Band Assisted Pull-Up
16. Oct, 2009 
2 Comments
Using a band to help you achieve a pull-up or just to increase the number of reps you are able to do is an excellent solution to a problem most people have. When deciding to use a band to assist you; you will need to understand there are many thicknesses to bands and how the band will assist you. When a person does a pull-up the hardest point of the pull-up for most is getting started from the hang position. When you use a band; this will be the position when the band is stretched out the most and will give you the best assistance. As you pull yourself up, the tension in the band lessons. Most individuals are much stronger towards the up position of the pull-up. Having the band lose tension during the upward phase is a perfect compliment to the pull-up.
Choose a band thickness that will assist you in achieving 5 reps. Continue to train with that thickness of band until you are able to achieve over ten reps. You will now be ready to go to the next lighter thickness band and continue training with that thickness until 10 reps are achieved. Keep doing this until you are down to the lightest thickness and then you will be able to perform a full body weight pull-up with no band assistance.
It is so awesome to see someone who could not do a pull-up at all and see them progress through the bands. When they achieve their first body weight pull-up with no assistance at all the excitement and sense of accomplish that individual shows is priceless!
If pull-ups are not your thing-make them your thing. Start doing them and you will be surprised how fast you see your strength gains and fitness developments improve. If you have any questions about the bands or pull-ups; please post them in the comments are of start a discussion in the forum.
I remember those bands….damn thing snapped on me once.
Bret,
You bring up a great point about band training. You should always inspect your band(s) before using them. Make sure they are in good shape with no tears or rips. I have only ever seen one band break and that was because it was way over stretched. You should not stretch them more than double the band length. So if you are training with a 40″ band it should be able to stretch to 80″ with no problems. Also, make sure you only purchase layered bands like the ones we sell in our store. They will last you for years if taken care of. Never buy a solid rubber band. They tear very easily and they do not last long. I do not trust stretching the solid rubber bands out very far at all. I bought a bunch to save money once and I will never make that mistake again!