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Pullup Workouts |
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Just find something to grab unto and go to it! Obviously, make sure it can hold your weight and that you won't fall to your death if it breaks loose or you slip off. The photos below are of our Executive Editor just using an old steel pipe that has been lashed between two trees.
You can use an overhand grip (as above), which works the shoulders and back more, or you can use an underhand grip, which tends to work the biceps and chest slightly more. This exercise has a nice range of motion and a sure way to count reps (and measure progress) - when your chin goes on top of the bar, that counts as a rep.
There are many people who can't do even one of these, so don't be discouraged if you struggle. For those of you who are attaining more and more reps as you increase your fitness, here is a worthy goal: The US Marine Corps gives full points on their semi-annual physical fitness test (PFT) if you can get 20 or more reps. Since we know you are wondering, the rumor is that the old Executive Editor up there in the photos has a record of 21 reps, using an overhand grip. And no, he was never a Marine, as far as we know, but you do have to respect the marine approach to staying fit!
Pullups are a quick, easy, efficient way of getting some strength training into your daily routine. If you do these daily, you will gain strength, muscle mass, muscle stamina, and get that "ripped look" in no time.
So go find a great spot to do some pullups, or get a commercial pullup bar and install it somewhere, and begin your pullup program today!