Thread: Alternative to pullups?

15 is actually pretty good.

Just do 15, take a minute, and do some more.

At my gym there is a machine where the more weight you put on it you get lighter. I'm using that to get good at pull ups, wide grip and close grip. I can only do like 5-10 depending on what type of pull up.

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

15 is actually pretty good.

Just do 15, take a minute, and do some more.

At my gym there is a machine where the more weight you put on it you get lighter. I'm using that to get good at pull ups, wide grip and close grip. I can only do like 5-10 depending on what type of pull up.

The assisted dip/chin up machine? I find I have to do twenty more to get the same results though. Right now I'm using the side of a loft bed, so.

Hard to answer this question without knowing what your actual goals are. Are you strength training or working on the beach muscles?

If you're strength training, I recommend figuring out which part of the pullup you are getting stuck on (most likely pulling yourself up from the lowest point lol) and practicing that specific range of motion. Especially if you have access to an assist machine, you can balance out your weight and strengthen that range of motion to help yourself proceed with the full unassisted pullups. Do you have a goal, or are you just tired of being stuck at 15? Tying some 2.5/5 lb weights to your feet might help Might want to check out some programs like RossTraining.

If you're just focusing on inflating your muscles to look good, I can't really help you. Very high reps with lower weights will generally do it. Find an assist machine and go all out

Wow shift got inbetween a double post...very nice.

Yes, it is an assisted chin up machine. You do have to do more but it helps build up the muscles you'll need for unassisted pushups.

And you have absolutely no idea how confused I was to get the subscription e-mail of a response I read before I even responded and subscribed to the thread

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

Wow shift got inbetween a double post...very nice.

Yes, it is an assisted chin up machine. You do have to do more but it helps build up the muscles you'll need for unassisted pushups.

Right now I'm using a band(like the ones you put under your foot and lift up) as an assist.

A benefit of using an actual assist machine is that you know precisely how much weight is being used. You can keep track of your body weight and how much weight you're using to counteract it so that you can plan a program. At least that's what I've found.

Originally Posted by Shift

A benefit of using an actual assist machine is that you know precisely how much weight is being used. You can keep track of your body weight and how much weight you're using to counteract it so that you can plan a program. At least that's what I've found.

I had done that when I had a gym membership, but it ran out and I have to save up another 200 odd dollars.

Does your school have a gym?

Originally Posted by Shift

Does your school have a gym?

Sort of, it has a weight room but it doesn't have an assist machine, a row machine, or a pull down machine, which are basically my favorite.

Originally Posted by guitarboy

I find pullups extremely hard, I can do about 15 before I have to rest.
What is a good alternative to pullups(not push ups)?

15 is pretty good. I can only go as far as 10. Now, you know that pull ups is when the back of your hand is towards you, right? (sorry for a big pic). Pull ups are harder



An easier version is the chin up. I can do about 15ish of those. Palms face you (sorry no better pic really). Chin ups are easier





Do your 10 for one week every other day (or every day, doesn't matter). Then the next week, increase that my 2-5 (as much as you can do). The next week the same. That is how I get myself up for running (run 1/4mi, then next week do another lap, next wk another lap, etc). Or do your 10 for a few days, and then push for an extra 1-5 after a few days. you'll be amazed how quickly you can up your numbers. Or maybe do your 10, but add a few lbs of weight (get a backpack and put a few books in it and do your pull ups wearing the backpack)

erm...15 is actually pretty good. I can get maybe 6 on a good day. then again, almost all my muscle is core and down, so..yeah

Originally Posted by tkdyo

erm...15 is actually pretty good. I can get maybe 6 on a good day. then again, almost all my muscle is core and down, so..yeah

I've been weight training in my school for about 2 years so I've got a pretty toned upper body, but I still find pullups difficult.

Originally Posted by guitarboy

I've been weight training in my school for about 2 years so I've got a pretty toned upper body, but I still find pullups difficult.

Lat pulldown is the best alternative to pull ups, but for building lats I don't think it gets better than pullups. I especially like weighted pullups, I would suggest trying it if your school gym has a weight belt. Just strap a weight between your legs and do a couple sets like that, then take it off and I gurantee you'll get at least 15, then the next day you'll get more than 15. It will almost feel like you're floating up. It has the same effect as a donut on a baseball bat. You put the donut on to make the bat heavy while you're on deck, then you take it off when you're up and the bat feels light as a feather. Thats how I got my pull ups way up. In high school the number of pull ups I could do never really mattered so I never tried, now that I do try I can do 30+. It's all because of the weight belt.

I don't know your situation but it sounds like you've hit a plateau and there are several things that could be causing it.
1.) You only do one set of 15 and then quit
2.) You have bad form.
3.) You have no variety

I think the key to weight training is variety. And by variety I don't just mean the number of different lifts, I also mean the way you do a lift (Slow/fast etc.) It's easy to get stuck in a routine of doing the same thing every time you workout. You get results when you first start doing it but then it loses its affect after awhile. Anything that works the lats, upper back, and arms will help you. You should do more than lat pull downs and pull ups. There are other lifts that I do to work lats but I can't really remember what they're called. Sometimes you can make up your own lift, as long as it isolates your lats. Google lat work out and you'll find what you'e looking for. Just remember, variety is key.

Originally Posted by Caprisun

Lat pulldown is the best alternative to pull ups, but for building lats I don't think it gets better than pullups. I especially like weighted pullups, I would suggest trying it if your school gym has a weight belt. Just strap a weight between your legs and do a couple sets like that, then take it off and I gurantee you'll get at least 15, then the next day you'll get more than 15. It will almost feel like you're floating up. It has the same effect as a donut on a baseball bat. You put the donut on to make the bat heavy while you're on deck, then you take it off when you're up and the bat feels light as a feather. Thats how I got my pull ups way up. In high school the number of pull ups I could do never really mattered so I never tried, now that I do try I can do 30+. It's all because of the weight belt.

I don't know your situation but it sounds like you've hit a plateau and there are several things that could be causing it.
1.) You only do one set of 15 and then quit
2.) You have bad form.
3.) You have no variety

I think the key to weight training is variety. And by variety I don't just mean the number of different lifts, I also mean the way you do a lift (Slow/fast etc.) It's easy to get stuck in a routine of doing the same thing every time you workout. You get results when you first start doing it but then it loses its affect after awhile. Anything that works the lats, upper back, and arms will help you. You should do more than lat pull downs and pull ups. There are other lifts that I do to work lats but I can't really remember what they're called. Sometimes you can make up your own lift, as long as it isolates your lats. Google lat work out and you'll find what you'e looking for. Just remember, variety is key.

I'm working on my lats, pecs and arms, so I almost fell in love with the pulldown machine. But unfortunately, stupid people are aloud in the school gym, too, and the kid managed to break it. It's not getting replaced before I get out of here, so it's a lost cause until I renew my gym membership. I do general do them slowly, thinking it works the muscle more. I'll put variety into it. Oh, I normally do two sets of 10 and 1 of 15