Alternatives to the Pull Up Bar? page 2

[sbhikes]

Nothing can replace pullups Now, you can do bent-over barbell rows to work the back (or bent-over dumbbell rows), for bodyweight you can use a barbell in a rack or a table, get underneath it, and do reverse pushups (or whatever they are called), but nothing physiologically can replace the pullups (which is probably the most "human" back exercise).

--Me

What about holding a plank and doing dumbell rows? Does that help? I do those sometimes but I can't do any pullups and it's not likely I ever will be able to. It's like I have to start not at square one but square 1 - 100.

[Leida]

But I bet you can do a negative. That's the place to start. Negative, then weighted negative. Even just hanging on the bar for a while isometrically will highlight the difference in the muscular groups and efforts involved.

Planks and db rows are great exercise, planks are better, because rows in most cases are done in the weight range where it's bicep that is pulling the weight, not back or laterals. If you can do a bicep curl with the weight you are rowing, chances are you are not activating the back.

[redskater]

well I bit the bullet and ordered a "Power Tower". It has a few different bars and handles to be able to do a variety of exercises.
It will be interesting to see if I will ever be able to do a real pull up, but I like the challenge!

[Navy87Guy]

Have you got anywhere to hang a set of rings? Outside on a tree, some hooks inside a door frame (with 8ft doors should be perfect). I travel with my rings and its really pretty rare that there is nowhere to rig them.

I'm curious about the rings you use when you travel. Where do you use them and how do they mount?

I travel a lot for business, so having the ability to conduct a workout on my own time would be great. Push ups and planks are easy enough...but pull ups (and a Grok hang) are harder...sounds like you have a solution!

Thanks!

Jim

[PureFunctionalFitness]

if you have the money, a trx suspension system, either a genuine one or a cheaper alternative like the jungle gym, or a home made system (see youtube) is fab for all the possible bodyweight exercises you could contemplate. If you make your own, just buy a door anchor attachment on amazon and you are good to go in hotels etc.

I love mine, one legged squats, planks with suspended legs and host more. The genuine TRX is not cheap but it is a good bit of kit if it saves you on a lot of other stuff and gym membership

[Judg]

I figured out a good substitute today and I am really chuffed about it. I looped my resistance bands over one of those laundry hooks you put over a door to hang clothes on, and pulled down on them until I was straining, and then held the position for a few counts. For me, this is even better than a bar, because I don't have the strength to pull my own weight up at all. As I get stronger, I can go down on my knees to increase the resistance. Plus I can easily throw both the hook and the bands in a suitcase for travelling. AND it takes up no extra room in my small house. A winner all around.

[Philosopher Dan]

I door pull-up bar and something like the LifelineUSA pull-up revolution would also have been good. Just use a chair to get up there, and don't go to failure!

Progressions on a power tower will work, too.

With time and persistence, you'll get there!

[sandstone]

I'm curious about the rings you use when you travel. Where do you use them and how do they mount?

I travel a lot for business, so having the ability to conduct a workout on my own time would be great. Push ups and planks are easy enough...but pull ups (and a Grok hang) are harder...sounds like you have a solution!


Thanks!

Jim

You can get a cheap set on Amazon for about 30 bucks- 2 rings and 2 cargo type straps that loop around and feed through a buckle, they sit in a mesh pouch about 8" square. Once I got asked at an airport check in what they were (theres some metal on the buckle strap that showed up on the scanner) but the guy was just interested and let me go through no problem.

I just fix them anywhere I can- a tree branch, garage roof, if I'm in a hotel usually there is often somewhere in a car park. It's very rare there is nowhere to rig them.

[Navy87Guy]

You can get a cheap set on Amazon for about 30 bucks- 2 rings and 2 cargo type straps that loop around and feed through a buckle, they sit in a mesh pouch about 8" square. Once I got asked at an airport check in what they were (theres some metal on the buckle strap that showed up on the scanner) but the guy was just interested and let me go through no problem.

I just fix them anywhere I can- a tree branch, garage roof, if I'm in a hotel usually there is often somewhere in a car park. It's very rare there is nowhere to rig them.

I'll check it out -- thanks!