Can you do pull-ups?

[makedah]

One of my fitness goals for 2003 is to be able to do at least one pull-up from a dead hang. I'm fat, so that's going to make it even more challenging.

Can you ladies do pull-ups? If so, how many?

 

[trailseeker]

I could maybe pull myself up a few millimeters, but then again, Im a wuss

 

[SteelWeaver]

Nooooooooo .....

I used to be able to do 2 or 3 chin-ups, but haven't tried in a while. It REEEAALLLY helps if you're lean, which I'm not.

Dips, on the other hand - NOW we're talking. I can do those.

 

[teresand77]

i can do about 8. i really think it depends A LOT on your body frame. i am short and have short arms and i think it's a little easier for me because i am not particularly strong at anything else.

but i can only do like 2 with a wide grip so those are what i'm trying to work on now.

if you work at it a couple of times a week, you will be able to do it easy by the end of the year!

 

[takniteasy]

There was a time when I would do 4 sets of 8-10 wide grip pullups with my training partners weekly but now I am lucky to get my current partners to even try them. Occasionally I can get a guy to spot me and give me a lil boost and get a couple sets out. What is it with pullups and women? This is one exercise that can really define a back and give it great shape. And doing pullups consistently will develop upper body strength like nobody's business!

 

[2Shy]

Makedah, I was one of those girls who could never climb the ropes/poles in gym, so accomplishing one unassisted pull-up is my long-term goal.

Between my bum shoulder and my weight, not sure when I'll accomplish it. I can't even do unassisted dips yet.

Short-term is solving my squat problem. I'm getting there on that one, though, so I know I'll master the pull-up someday, too.

I'm sure you'll make it this year. Just keep plugging away.

 

[KRS]

on my back day I do 4 sets of 8-10 chin-ups. It definitely is one of the best upper body strength exercise. I can only do maybe 5 wide-grip pull-ups. Although I haven't done either in a month due to boob surgery... My back day is today, and I'm going to give them a try. The best way to begin trying to do a pull-up just your body weight is to begin w/ an assisted chin-up/pull-up/dip machine.

I don't know if body frame has something to do with it. I have heard people say that. I have a small body frame. I'm 5'3, 112lbs, about 15% body fat. I have always been lean.

 

[edgecrusher]

Ladies, may I offer some advice? I train a couple of female athletes, and alomst all can do pullups. There are a few points, that i feel everyone should know.

Firstly, for pullups do not use the assisted dip chin machine. They are ok for training the lats, but the stabilizer muscles are greatly neglected. Eventually you may be able to ween yourself off of the machine, but it will take a while.

Next, if you do not have a spot, do negatives. Simply set a bench up underneatht the pull up bar, and use it boost yourself up after you have copleted a eccentric phase of the movement.

If you do have a spotter, use a simple progression. Begin by having the spotter hold both of your feet. After you become stronger, have your spotter just hold one leg at a time. This will help to train the stabilizing muscles of the upper back.

Well, i hope offered some advice that was beneficial to you all, and good luck with all of your goals.

 

[Bikini Mod]

Yes. When I eat enough I can do 3 sets of 9/10. If I don't eat properly than 6/8.

The most I ever did was one set of 18.... but that was a lifetime ago.

 

[Candi Barr]

I could never do chin-ups/pull-ups until about a year and a half ago, at age 42. Now I do 4 sets of 8 chin-ups, 4 sets of 5 wide-grip pull-ups. It is the only thing I can do that impresses the guys at the gym. I read an article about how to build up to them. First, jump from a box to the top position and do very slow eccentrics, 30 seconds. One rep was a set. When that gets easy, divide the eccentric into 3 stages and hold for 8 seconds at each position. Near the bottom is the hardest. When you've mastered that, try a chin-up or pull-up and give yourself a little push off the box to get through your sticking point. Expect this to be very hard. You will need to really push yourself. At first you will only be able to do one, so still do eccentrics to keep building up. I worked on it 2-3 times a week. My back development really took off, and it builds up your grip also.