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Pull-up assistance bands?

  • 21-03-2011 3:33pm
    #1
    Lemag
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,508 ✭✭✭


    Sorry if this has been posted here before. I used the new search system but found that it was of little help.

    I'm looking for someone to recommend a band for assisting with pull-ups/chin ups. Something compact. Also, info on where such bands can be bought. I'm in Cork city in case anyone knows of a shop here otherwise I'll happily buy online.

    I'm 66kg and can do 1 set of 5 full pull ups or about 10 full chin ups unassisted at the moment but that is when I've not yet fatigued my muscles through other exercises.

    Cheers.


Comments

  • #2
    radia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 360 ✭✭radia


    Iron Woody bands are the ones I've seen recommended most often for this, with good feedback. See here and here.

    On the other hand, if you want something cheap and cheerful just until you get enough strength for working unassisted, I've also heard recommendations for a mountain bike inner tube (see second thread above - also has other suggestions).


  • #3
    Lemag
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,508 ✭✭✭Lemag


    Just submitted the order for the Iron Woody bands. Thanks radia.


  • #4
    AntiVirus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,395 ✭✭✭AntiVirus


    Lemag wrote: »
    I'm 66kg and can do 1 set of 5 full pull ups or about 10 full chin ups unassisted at the moment but that is when I've not yet fatigued my muscles through other exercises.

    Cheers.

    If you can do 10 full chin ups you do not need assistance bands. You just need to do more of them.


  • #5
    Lemag
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,508 ✭✭✭Lemag


    AntiVirus wrote: »
    If you can do 10 full chin ups you do not need assistance bands. You just need to do more of them.
    Chin ups aren't part of my current program but pull ups are. However, they aren't at the start of my workout so when I get around to them I can probably only do about 4 for my first set and 2 for my second. That'd be 6 x 65kg. If I were to use the band assisting with, say 15 kg and I could do sets of 8, 7, 6, 5 which would be 26 x 50 kg. This is very rough as I know that the bands offer decreasing resistance as one's position is raised and there's a bit of guess work regarding my reps in each set as I've not got the bands yet but my point it that there'll be more work done with bands rather than without. I've used them before in my previous gym which had them and found them to be beneficial.

    Btw, if I incorporate chin ups into my next routine I won't be using the bands.


  • #6
    d'Oracle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭d'Oracle


    Bands are useful things to have anyway.

    I don't like using them for chins/pullups cos they don't feel right to me.
    Some folk swear by them, some hate them.

    I found more progress just by doing a heap of low reps sets between exercises. Worked better than bands for me, but also I don't regret buying the bands.

    Terribly useful things.


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  • #7
    AntiVirus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,395 ✭✭✭AntiVirus


    I still think you would be better of not using the bands. Why not try doing 4 sets of 4 pull ups at the start of your exercises first. Also everytime you walk by your chin up bar, do a set! :D

    You'll progress much quicker doing this than using the bands, you don't need the bands.


  • #8
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Lemag wrote: »
    Chin ups aren't part of my current program but pull ups are.
    What is the program? in some you can sub in chins for pullups. I used to start out on pullups for 1-2 sets and then switch to chins, this was to keep all my reps in the same range, i.e. I could do maybe 10 pullups but still manage 10 chins on my last set. You can also try mixed grip ones, one hand doing a pullup and the other doing a chin, and switch between sets. You could also perhaps try negatives on the last few reps.

    You could also do neutral grip pullups as a cross between them, if you have the facilities
    back-exercises17.jpg

    Dunno what the experienced people would think of extending a set by doing partial ROM reps for your last few.


  • #9
    AntiVirus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,395 ✭✭✭AntiVirus


    rubadub wrote: »
    Dunno what the experienced people would think of extending a set by doing partial ROM reps for your last few.

    Good idea and also you could do negatives or use your bands but always do your full unassisted pull ups sets first.

    Here's a good article about chin ups/pull ups etc.. It shows and explaines all the different variations that you can do.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/charles4.htm

    Good luck with your pull ups! :)


  • #10
    Lemag
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,508 ✭✭✭Lemag


    Thanks for the advice lads. My workout is about strength training with a bit of cardio thrown in. Most of my workout is with heavy weights (deadlift, squats, benchpress, etc.) with no isolating exercises. It aint all about the pull ups for me. I don't claim to be an expert in the area but I have worked out on and off for years and whilst I am not adverse to new ideas I know what has worked for me in the past. My body does be changing though.


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