First Ever Chin-Up Check-In

S

Soosan

Cathlete
Aspriring to complete just one unassisted chin-up? Trying to increase the number you can already do? Need motivation and accountability?

You've come to the right place! Welcome to the Chin-Up Check-In where fellow forum members will be posting their progress.

For those trying to achieve that one rep, please see Briee's thread on a plan that might get you there: http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=279747&mesg_id=279747&page=2

(I've been in a meeting all morning and just finished lunch, so I will do my reps later this afternoon, followed by an interval workout and some yoga. I'll post again then.)
 
I would love to join your challenge but alas...I am chin-up bar challenged. I do have a modification that some people might be able to do, depending on their kitchen set up.

I have an island in my kitchen so what I came up with was to take one of my body bars and place it on the island counter and the counter parallel to it so the bar is spanning the walkway and resting on both counter surfaces. Now, lay on the floor facing up and reach up and grab the bar with both hands, keeping your body in a plank position, heels on floor. Now, do your pull-ups keeping abs tight, butt lifted. Once you get used to this you can add lifting one leg off the floor during the pull-up.
 
I am afraid of my DH's chin up bar. This may give me the courage to go talk to it. I don't know if I'll get the nerve to actually touch it though.
 
I don't have a chin up bar at home, but can try with one of the assisted pull up bars at the gym. How often are we supposed to do this? Also, if y'all don't mind, I might also chart my push up progress on this check-in, as I am push challenged as well. My goal is to one day (far from now) finish all of the push ups in Gym Style Chest and Tricep on my toes. I can barely do it on my knees!

- Diane
 
Robin....we will talk you through it. First just sit in the room and gaze at the bar, communing with the bar so to speak....being aware of each other's presence. The bar is NOT your enemy, it is your friend. Talk to it as a friend. Next....nonchalantly brush by it with one hand in the air. Physical contact is initiated. You can now advance to grasping it with both hands. This is a big step I realize. So for the next few days, just hang from it. You and the bar...hanging out together. At this point you will begin to LIKE the bar and the bar will like you. Once you get through this step...check back and we will proceed to the next step. OR if you feel real brave...jump right into the eccentric pullup step...I'm sure you'll be ready for it, and we're here to cheer you on!!!

Okay...so I finally made it downstairs Tuesday morning after putting it off for 3 hours. I did 7 chinups from a dead hang. I went ahead and did the rest of P90X chest and back - yucko. Keep in mind I've been pretty lazy this last month so this was a burst of energy and I was pretty sure I'd be in severe pain the following morning. I rubbed Emu oil all over my back to avoid the pain! It seemed to help as I wasn't too bad this morning. I'm going to skip doing upper body today, but I'm going to work on eccentrics tomorrow to see if this helps increase strength. The rest of my P90X sets I was doing only 2-3 reps and then using the chair (or bar in my case). I did some eccentrics on the last rep of all sets. These are SOOOO tough. My arms shake. Sooooooooooooosan...I'm sure these eccentrics will be your ticket. They are tough!! Cathe really gave me some motivation in the other thread. She's amazing!!!

Debbie....did you give it a try????

Soosan....report back as soon as possible.
 
Hey Diane....you must have posted at about the same time. Jump right in girl. To be honest, I'm loving this challenge because it's pushing me...I need a push about now!!

Briee
 
My first and strongest set yesterday was 10! I'm shooting for at least 16 by June. My subsequent sets where several 4's, and some 3's.
I'm trying to do them 3 times a week, and find that if I do them first thing in the morning I won't put them off.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
I worked on them this A.M. The under hand grip I am doing better. The over hand still seems such a long way off. I will get there!

Joanne
 
OK, but first I need a chin-up bar or good skinny tree limb I can grasp my fingers around.

I think I'm really going to work on this.
 
Hi all! No one told me NOT to do Gym Style Back, Shoulders and Biceps of the same day I attempted my 2nd try at the "cheating" chin-ups! Oh my goodness! http://www.aoe3paradise.com/images/smilies/faint2.gif I did 5 on Monday and thought for sure I would be able to do 6-8 nonstop today. Well, after the first three, with my body shaking BIGTIME, I realized WHAT muscles I used Monday to do them. Ouchie! I had to break it into 2 sets of 3 only accomplishing 6 total. But, I DID THEM! I didn't even realize I was sore til I went to re-use those muscles. So, mission accomplished for today. I am AFRAID what Friday will bring! YIKES! Good job everyone...we CAN do this. "See" you on Friday I HOPE! :7

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Hey chinup freaks!!! Sounds like this is gonna be a great checkin. Briee, girl you crack me up!! Also Briee, you and Honeybunch are sooooo impressive with your chinups already. I hope to be there one day.

Debbie, I know I specifically told you not to do Gym style BS&B, you just never listen to me!!! JK. OMG, I am sure you did feel that.

Now to my chinups. Yesterday I did 2. Just ya know casually walking by and thought I'd say hi to my bar. Today was P90X Legs & Back. I did 3 sets of 1 real chinup and then 5 eccentrics. I also did 3 eccentric wide grip pullups and 4 with a chair assist, 3 eccentric closed grip pullups and 4 with chair assist. Then I started with a pain around my shoulder bladex( x( and skipped the rest of back but finished legs and abs. The pain is gone now, I hope I didn't pull anything.

I'm gonna love this check in, cause I so want to be able to do more chinups!!! And you all are so motivating.

Catherine
 
Joanne...don't even worry about the "pullup" version - it's a stupid version anyway }( }( }( (I like to tackle one battle at a time). This is the "chinup thread"!!! Just do those eccentrics...that's the goal. I'm really interested to know how quickly this works for you guys - GREAT thread.

Melody...I just looked at your pictures...there are a million and ten skinny branches outside your cabin/home. You have NO excuse - and scenery to boot!!! Gorgeous home...do you live there or is this vacation only? Beautiful family too!!

Debbie....exactly what you described. I'm afraid of this happening tomorrow. Many times I'll have a great burst, but then I come back and can only do a few or smaller sets. I'm getting sorer by the minute. I think I'll go roll in the Emu oil as it's not doing what it's supposed to do quite as well right now!!

HB...how old are you (I was looking at DebbieH's pix - you look great-I seem to remember you were in the over 40 catagory, like myself)?? I am so impressed. You have the attitude it takes to get to 16 by June. I NEED this attitude right now. Just get it done girl!!! "I'm going to do it and ain't no one can tell me I can't" - attitude. Outstanding!! I've done 4 sets of 10 in the past 3 months (on different days of course), I feel like I lost it this past month and it's going take some strengthening to get back to being able to do that....but I want it back. Keep checking in - I need the "drive" back and you're really motivating me.

Hey sooooooooooooosan....results????

Keep in mind (as DebbieH stated...it's the second round that's the killer)

Briee
 
Briee or Honeybunch, how long do you rest between your sets. I can only do sets of 1 right now. But hey that's one more than I used to do.

And Briee, you are right it's the eccentrics that got me to be able to do a full unassisted chinup. It took me about 6 weeks. Looking forward to adding to my numbers.

Catherine
 
Hi everyone - I'm back! I've had three meetings today in between picking up kids, cooking, etc, but I did fit in my eccentric chin-ups as well as half of Imax 3. I'm going to do some yoga (Yoga X beginning w/balancing postures and skipping Yoga Belly) after I check in here. Then I have to feed my family, then on to another meeting! It's hard being so important {sigh}.:p }(

Anyway, I did six eccentrics at a 5-count. I think I could have done more but my shoulders were starting to hurt a bit and I want to be REALLY careful about avoiding injury because then I'd be nowhere. Friday I'll do as many as I can at a 10-count. I really wonder if, once I'm able to do three of those, that I'll be able to do a chin-up. If not, I'll increase my reps at a 10-count to six and then do as many as I can at a 15-count, then go from there.

Briee, you always make me laugh out loud! What was in your coffee this morning, sister? And SEVEN CHIN-UPS???? That is really amazing! (Side note to other challengers: Briee used to pretend she was an ecto until she got kicked out of the ecto group after confessing she could do a pull-up. That was before progressing to TEN!) How long did it take you to get from one to ten, Briee?

Honeybunch, you are in a class by yourself and I'm so glad you're joining us. You'll beat Cathe's measly 15 by summer.

Robin, Diane, Joanne, Debbie and Melodie - we'll get there or die trying, right?

Catherine, I'm really curious how long it's going to take you to increase your reps since you can already do one at this point.

Just out of curiosity, what do you all consider your body type to be?
 
Catherine!

You need to yell louder when you are talking to this hard-of-hearing Grandma! Ha! next time I WILL listen to you, promise! Good job on your success...I, too started feeling it in my wrists & shoulders and decided not to push any further. Boy, I guess all that weight hanging is a big challenge for the arms. Whew!

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Briee!

I believe HB is 56. Her & I celebrate our birthdays together in November! She ain't what you USED to call a Granny...you should see her perform! AMAZING! She killed my legs at the Ohio GTG! Hey, you got any extra Emu oil for me to roll in???

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Sooooooooooooon!

Notice the 13 O's? :) I can't even fathom coming down to a 15 ct. I can hardly do a 5 count. Mine is more like 3 1/2-4 at the MOST! I am dying thinking of 15 counts. YOU Gooooo!

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: Sooooooooooooon!

What chin up bar do your have at home. I have an older home and I am worried if the door frame will be able to handle my weight ;-)

I also must inform you that I had a traumatic experience with a chin up bar as a child - no joke! There was a chin up bar at my nanny's house when I was growing up and one day I was playing on it and doing a pull up when it fell. The door frame it was hanging on had a step down and I fell with my hip hitting the edge of the step (a metal edge I might add). I had a huge bruise, I mean like a foot wide, for months. I can't believe I didn't break my hip.

So, point being, I want a chin up bar that won't fall. Luckily there is carpet in my house.

- Diane
 
RE: Sooooooooooooon!

Oh no Diane! No wonder you're leary of using one! Yikes! I have the Power Tower. I was fortunate to buy it on sale for $80.00 I think at Dick's last year. It feels very stable and so far it hasn't indicated that it could tip or come apart. Good Luck...hope you can find one for a good price.

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: Sooooooooooooon!

Diane: What a story. That's scarey :eek: . I have a power tower made by ironman. My DH got it for me for christmas at walmart.

Sooooooooosan: I think I am an endomorph. I have t work really hard to be where I am and I am so sensitive to carbs. Although I do have some ecto characteristics. So I guess I'm an endo.

As far as how quickly I'll progress. I think I'll be able to do one set of 2 chins soon. Today did 1 & 1/2 (maybe 2/3s) But I can feel that I am getting stronger. My progress so depends on my attitude and my nutrition. When either of those suck, my progress sucks!!

Catherine
 
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