What do you do if you can't do a pull up?

[DixieGirl]

My DH finally got a pull up bar and I can do a couple chin ups but can't get more than half way up on one pull up When I do STS back this week do I just struggle through w/ my attempt for the allotted 30 seconds? I've used the tubing and tower in past rotations but pulling myself up vertically is tough!!

 

[melagras]

Use a chair or two or three step ladder. Put your hands at whatever position on the pull up bar, put one foot on the chair/ladder and let the other leg hang. As you pull yourself up, put as much pressure as you need on the foot that is on the step. Keep the chair/ladder right under the bar. Once you get stronger, you can keep pushing the chair/ladder away until you no longer need it. You can find videos on You Tube of P90X workouts that use the pull up bar.

 

[REMeeks]

Hello! J/w to put in my two cents, at the gym I just joined, they use a resistance band that is quite long to help. They tie one end around the bar and you put one foot in the other end, then place your other foot over the one in the band. It is helps give you some momentum and you can still get full range of motion

 

[tralaiven]

I use my STS Tower and either put my legs out straight on the ground or bend them like table top and pull myself up that way. This is the easiest way to work on pull ups.

 

[ElaineP]

I use an Iron Woody Band

Here is a thread talking about them:

http://cathe.com/forum/f97/anyone-uses-pull-up-bands-iron-gym-pull-up-bar-284450/

 

[mspina]

I use an Iron Woody Band

Here is a thread talking about them:

http://cathe.com/forum/f97/anyone-uses-pull-up-bands-iron-gym-pull-up-bar-284450/

This is what I have done and it works BEAUTIFULLY. The chair trick works, but you aren't QUITE in the same position as when you are doing an unassisted pull-up. With the bands, you can put your foot in the loop or your knee (when you don't need as much assistance), and you are still in perfect position. You can get a selection of bands of different thickness, so as you get stronger, you can move to a thinner band (less help), until you don't need one at all.

 

[LizO66]

I purchased an assist band (much like resistance tubing, but it's specifically for a chin up bar) at Dick's. I love it! It's like having my own Vortex Machine!!

 

[DixieGirl]

Thanks ladies! I'm using a chair for now (found a tutorial on Scooby's site) but I'm going to look for the band too