crazycanuck
Level 9 Valued Member
I have been working on pullups for what feels like...almost forever. BTW in saying that I am not expecting this journey to be quick, and have some questions I would love to bring over here.
Video below is from last couple of days. This is a max attempt for me, cannot do multiple reps at this point yet other than get back up on second attempt to elbows at 90 degrees.
Have previously worked on hollow position and to a 1 min dead hang, have used various things such as gtg negatives slowly lowering to the floor, or lowering and stopping for a 3 count at various points eg: at elbows 90 degrees. Recently started doing assistance work with standing on a chair, for the bottom part of the pull, like described in this thread How I got my first pull-up and more
With that chair work noticed a big improvement in that it helps me sense using my lats better, and also previously would have to stand on tippy toes when holding bar, putting shoulders in an engaged position and giving a huge assist that way in that it eliminates some of my weight, in video am trying not to prop up my weight just before pulling, and pulling overall from the bottom feeling easier and easier.
Vid looks as if I am chest to bar from this filming angle, but am not. If I recall correctly clavicles and chest are about 2 inches from bar, and tip of my nose touches bottom of door frame. This is where I have trouble, at this point feel like shoulders start to shrug up and lose engagement of the lats (am trying to think of pulling bar down to me, and elbows back/tuck shoulder blades "into the pockets"). Most days I attempt, I do not get this high, usually just bridge of nose to the bar.
Also I realize my bar is pretty high up and get this same "traps taking over feeling" when doing a negative (until about halfway before my arms get to a 90 degree angle). To do a negative I pull out a drawer, use that to get over right up onto bathroom counter, and guide my legs central and start the negative, I think if bar is lower that may solve that problem. I am preferring if possible to not put it so low as to do work for the top of the bar portion on a chair, bar would be almost my eye level here. I do have a free standing basement bar in a high ceiling joist that gets rarely used now, as this setup is much more conducive for things like GTG methods upstairs in my main living areas.
I know everyone here is so helpful and would love some more suggestions.....rings?Kettlebell rows (have no dumbbells) Continue negatives from the top with a lower bar, etc?
Exercise wise, other work I am doing is after a hiatus doing other things, a repeat run-through of reaching Simple (just first and last sets left to change in swings yet, getups been at 16kg for a long while), but really no other training or heavy physical activity, work shiftwork job which tires me/affects sleep at times, but other than these things no factors that affect my training. I have briefly tried some 3 days a week sort of pullup programs, but overall find GTG methods less taxing physically.
Thanks to everyone who has read this long tale, looking forward to all your wonderful advice!
Video below is from last couple of days. This is a max attempt for me, cannot do multiple reps at this point yet other than get back up on second attempt to elbows at 90 degrees.
Have previously worked on hollow position and to a 1 min dead hang, have used various things such as gtg negatives slowly lowering to the floor, or lowering and stopping for a 3 count at various points eg: at elbows 90 degrees. Recently started doing assistance work with standing on a chair, for the bottom part of the pull, like described in this thread How I got my first pull-up and more
With that chair work noticed a big improvement in that it helps me sense using my lats better, and also previously would have to stand on tippy toes when holding bar, putting shoulders in an engaged position and giving a huge assist that way in that it eliminates some of my weight, in video am trying not to prop up my weight just before pulling, and pulling overall from the bottom feeling easier and easier.
Vid looks as if I am chest to bar from this filming angle, but am not. If I recall correctly clavicles and chest are about 2 inches from bar, and tip of my nose touches bottom of door frame. This is where I have trouble, at this point feel like shoulders start to shrug up and lose engagement of the lats (am trying to think of pulling bar down to me, and elbows back/tuck shoulder blades "into the pockets"). Most days I attempt, I do not get this high, usually just bridge of nose to the bar.
Also I realize my bar is pretty high up and get this same "traps taking over feeling" when doing a negative (until about halfway before my arms get to a 90 degree angle). To do a negative I pull out a drawer, use that to get over right up onto bathroom counter, and guide my legs central and start the negative, I think if bar is lower that may solve that problem. I am preferring if possible to not put it so low as to do work for the top of the bar portion on a chair, bar would be almost my eye level here. I do have a free standing basement bar in a high ceiling joist that gets rarely used now, as this setup is much more conducive for things like GTG methods upstairs in my main living areas.
I know everyone here is so helpful and would love some more suggestions.....rings?Kettlebell rows (have no dumbbells) Continue negatives from the top with a lower bar, etc?
Exercise wise, other work I am doing is after a hiatus doing other things, a repeat run-through of reaching Simple (just first and last sets left to change in swings yet, getups been at 16kg for a long while), but really no other training or heavy physical activity, work shiftwork job which tires me/affects sleep at times, but other than these things no factors that affect my training. I have briefly tried some 3 days a week sort of pullup programs, but overall find GTG methods less taxing physically.
Thanks to everyone who has read this long tale, looking forward to all your wonderful advice!
... but rigging a counterweight / pulley system allows one to control the assistance with micro-precision (if desired). It requires no partner. It in no way compromises the mechanics of doing a proper pull-up.