Can you do a Chin up?

1) used to be able to do 20 before i stopped going to the gym and put on all this weight.... havn't tried recently but id be happy with 5 haha

2) chinups use mostly arms with upper back and core. so forearms, bi's, tri's, shoulders, back, abs.... you would be best off finding those assisted chinup/dip machines at the gym that you can rest your knees on and take away weights as you improve

http://www.negharfonooni.com/2011/12/how-i-stopped-sucking-at-pullups.html

This helped me a lot.

Also, I used a pull up band not a machine to get me there.

I was never able to do chin ups, not even as a kid (not even in my skinny phases). I've put in a lot of work on them though in past few months and I can do 5 unassisted now, a couple wearing weights, and a whole bunch using even a 5 pound band. I'm trying to get to 10 unassisted but I've been nursing a bicep injury for the past 5 or 6 weeks that makes them painful. I think without the pain I could probably do 6 or 7, so I hope to hit my goal soon.

Chin ups are harder for women from what I understand, but they are hard for everyone. I suggest not feeling bad that you can't do one now, but make it your mission to be able to do 2 or 3

Last night I attempted my first Chin up. Failed miserably.

I can't do one neither lol

I don't think I was ever able to do one, as at 33, I'm in better shape now then I ever was and I still can't do one. To be able to do a chin up is actually a goal I set for myself with my trainer. We started working together about 2 months ago, 3 times a week (I do cardio on my own every other day). I chose a chin up as a goal as it involved not only making sure your weight is in check (you have less to lift), but core and upper body strength, which I had none of. I'm not there yet, but there has been huge improvements.
- Push-ups: I used to be able to do 2 per set, and I'm at 12.
- Plank: I could last 20sec, and I'm at 2min.
- Assisted chin-up (machine using your weight as counter balance): I went from a set of 10 at 140 (I'm 5'10'', 160lbs) to sets of 10 at 100.

So, in my case, it's a work in progress...

Here is a good You Tube video on pull up progression.

http://youtu.be/76HjVOoUX6U

Another good program to do them:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/pullups-for-total-beginners/

Both are very good programs for helping your back, shoulders, arms get strong enough to do pull ups/chin ups.

Enjoy! And out of curiosity, let me know when you get one done. I'd really like to know how long it takes....

I can do 1 chin up. I still am overweight so its exciting.

I bought a bar that goes on my door and every time I walk past it I try to do one. I felt myself getting stronger and finally one day I did one. I still do this every time I walk by now hoping for two.

Good luck!

THAT is awesome!

I can do 1 chin up. I still am overweight so its exciting.

I bought a bar that goes on my door and every time I walk past it I try to do one. I felt myself getting stronger and finally one day I did one. I still do this every time I walk by now hoping for two.

Good luck!

I have a bar at my door as well. It took me a while, but I can now do two in a row. I started with under hand grip ( much easier) I still cannot do over hand grip. I also started with just hanging off the bar for a count of 10-15, to get my arms used to hold my weight. Or jumping up, and lowering the body very slowly without putting feet on the ground. Hold for a few seconds then repeat.

It's exciting when you can get one done. Keep working on it and it will get easier. good luck to everyone trying. New goal - 5 in a row

Are you doing the palms facing you grip or pals away. The version you are doing will impact the main muscle groups being used and determine the best way to improve. I ussed to do the palms away "pull-up" as opposed to the palms towards "chin up". I was up to doing over ten, but an elbow injury has taken them out of the list of exercises I can perform.