Pullups, are they possible?

[Andrea]

I have been doing negative pullups recently, and don't seem to be making much progress. I probably need to focus more and do it more than once a week? Since I only work my back once a week, that's when I would do them. I have read several article on mastering pull-ups. Do I need to be smaller? I am 6' tall and weigh about 160. Can I build the upper body strength over time to lift myself up?

I'm also wondering if it is harder because most of my weight is in my hips. My husband, who could lose 20 lbs. can do them. But men carry their weight in their upper body.

Any insight on any of this mess?

Thanks!
Andrea

 

[kathryn]

Pullups are tough! Have you tried negative pullups? Get to the "up" position (either by standing on a steady support or with the help of you hubby. If using a support, bend you knees so you are not supported any longer. Then lower yourself down S-L-O-W-L-Y. This will help you gain strength so you can eventually do some regular pull ups. (If you can do any regular pull ups at all, start with them and do as many as you can--1? 2?, doesn't matter--then add in a few negative pullups at the end).

 

[kristina]

Yeah, but they are really hard, especially for women. You're right that the more you weigh, and the more of it that is proportionatly in your lower half, the harder it is.
Keep in mind, if you haven't been lifting heavy in the past, you are going from doing not much to trying to lift/hold your entire body weight, with muscles that you don't engage on a daily basis that much.
I had to pump out 10 pull ups in 60 seconds for a physical fitness test years and years ago. My trainer had me do the negative pull up as follows: hold in the chin-over bar position for 60 seconds (dead arm hang) and then lower an inch at a time, 5 seconds per level. I did it three days a week, and in 5 weeks I could do the pull-ups. For that very brief period in time!
Now I am older and lazy...I use the dip machine at the gym because you get to use a counterweight.

 

[jackie7]

RE: Thanks for the info

I have been wondering how to build to a pull up. Even wrote in with no response. Thanks

 

[kristieschultz]

They are possible. I got to where I was able to do 5 full pull-ups a couple of years ago when I was in fairly good shape. I'm 5'2 and at that time I weighed about 120. Right now I'm about 7 lbs over that weight and I can barely do one pull-up, but only because I haven't been focusing on it!! BUT, once a week is definitely not enough. Try to find a place around your house, like a park with bars or even buy one of those pull-up things and install it at your house and try to do them a little every day. Don't even consider it part of your back work-out. It will just take you a few minutes every time you do it. At first just hang up there for a few minutes and lower a little farther each time, you'll get it, but do it at least 4 or 5 times a week. It is easier to do them with your palms facing each other like on some rings at the park or something. Doing them with a wide grip with palms facing forward is much harder but great for your back. Even if you get to where you can only do one pull-up just keep doing it 4 or 5 times a week and eventually you'll be able to do more.

They ARE very hard but VERY doable! Just like regular push-ups - some people think those are soooo hard, but once you start doing them they get a lot easier!!

 

[Andrea]

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to try doing negatives every other day with the 60 second and then 5 second lowering. I do have a pullup bar I have been doing slow negatives on.

Andrea