Substitution for Chinups

Runcrazy

Cathlete
Hi Cathe!
I had posted this in the STS forum, and since posting already did Disc 2, but can you recommend what I can do to substitute for chinups/pullups until I acquire some tubing or other apparatus? Should I do more barbell rows or double-arms rows or something like that? I want to make sure I do something that will be an effective substitution. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Jo
 
I'd love to know the answer to this question too. I don't have tubing or anything else to use for chinups/pullups.
 
I also need to know. I tried disc 2 yesterday, and I have tubing. The tubing didn't really work. I have the little door insert thingy too and it just kept sliding down. I didn't really feel that I got the most out of the workout without a way to do the pull ups.
 
I'd love to hear Cathe's answer too...

However, I asked my physical therapist this just a few days ago (I have bad shoulders and am looking for a substitution for that reason). She recommended lat pulldowns for both chinups and pullups. Hope that helps!
 
I'd like to know the answer to this, too. I tried the tubing (although I could only sling it over the top swing of a door), but it just isn't the same as a chinup/pullup. I had thought about using two or three tubes at a time for more resistance, but I can't figure out how to keep them together on the top of the door. I considered using the "string in the hinge" thing that someone else posted a link to, but DH (a carpenter/builder) about had a fit that I would/could compromise the hinge by putting that much pressure on it. He thinks it might twist the hinge - not good.

I have a sinking feeling that there is no good substitute . . .
 
Evelyn - they make a door attachment for bands that you can use. I think I got mine on Amazon (or you can just google "door attachment" and "bands" or something). It doesn't affect the hinge - it just rests above it (although I suppose if you pull down hard enough it could hurt it - maybe that's what your husband is worried about). But I should also mention that I have tried it for the pullup/chinup option in STS and it didn't work for me at all. I'm not sure what I'll substitute. There isn't any other exercise I'm aware of that mimics the pullup/chinup movement. I'm thinking I'll just do more of the lat pulldown moves with the band, since those are kind of fun and different. You can only do so many rows.
 
Elastic tubing for pull ups

I'm trying to find the one that cathe using in the video when she shows you how to do pull up on cathetv. I thought she said it's on fittness by cathe but I can't seem to find it.
 
Hi Jo! There really isn't a "perfect" exercise replacement for the pull up/chin up. They are an animal of their own and use a lot of back/core/arm muscles in different ways to get your chin to that bar.

If you have access to a local park/playground run over to those monkey bars and start "hanging around". No lie, hanging from the bar and attempting to pull yourself up for even just 5 to 10 seconds at a time will get those muscles firing.

If that is not convenient do a tri-set of the one arm row both horizontally and vertically followed by the band lat pull down we use in the discs for a warm up. When it comes to the band (double it up to shorten it, pull out to sides slowly and come up slowly. Spend more time on the wider portion of the movement...you know where you REALLY feel it ;)). Do three sets of these tri-sets. If your in Meso one do 15 resp of all three, if in Meso 2, 10 reps of all 3, and if in Meso 3, 8 reps of all three.

Good Luck!

Hi Cathe!
I had posted this in the STS forum, and since posting already did Disc 2, but can you recommend what I can do to substitute for chinups/pullups until I acquire some tubing or other apparatus? Should I do more barbell rows or double-arms rows or something like that? I want to make sure I do something that will be an effective substitution. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Jo
 

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