One day I want to do a chinup! page 2

[teach2183]

I don't think there's a good corollary between push-ups and pull-ups. I can do 15-20 real pushups but not even close to a pull up. I haven't tried a chin-up. I did see progress in doing chair-assisted pull-ups on Mark's program. I will get back to doing so after vacation and my energy returns.

Good luck!

[Jer37208]

For what it's worth, the day I got the email link to Mark's article on doing pull ups, I went to Walmart and got a pull up bar. I can now do 20-25 good form pull ups now before I tucker out. Seeing over the top of that thing the first time was a huge motivator.

[sbhikes]

Al Kavadlo thank you for posting in this thread and including a link to your blog. It's very helpful and uplifting!

[camel]

Wow thanks everyone for the replies! I'm glad I'm in good company in wanting to do this! Ok, now I want to do a chin up AND a pull up. I have a doorframe bar, so there's that! Ok, I'm off to check out links you all posted!

[Iron Will]

Although doing push ups is a great idea and an excellent way to build upper body and core strength, they unfortunately aren't going to help you with your pull ups/chin ups very much. With a push up the main muscles being used are your pectoralis major (chest) and your triceps (the back of your arm) while in a pull up/chin up the main muscles being used are your latisimus (back muscles that look like wings) and your biceps (the front of your arms).

Chin ups are definitely the easier of the two because your using more biceps than you are in a pull up so I would suggest starting off with a chin up (palms facing you)

As for exercises that will help getting you to do chin ups, you could try some of the following :

Bent over row
Dumb bell rows
Cable pull down
Inverted rows
Assisted chin ups (with machines, bands or a partner)
Dead lifts
Farmers walk
Kettle bell swings
Eccentric Chin ups

That's a few to try. There are a lot more but the key is to consistently increase your weights and change up your program every 4-6 weeks. Good luck and lift heavy!!!

[snoops]

ok, I read the thread title as I want to do a chimp and I was just checking to see what ever you meant by that! (I'm having some contact lense issues)

I, also, would like to be able to do a chin up/pull up!!LOL

[Wanderlust]

I don't think there's a good corollary between push-ups and pull-ups.

They are complementary, if you do perfect form pushups you will work your lats, abs and even biceps a little.

When you do dead hang pullups, your pecs, triceps, abs get worked as well. They are not the primary muscle, but they act as supporting muscles in the exercise.

[NicMcCool]

They are complementary, if you do perfect form pushups you will work your lats, abs and even biceps a little.

When you do dead hang pullups, your pecs, triceps, abs get worked as well. They are not the primary muscle, but they act as supporting muscles in the exercise.

This.

Also, I don't know if it's really been said, but the best way to learn how to do something is by doing it.

If you can't do a pull-up use a chair, just make sure the chair is behind you and your toes are faced down (knees bent, shins facing the ground). This way when you push off for help it'll drive your hips vertical keeping you in good pull-up form.

I don't fully subscribe to the idea of using bands as training for initial pull-ups because as someone mentioned earlier the negatives or holding yourself as you come down are just as important to building strength.