Pull-Up Bars: A Great Upper Body Workout

Guest Post By Andrew Sheridan

Pull up exercises, also called chin ups, are some of the most important exercises for building the strength of your upper body, back, and core muscles. All that is required is a pull up bar, which can be an elaborate, free-standing piece of exercise equipment or a simple bar placed within a doorway. These pull up bars can be purchased online or at any sporting goods store.

Despite the fact that they are often overlooked by athletes, pull ups and chin ups should be an important part of exercise programs for people of all fitness levels. A traditional pull up uses an overhand grip on the pull up bar, while chin ups employ an underhand grip.

In order to do a pull up or chin up the pull up bar should be at a height that requires you to jump to grab it. To start, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, jump up, and grab the pull up bar. Once your feet are off the ground, bend your legs and cross your ankles for a more balanced position. Pull yourself up until your chin is level with the bar, and lower yourself until your elbows are straight. Repeat the movement without letting your feet touch the floor. The entire movement should be done in a slow and controlled motion. It is also important to stop when your form starts to deteriorate to avoid injury.

If you find that you can’t perform one full pull up or chin up, there are ways to build your strength to the point where you can do this exercise safely. Most gyms have pull up assist machines, which is a good place to start. You can also have a trainer “spot” you by providing a gentle lift while holding onto the tops of your feet. Static pull ups, in which you raise yourself into a “finish” position with your chin level with the pull up bar and hold yourself up, and negative pull ups (starting in the usual “finish” position and lowering yourself slowly) are also good ways to build your strength. Both exercises generally involve standing on a box to reach the pull up bar.

Using a lat pull machine is another way to build upper body strength if you find pull ups and chin ups difficult. With this machine, you stay seated with your knees held down while you pull the weight down yourself. It is not an ideal way to work towards performing successful pull ups and chin ups, but it’s a safe way to get started.

No matter what technique you use, exercises with pull up bars are great ways to develop upper body and core muscle strength and should be a part of any exercise routine.

For more information regarding pull-up bars please visit http://pullupbars.info

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