How to Learn to Do a Pull Up?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
March 7, 2010 12:11am CST
I'm trying to improve my upper body strength with things like push ups and pull ups. I can do 5 push ups, so at least I am able to do a few to build up. But today I tried to do a pull up, and realized that now I cannot even do one. If I cannot even do one, where can I begin so that I can work out the muscles needed? What types of exercise should I be doing?
4 responses
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
7 Mar 10
I have seen people doing pull ups with a chair in front of them.
You have the chair just close enough so that your foot can help you while it touches the chair.
After a few days you should find you can do some without it and you can work up from there.
I remember we had a single pull up bar on the door for a while and I could only do one to start with. I didn't know about the chair then but I did manage to improve my strength just by perseverance back then.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
9 Mar 10
Oh interesting. That would be good if the bar was easier to grip. I'm just afraid that when I get tested on pull ups though, I'll have the difficult bar. However, it wouldn't hurt to practice at first with one that is easier to hold onto. I'll see if I can get one of those and if it will fit my door frame.
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
8 Mar 10
WE bought one of those pull up bars that is shaped to fit over the door frame last year.
Much nicer to use than the straight across kind.
It hooks onto the wood frame and you can just unhook it and put it away,no fastenings or screws and it has different ways to hold your hands.
It is my husbands really but I have tried it a couple of times and it is nice to have the different choice of grip.
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
7 Mar 10
Personally, I do believe that the only way to streghthen the muscles to do a pull up is to continue trying to do a pull-up.
To me, the best technique is too grab the bar with your hands so your palms are facing you, than stand on your tippy toes and atleast try to get your feet off of the ground.
Continuous push ups should also help, but keep practising the pull-up, it'll come!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
8 Mar 10
Thanks, this gives me hope! I tried grabbing the bar both ways, but I'll continue to try with the way you suggest.
I think I need to find a shorter bar though, because this one I had to jump up and grab it. I know we have other parks out here with shorter bars though, so that won't be a problem. Then I can do the tippy toe method like you suggest.
I just have to remind myself that 9 months ago I couldn't even run one mile. So if that has come with time, so can pull ups!
