Chin-up issues... Might this go away eventually? page

[Sanctus Real]

I've been doing really well on my pull-ups. So much so that I decided I'd mix things up a bit and try chin-ups. I tried them a few days ago, but the arm I broke about 10 years ago started locking up on me, really painful. I barely managed five before I gave up. Today, I tried again, and the pain wasn't as bad as the first time, but it was still there. My arm never quite locked up, but it was headed in that direction.

I'm thinking, though, that, since I broke the arm so many years ago, and I've been so tender with it for the past 10 years, maybe it's just because my arm's weaker than it should be? Either that, or I'm going to keep trying and eventually end up injuring myself. What do you guys think?

[Bostonbully]

I don't know what you mean by locked up and I'm certainly no doctor but I would say keep working at them. I used to get pains in my left forearm while doing curls. It almost felt like shin splints. Anyways I kept working at it doing more curls and exercises to strengthen my forearms and today I don't have pain. I'm sure your not a doctor either but I bet if you keep at it you will be able to read your body and tell if things are getting better or worse. Good luck.

[Shell]

Speaking of doctors, maybe you should speak to one? Perhaps some kind of physical therapy would help. I'd hate to see you injure yourself, and that won't help you do the chin ups/pull ups either.

[Mike in Virginia]

I have a similar problem with a wrist that I broke many years ago. The doctors say that the break caused a nerve problem that can be resolved by surgery, but no way will I let them cut on me. I can still do most things, but pullups and chin ups don't make that list. So be it.

In your case, it seems that only an orthopedic specialist can really say what's going on. I'd recommend seeing one before continuing with the pullups and chin ups. It sounds like the pain might be something beyond normal exercise pain, and might instead be signaling the possibility of real injury if you continue.

[Sanctus Real]

By 'locked up', I mean my elbow just refuses to move. But if I let go of the bar for a second and stretch out my arm, it kind of pops, and I'm cool again.

I was just hoping someone would tell me it'll go away. I really love pull-ups, it's just the chin-ups that are causing me trouble. Should I go with just pull-ups until I see a doc? My orthopedist when I broke my arm didn't recommend any exercise for rebuilding my muscles, just normal activity, but I'm a chick. He probably didn't think that'd be important to me. Maybe when I tell a doc what I'd like to do, he or she can tell me how to get to that point or to just do lat pull-downs and bicep curls.

[Bostonbully]

By 'locked up', I mean my elbow just refuses to move. But if I let go of the bar for a second and stretch out my arm, it kind of pops, and I'm cool again.

I was just hoping someone would tell me it'll go away. I really love pull-ups, it's just the chin-ups that are causing me trouble. Should I go with just pull-ups until I see a doc? My orthopedist when I broke my arm didn't recommend any exercise for rebuilding my muscles, just normal activity, but I'm a chick. He probably didn't think that'd be important to me. Maybe when I tell a doc what I'd like to do, he or she can tell me how to get to that point or to just do lat pull-downs and bicep curls.

Maybe you should see a doctor. I go for check ups but that's about it. Then again I'm a hard headed guy lol. Wish I could help more.

[Abu Reena]

go to an orthopod and get a referral for some physical therapy. a few sessions with a good PT will improve this, assuming no major underlying problem.

[Sanctus Real]

This is so awesome! I was at the gym earlier, wasn't planning to do anything but a little cardio. I saw a guy using a parallel grip, and I thought, that might get me close to the chin-up. So, I tried it real quick. Did 10, no pain whatsoever. I'm still planning on going to the doctor, but I can do these in the meantime. (I'll have to wait for a referral from my regular doc to an orthopedist who will have to refer me to a PT before the insurance will pay. So, that means two, possibly three appointments until I figure this out.)