 11,8,8,5,4. Doing tons of volume is the way to get better at pullups, no doubt about it. Such an underappreciated exercise.

One last thing and this is a nitpick. Try to take the kip out and do a straight dead hang in between, even if it brings your numbers down. Increasing your strength throughout the range and being comfortable at the bottom of the motion will help you reach your goals faster.

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

A good plan. I've been doing something similar over the last few months. One thing I find helps is making those last couple of sets super slow (after all, you're only doing 3 at that point).

I make numbers based upon my current max and do 5 sets. For example, my current max is 12 so today I'm doing 11,8,8,5,4. Doing tons of volume is the way to get better at pullups, no doubt about it. Such an underappreciated exercise.

One last thing and this is a nitpick. Try to take the kip out and do a straight dead hang in between, even if it brings your numbers down. Increasing your strength throughout the range and being comfortable at the bottom of the motion will help you reach your goals faster.

I was going to suggest the same. Strict form will be harder, but will help more with strength.

The best program out there is the Armstrong Pull Up Program. Without question. Pull ups are a requirement in the Marine Corps and it is the program we recommend for anyone who needs to improve their pull ups for the physical fitness test.

rybo wrote: »

The russian fighter progression is a good program to follow too. Good luck.

cahubbard6421 wrote: »

The best program out there is the Armstrong Pull Up Program. Without question. Pull ups are a requirement in the Marine Corps and it is the program we recommend for anyone who needs to improve their pull ups for the physical fitness test.

Checking both of these out. Thanks guys.

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

One last thing and this is a nitpick. Try to take the kip out and do a straight dead hang in between, even if it brings your numbers down. Increasing your strength throughout the range and being comfortable at the bottom of the motion will help you reach your goals faster.

This. Good luck!

For the life of me I can't upload this file. It's a pretty small mp4 file. I keep getting the message "file not allowed."

Good idea. Critics welcome:
https://youtu.be/exntDeb_uMc

Thanks, I need to work on keeping my legs still as I get tired.

I don't mind a little movement to get out a few extra reps but it has to be small without extra momentum.

rybo wrote: »

Those are almost too strict if that's possible. lol

I couldn't quite tell how much room you are short on the bottom, it didn't appear to be much, I'm wondering if you could hold a hollow body that would allow your legs to be straight and still maybe not hit the ground? You'd get a ton of extra core work

Not much room at the bottom (about a foot or so from where my feet are: I have monkey arms). I hear what you're saying but I'd rather separate my core work from the pullups, which to me are meant to accomplish only one thing.

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

Thanks, I need to work on keeping my legs still as I get tired.

That's my issue right there. I'm forcing myself to just stop when I can't resist the urge to kick a bit. It is getting easier as I get a bit leaner too, but the leg movement needs to stop.

I wouldn't stop because of a little leg movement, as long as it's for only the last few reps. If it's all the reps I would focus on negatives (you can't kick during a negative), or even doing slow ones with an assist band (there's no shame in it, that's how I got started). Good luck!

Thanks for the tips @singletrackmtbr - I started with a chair behind me and toes resting on it for assists lol. I can do 10 now with near perfect form, 12-14 jerking around lol. I do need to do more negatives though. I've read those are excellent for strength building.

Anyway - did you send a FR earlier? I had a notification that you did, but no request showed. I tried to message you and kept getting "server errors"...

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

singletrackmtbr wrote: »

Thanks, I need to work on keeping my legs still as I get tired.

That's my issue right there. I'm forcing myself to just stop when I can't resist the urge to kick a bit. It is getting easier as I get a bit leaner too, but the leg movement needs to stop.

I wouldn't stop because of a little leg movement, as long as it's for only the last few reps. If it's all the reps I would focus on negatives (you can't kick during a negative), or even doing slow ones with an assist band (there's no shame in it, that's how I got started). Good luck!

Thanks for the tips @singletrackmtbr - I started with a chair behind me and toes resting on it for assists lol. I can do 10 now with near perfect form, 12-14 jerking around lol. I do need to do more negatives though. I've read those are excellent for strength building.

Anyway - did you send a FR earlier? I had a notification that you did, but no request showed. I tried to message you and kept getting "server errors"...

I did send one. Strange. Perhaps I've been banned. I'll try again. Great progression. 10 in good form is better than most!

LoL, I don't think you're banned. Sending one - I just wanted to make sure because I had not seen that before.

edit: Got it

riffraff2112 wrote: »

I like your idea and plan. Pullups are tough and so rewarding when you can actually do them. Trying to get to 20 is a noble and difficult endeavor...good luck.
Nice form singletrack! Awesome

Thanks, it's a work in progress!

Overall that looks a hell of a lot better. The first set was the best. You took your time on the up and down without any jerking, and hit a true dead hang in between. I say keep this your focus and try to slow down the time at the top (get a good squeeze of the lats there) and the negative even more. Pullups are awesome for negatives because if you fail you can just let go of the bar, where other exercises if you failed you're probably dropping a weight on your head.

I would be willing to sacrifice numbers in the beginning to keep this level of control. It will pay off big time later.