Pull ups / chin ups

[Assburgers]

I can’t do one single one. I’ve never been able to. I installed one of those bars in a doorway in our bedroom a few months ago and can only dangle limply from it & then fall off. I really thought that if I tried every day then I’d make some kind of small improvements & eventually be able to do one, but no.

What am I doing wrong?! Has anyone got any tips?

You are all ace, thank you. So pull ups are palms facing away from you & chin ups palms facing you? And most people find chin ups easier?

I’m taking this all onboard & will report back! :)

You are all ace, thank you. So pull ups are palms facing away from you & chin ups palms facing you? And most people find chin ups easier?

Yes, but a lot of people also use them interchangeably. Also, according to your definitions,

Chin up=also called supinated pull up= palms facing
Pull up= also called pronated pull up= palms away

However, a really useful other grip is the neutral grip pull up on a pair of handles (ie palms turned in). Great bridge between supinated and pronated.

A trainer told me that although pull-ups should be easier as they are using the bigger muscles, most women have to start with chin-ups because they can't recruit them so well. Or something. She did. It took her six weeks to get her first chin-up.

Update: I’ve been to the gym! And the personal trainer (I got a free session) pretty much repeated what you’ve all said about building up your core etc, and planks (so many planks). I also had a go on the assisted chin up machine thing which was ace, felt like cheating but also felt like what it will eventually be like to be able to do it myself, IYSWIM. I can see the point of it as you feel which muscles you’re needing to use, as you gradually increase (your own) weight. Love it.

Not there yet but I definitely feel like it’s not impossible anymore.

Yay, well done!

I can now do two chin-ups! And a bit Used rows and lats machines to build back strength on pretty well every gym visit, negatives (jumping up and lowering slowly), and do a fair bit of core, push-ups etc anyway. The jump from one to two took ages, but three feels closer......