Pull-up/Chin Up Alternatives?

If you're using the bands you're going to need a variety of them. I have a set that I bought from Sports Authority that works great for me. It's got handles that allow you to change the weight of the band as you need to. You will find that as you grow stronger you will need a heavier band so the interchangeable handles work great. I started with a 30 pound band and am now up to a 90 but I need to go higher. I bought the single band handles but will be buying handles that allow up to three bands. Then I can mix and match my bands to get the right amount of resistance.

ETA: I think the bands I have are U-Line brand but any that have the interchangeable handles would be a good option. When you start getting stronger and the band isn't cutting it for you, you can also try moving back. This ups the tension a little bit and makes it harder to pull. I wouldn't be able to get any burn from a 30 pound band now though no matter how far back I move! There just comes a time when you need a higher weight. They do work though! I am going to get a pull up bar and transition to actual pull ups now because I found I'm strong enough to do them and it's from using the bands. Good luck!

Can't you use dumbells? Hopefully you can b/c I am going to do it this fall and I won't use bands, I dislike them.

Can't you use dumbells? Hopefully you can b/c I am going to do it this fall and I won't use bands, I dislike them.

Cheri, you can use dumbbells for all the weight exercises in P90X, but not as a substitute for pull ups/chin ups.

Mike, what about dips? Would those work (ie: arms on a bench, feet on a stepper, and dip)...??

No, dips work primarily your triceps, and a bit of chest and shoulders.

Take a look here, click on Lats to see a variety of exercises for that muscle group. You'll notice it's mostly pull-ups/chin-ups and lat pull downs: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Hi there, I'm just starting out on the p90x system and wondered if anyone has any tips / suggestions for alternatives for the pull-up/chin-ups? I don't want to purcahse the pullup bar, and I have resistance bands however gave them a try yesterday evening and It hought they were going to snap and I still wasn't feeling a workout. I've heard you can also do wide push ups to get the same results.

Thanks

This is something I do with clients. Stand in front of a rail. While holding on to the rail with palms down, squat down till your quads are parallel with the floor. Now from the position, pull yourself towards the rail using only your arms! Don't stand up. If done right you'll feel it in your back.

Hello, I'm concerned about bands snapping too. I've had one band snap on me and I accidentally punched myself in the face when it happened. The Braided bands seem to be a little better. usually, it's put together with three bands and if you feel one band snap, then the other two are still there so you don't end up doing what I did. These are available on Amazon.

Sports authority also has these interesting bands where you can buy the bands seperate from the handles. And the handles allow you to hook in as many as three bands.

I also have a door anchor that allows me to hook the bands into any door. It looks like a hacky sack with a loop. Good luck.