Pull-Up 101

The pull-up is one of the most fundamentally sound exercises a person should do.  My questions is then; Why are more people not doing them?  Go to most gyms and count how many people move towards a lat pull down machine but never even attempt to do a pull-up.  I honestly think it is because most people do not want to embarrass themselves because they can’t do one or might only be able to do a few at best.  I put this video together because a person requested some advice on how to properly perform a pull-up.  I hope this helps.

There are literally hundreds of variations to the pull-up and how it can be achieved.  But what if you can not do one single pull-up?  First, please watch the video and check out the body positioning that I teach my athletes and clients.  Then what I would have you do is to perform an “eccentric pull-up”.  What you do here is either jump up or have someone boost you up to the high point of the pull-up.  From there you want to concentrate on the upper back muscles and with a tight grip, lower yourself down as slowly as you can.  Try doing multiple reps of these.  These help make you aware of the musculature that you use when performing a pull-up and it will also strengthen these muscles.

There will be a follow up video to this which will show you the proper way to set up a training band to help assist you in performing a pull-up or to increase your endurance by adding multiple reps.  Pull-ups should be a common exercise found in your training program.  Do not get discouraged if you can not do a pull-up.  Think of it as a challenge to obtain.  When it is done properly and with a lot of effort; it can be one of the most effective exercises in your training program for developing your upper back musculature and making you stronger.