We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Pull ups hurt my abs?

msarro
msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
We have a pull-up bar in our apartment, and I occasionally just grab a hold and do a pull up to remind myself I can still do them. Well, same thing happened tonight. Except when i was lifting myself I noticed that it wasn't just my arms that seemed to flex - my abs also flexed. When I set myself back down my breathing felt a little weird, and my abs felt quite tight.

It just felt weird - any idea why?
Is it similar to when you bench press and your knee starts to twitch? That kind of thing?

Replies

  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    We have a pull-up bar in our apartment, and I occasionally just grab a hold and do a pull up to remind myself I can still do them. Well, same thing happened tonight. Except when i was lifting myself I noticed that it wasn't just my arms that seemed to flex - my abs also flexed. When I set myself back down my breathing felt a little weird, and my abs felt quite tight.

    It just felt weird - any idea why?
    Is it similar to when you bench press and your knee starts to twitch? That kind of thing?
  • superduperbandnerd
    superduperbandnerd Posts: 80
    your abs are just trying to make you ballance ,,,, i think:ohwell:
  • TheGuardian
    TheGuardian Posts: 53 Member
    it also depends on the height... if it's low enough that you have to bend your legs, that's a mega workout for your core (which includes your abs) to stabilize you...
  • nopogal
    nopogal Posts: 162
    You should feel it in your abs. Helps you do the pull up.
  • metalpalace
    metalpalace Posts: 576
    If you keep your femur at a right angle to the floor and perform the pull ups in a controlled movement you shouldn't feel any tension in your abs. The more hip flexion you create during a pull up the more you bring in the abdominals to stabilize your body.
  • astridfeline
    astridfeline Posts: 1,200 Member
    Dr. Oz says he does pull ups precisely because it works the abs-makes a more efficient workout so he doesn't spend all day at the day. Sort of like killing 2 birds with one stone.
  • metalpalace
    metalpalace Posts: 576
    Dr. Oz says he does pull ups precisely because it works the abs-makes a more efficient workout so he doesn't spend all day at the day. Sort of like killing 2 birds with one stone.

    One thing that I love about most calisthenics and free weights is that it gives you a chance to engage your abs and really give them a good workout without specifically targeting them.

    I'm a fan of Dr. Oz he is very honest and factual.
  • singfree
    singfree Posts: 1,591 Member
    It's really amazing how many muscles come into play with pullups. Until P90X, I was terrible with pullups. Now I actually enjoy them!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories