Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 16:54:38 -0500 From: "Wade Hanna" Subject: Re: Strength_List: weak lats Tommy, There is no sub for pull-ups IMO. Try to start with an underhand grip at first, pull a bench under you so you can cheat a little with your feet. Just keep doing them though...unfortunately that is the only way to get stronger at them. Just make sure you keep your chest high (like you do for SQ and DL) when you pull so you can take the stress in your back, otherwise you are just working your arms. I start every workout with at least 2 sets of pull-ups...gets my back warmed up and it is an amazing assistor for deads. Will strengthen you middle back like nothing else. Just stick with them and set a goal to add just 1 rep unassisted per week. Before you know it you will be racking off sets left and right. Just keep at em' and they will come. Last tip, don't let your shoulders stretch out at the bottom. This will take the tension off your lats and do a number on the shoulder joint. It is almost like keeping your elbows in front of you slightly...like an elbows in BP except you are pulling instead of pushing (this is for the overhand grip). Tight arch ~in the shoulders~ and squeeze your shoulders blades together and down as you come up. You'll know it when you feel it. Good luck and keep at em'!! __________ - -wade of BORG > I found a definite weakness tonight. I tried to do a pull-up instead of > pulldowns. Operative words in that sentence are "tried" and "a". I > couldn't do a single body weight pull-up. I can do 5x10@140 on pulldowns, > yet I can't do 1 pull-up at 210?? What shall I do to correct this problem? > Pull-ups aren't the answer yet, I can't do them! I already do heavy > shrugs and barbell rows. If it would make any difference to my performance > on pull-ups, I just finished 5x5DL's at 80% and 3x5RDL's. > > Tommy O'Brien > obrienta@iserv.net The most recommended method I've come across is to lower to the top of the chest. This provides an excellent ROM but not the potential dangers of behind the neck. -- Mark LukeMann wrote in message <20000322142638.13541.00001543@ng-bj1.aol.com>... >Ok everyone I see doing this at the gym seems to be doing it wrong. >I was resting after doing some weighted hypers and I see this guy >doing his presses. He puts the weight up and then brings the weight >just about an inch below the top of his head. Looks like maybe an >entire 6 inches of movement. I tend to bring the weight all the way >down and touch my shoulders with the bar and press all the way >back up. Am I missing out on some secret? Do these people have >bad shoulders or maybe they just think it looks cool? Anyway it >wouldn't bug me, but everyone seems to be doing it differently than >me! > >Help, >Luke