Pullups are a signature Freeletics exercise, but they’re by no means easy. Not everyone can jump straight into perfect Pullups first time, which is why we’ve compiled the specific exercise variations you should focus on to develop the strength and technique necessary to perform the perfect Pullup.
Passive Hang
A good place to start is getting used to being on the bar by simply hanging. This exercise will develop grip strength and shoulder stability and it couldn’t get much simpler; just hang from the bar using a grip of your choice first for 30 second sets, before extending to 60 seconds.
Jumping Pullups
The simplest variation is the Jumping Pullup. This is great for building the initial strength needed to perform a Pullup as the muscles are always stronger during the eccentric (lowering) part of the movement. These can also easily be made easier or more difficult by adjusting the speed at which you lower yourself.
To do a Jumping Pullup...
- Grip the bar shoulder-width apart.
- Jump with your chin over the bar or use a box to bring yourself to the height of the bar.
- Lower your body very slowly and controlled by straightening your arms.
Once you can manage 5 sets of 5 repetitions with at least a 5 second descent, progress to...
Assisted Pullups
These are the perfect way to practice the full range of motion of the movement with a little assistance.
To do an Assisted Pullup...
- Attach a resistance band to a pullup bar and rest one knee in the band.
- Grip the bar shoulder-width apart.
- Pull yourself up so that your chin is above the bar.
- Keep your shoulders down away from your head.
You can adjust the difficulty of this exercise by using stronger or weaker resistance bands. Generally, the thicker the band, the more assistance it will give you.
Once you’ve mastered five sets of 8-12 Assisted Pullups, it might be time to move on to that iconic Freeletics exercise, the Pullup.
Pullups
The Pullup is a comprehensive upper body exercise, challenging every major upper body muscle group. Being able to do just a few repetitions is a sign of considerable upper body strength.
To do a Pullup...
- Grip the bar shoulder-width apart and the arms fully extended.
- Pull yourself up to get your chin over the bar.
- Try to keep your shoulders down and away from your ears.
- Lower yourself under control until your arms are extended.
Let’s recap
Pullups are never out of reach - simply adjust the exercises to your level. Passive Hangs, Jumping Pullups and Assisted Pullups are all great places to start when it comes to upper body training. With these adaptable variations, there’s no excuse for not training your upper body.
