Adding pull-ups to workout

workout junkie

workout junkie

Cathlete
So, now that I got my Power Tower for Christmas, I'm ready to start adding pull-ups to my workout. How do you all suggest doing this? Should I do as many as I can before my regular upper body workout? How does P90X incorporate them?

Also, I can do chin-ups (1 at a time with breaks in-between) but not pull-ups. Should I continue with chin-ups for awhile, do assisted pull-ups, negative pull-ups...? What's the best way to increase my strength to try and build up to doing a real pull-up?

Thanks for any advice you can give,
Melissa
 
> How does P90X incorporate them?
P90X chest/back uses pull-ups and chin-ups (with a variety of hand positions) for almost all the back work, in sets.

>Also, I can do chin-ups (1 at a time with breaks in-between)
>but not pull-ups. Should I continue with chin-ups for awhile,
>do assisted pull-ups, negative pull-ups...?

Good for you! I can't even do one full chin-up (but I can 1-arm row 40#.

You can try mixing assisted pull-ups on some sets(with one foot on the back of a chair, decreasing the amount of weight you put on that foot over time) and negatives on other sets.
 
Thanks kathryn! As usual you always give good advice. I'm going to cave and get P90X one of these days...probably right before they come out with a newer/better series.

I actually surprised myself that I could do a chin-up, especially since my workouts have suffered the last month. But no way could I do a 1-arm row with 40#. I guess we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

I will take your advice on mixing assisted pull-ups with negatives and hope that someday I'll be able to do 1 unassisted.

Have a happy New Year!

Melissa
 
Melissa,

I got my power tower about 6 weeks ago and since then have been doing P90X, which incorporates a lot of pullups and chinups. I do all of mine assisted at this point, although I can manage to squeek out a chinup now and then without assistance! I can already see a hugh difference in my back, especially my lats, and will need heavier weights, as I am doing one-arm rows with 35# right now. I love my tower!! My goal is to be able to do one unassisted pullup by the end of January, then go from there!!!
 
I just got my chinup tower for Christmas, so I started a P90X rotation this past Thursday. It's good to hear about Edie's results. I need that motivation to keep going. I did P90X back in the summer without a chinup bar and didn't really seem to see the results I expected. But I did vary from the rotation some too(well maybe alot) which I am sure also had to do with my results. I really think (almost completing my first week) that the chinups are going to make a big difference.

Catherine
 
I am also practicing chin ups and pull ups. I can do 2 chin ups unassisted and in a row. I'm going to work my way up to 10 hopefully. That may be a bit much to hope for. I may try doing negative reps for a while as well.

Just one note on this: do not try doing pull ups with the bar behind your head. It is dangerous for the shoulders and rotator cuffs. Always pull yourself up with the bar in front of you.

Also, what is a Power Tower? Sounds cool!
 
Hey Edie and Catherine - thanks for the inspiration. It sounds like I need P90X for some extra motivation. But until then, I'll just keep doing my own thing by adding them to my workout. I've always wanted more back definition and I know pull-ups will help.

Melissa
 
Hi Debbie.

A power tower is a piece of equipment that lets you do chin-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, dips, leg raises...

I got mine at Dick's, but you can do a search online and find different makes/models at many places.

Melissa
 
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