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Old 12-13-10, 12:38 PM  
bee1forfitness
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
I'm I that weak??

I just purchased a GoFit Assisted Pull/Chin-Up Station, I was pretty excited...this is one of my fitness goals to do pull-ups unassisted in 2011, but then I tried it OMG even assisted is so darn harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd. I just barely managed to do 1 and half using the band and a a high step (I lower my body down as far as the high step), that's really pitiful Is there hope for me???, I guess that's why professional/people always say, do all types of workouts. How can I swing a 35 #Kettlebell but can't even do a decent pull-up I'm feeling so bad and weak right now.
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Old 12-13-10, 12:44 PM  
PLS
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Missouri
Bee1forfitness,
When I was going to be 40 I set a goal of doing 1 unassisted pull/chin up by my Birthday. I could barely move myself up at first, but I made a point of every time I passed the bar to try to do one and by the time my birthday rolled around I did 4 unassisted full chin ups! So keep at it.

I find lifting heavy to be easy when that is what I am doing, but right now I am lifting high rep low weight and it is frying me. And when I get busy on the barre stuff well, that is tough beyond tough if I use good form! So Yep I think variety is key, but with push ups and chin up/pull ups I think it is also just about doing them daily, they do get easier.
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Old 12-13-10, 12:54 PM  
mspina
 
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Pull ups are HARD. Don't fret about where you are - you are where you are, just start working from there as your starting point! If you put your feet, rather than your knees, in the band, you'll get extra assistance. If you still can't do more than a couple, then focus on doing negatives at first to build your strength (do whatever you need to do to get to the top of the move, then SLOWLY, and I mean S L O W L Y lower yourself down). Use the band to assist during the negatives, then back off the assistance as you gain strength.

Good luck, and congrats on your new purchase!!!! Just think about how fun it will be to reach your goal.
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Old 12-13-10, 12:59 PM  
RedPanda
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by PLS View Post
Bee1forfitness,
When I was going to be 40 I set a goal of doing 1 unassisted pull/chin up by my Birthday. I could barely move myself up at first, but I made a point of every time I passed the bar to try to do one and by the time my birthday rolled around I did 4 unassisted full chin ups! So keep at it.
Wow! That's impressive.

I actually have a chin-up bar at home. I've long given up on being able to do unassisted pull-ups, but I had it installed so I could do the hanging leg raises which are in two of Tony Horton's DVDs.

Maybe I'll give your technique a try.
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Old 12-13-10, 01:14 PM  
tigerbaby
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Pffftt! Don't stress over it! I'm that weak too!

Seriously, I would not stress over whether you can do one but worry more about doing one right, with great form and engaging the right muscles. You will build strength if you practice consistently.

Like Michelle suggested, I started with putting my foot in the band and soon worked my way up to using my knee. Even though I was doing unassisted ones, it felt empowering still. Just keep on it and stay consistent everyday. You don't need to do many to build strength fast.

And since I stopped doing these myself several months ago, you've just inspired me to restart and add that to my resolutions for next year!!!
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Old 12-13-10, 02:21 PM  
bee1forfitness
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Thanks everyone you made me feel so much better, I'm going to use the tips you all gave me and keep at it
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Old 12-13-10, 02:23 PM  
bee1forfitness
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedPanda View Post
Wow! That's impressive.

I actually have a chin-up bar at home. I've long given up on being able to do unassisted pull-ups, but I had it installed so I could do the hanging leg raises which are in two of Tony Horton's DVDs.

Maybe I'll give your technique a try.
The hanging leg raises are for the abs right??
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Old 12-13-10, 02:26 PM  
pumptmuscle
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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The hanging leg raises are for the abs right??
Yes, they're one of the best ab exercises you can do. Keep at it Bee, you can do it!
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Old 12-13-10, 02:26 PM  
mmis29
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: MA
I've been working out for about 7-ish years and I can't even do one. Don't feel so bad, it doesn't mean you're weak at all!
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