Many increased their pull-ups to 10-20 in two weeks. Here is what you need to try for a two-week period: -- Do your regular workout program, but for 10 straight days, do an additional 25-50 pull-ups. -- If you are only able to do fewer than five pull-ups: do 25 pull-ups for your daily plan below.
Pull-ups are so hard because they require you to lift your entire body up with just your arms and shoulder muscles. If you don't already have significant strength here, this can be quite a challenge. Because a pull-up uses so many muscles, you need to have the holistic upper-body strength to perform them.
Your muscular strength and endurance will improve
Assuming you're not already capable of doing 15–20 or more pullups in a single set, you'll see improvements in your upper-body muscular strength. This means that theoretically, you can lift more weight for the same number of repetitions.
It typically takes someone four to 12 weeks to train to do an unassisted pull-up. However, it depends heavily on starting fitness level and strength, as well as how often you train the movement.
Perform weighted pull-ups 2x/week (on one day, use a pull-up variation) for 3-4 sets of 6-10 reps. Start with 2.5-5lbs additional weight, then continue adding 2.5-5lbs more once you can successfully complete 3-4 sets of 10 reps with previous weight. Take a pull-ups “deload” or “easy” week after every 4 weeks.
Thirteen-year-old males are expected to perform three pullups. Fourteen-year-olds are expected to perform 2 more reps for a total of 5 reps for meeting the 50th percentile. Fifteen-year-olds are expected to complete 6 reps; while 16-year-olds typically do 7 reps, and 18-year-olds do 8 reps.
Action Plan: How To Increase Pull-Ups
Start with 2.5-5lbs additional weight, then continue adding 2.5-5lbs more once you can successfully complete 3-4 sets of 10 reps with previous weight. Take a pull-ups “deload” or “easy” week after every 4 weeks.
No matter where you are in your pull-up journey, consistent practice is the only way to move forward. How often you should train depends on your goals; she recommends at least three to four sessions per week and varying your exercises.
If you practice 1 or 2 reps with additional weight (10 or more pounds), bodyweight pull ups start to feel a lot easier. Your nervous system adapts quickly so that you can do more pull ups.
The pull-up is a full body exercise. So remember, a strong core absolutely matters.
After completing 100 reps for 30 days, he has gained almost a pound of muscle, with visible gains in his back, which is, in his words, "way more dense and gorilla-like now." The challenge has also improved William's endurance; at the end of the month, he has increased his max rep count from 21 to 25.
Men need to complete between 18 and 23 pull-ups on their PFT, depending on their age, to get full marks. Women need between four and 12 pull-ups on their PFT, also depending on age, to get the full 100 points on that event.
If you do pullups like I just described, 20 in a row is a great standard to aim for. The vast majority of guys can't do that. If you get to 20 reps, it tends to be a game changer for your upper body strength.
And if you can't do pull-ups, this may be why: Not being able to hold onto the bar through lack of grip strength. A lack of latissimus dorsi (large back muscle), spinal erector (lower back stabilizer muscles), abdominal muscle, and biceps strength. A lack of “mind-to-muscle” connection.
However, fit and active men should be able to do at least 4 to 8 pull-ups in one set. Fit and active women should be able to do at least 1 to 3 pull-ups in one set. Any number above 8 for men and 3 for women is very good. You are in the highest percentile if you can do 12 to 15 pull-ups or more with good form.
Because your weight isn't centered and you rely more on your upper-back muscles than your biceps, the wide-grip pull-up is generally considered the hardest.
Pull ups are a great way to work your back, your arms, and your core muscles. If your core muscles are weak, you won't have core stability and strength necessary to pull off a successful, non-painful pull up.
There are two main things that make exercises (bodyweight or otherwise) harder for taller people: Range of Motion–If you have longer arms, you'll have a larger range of motion necessary to do a pull-up, than someone with shorter arms. If you have longer legs, squats will require a greater range of motion.
To get stronger at pull-ups, you must build your base of pulling strength. Sweeping deadlifts and specialized row variations will get you there.
The chin up is the easiest variation of the pull up and is performed with your palms facing towards you, in an underhand (supinated) grip, this exercise allows use of the biceps a little more and is definitely the first type of pull up you should strive to master.