LightsCameraMe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wow, never knew you could excersize like that.

mercola (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Drilling is essential otherwise it won't support your weight.

MirageRC3 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thanks Dr.Mercola! I usually can't even do 2 of them at the gym. I'll definitely check this out. You have to drill them in though?

DeFo06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Pullup = back muscles Chinup = biceps/back

Megile (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Good workout. Chins are fantastic, but difficult for beginners. Try rack chins if you struggle with full chins. They are some what easier and allow you to maintain strict movement across the sets.

mercola (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Don't need to build up callous on your hands. Just use a bar with foam padding like the one I illustrate

wurlybird9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Secondly, you'll probably start with just one or two reps....do as many sets as you can. Not just three, do several. Your bodyweight is a lot compared to using machines. But by hanging freely, the mechanics differ...you're less likely to injure yourself, so go ahead, tough 'em out, over, and over...grunt if you have to :) Pullups pulled me right past my plateaus on machines like pulldowns and rows. (try different angles for different back muscle involvement...)

wurlybird9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ok, just another tip. I can't help it, I am really excited about pull-ups...they're a great way for most athletes to get a complete upper body*** To start, just hang, as long as possible. That alone strengthens the grip. It helps you stretch too. I still hang between exercises. Can also swing shoulders, twist obliques, leg lifts to strengthen abs and hip flexors...all while improving the grip. I have naturally soft hands and it took me a while to build up some callous!

wurlybird9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

one last comment since I've got to keep them short. It certainly does do wonders for grip strength. As a keyboardist and guitar player, I can appreciate that. By building forearm muscles and stretching the tendons, I also find relief from computer-related RSI (carpal tunnel). Don't worry so much about your bench press, build a strong back, you want emphasis to be on muscles that pull you upright, not hunch you forward. It will certainly help you in your posture.

wurlybird9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I've never really done the towel thing, I need a stronger and longer towel than the gym towels where I work out. I really ought to bring one sometime. I think variety is the best, as long as you have the time, you want to work the muscles from as many angles as possible, depending on whether you use bars, dumbbells, cables, etc....the muscle will experience highest stress at different points of the range of motion.