How to Rapidly Increase Your Pull-up Numbers in 3
Months or Less
A Complete Pull-ups Workout Program to Help You Shatter Your Personal Record
and Dramatically Improve Your Pull-ups Performance
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpmphotos/
If you want to strengthen your arm and back muscles, spread your wings (lats) to create
that V-tapered back appearance, and increase that critical vertical pulling strength that
everyone needs, AND if you want a laser-focused pull-ups program that was created
exactly for improving your pull-up numbers, then you’ve come to the right place. Below,
you’ll find a complete workout program with several pull-up workouts that you can use to
accomplish these goals.
How I Went From 6 Deadhang Pull-ups to Over 30 in Only 3 Months
Back when I was in high school, I followed a 52-week workout program right out of the
book Maximum Fitness : The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Cross Training. Over the
next three months, while following the first training cycle, I increased my pull-up numbers
from a maximum of 6-7 reps to an astonishing 31 reps – my all-time record. I was pretty
happy when I hit 20 reps for the first time, but when I crossed that big 30, well, it was
pretty cool.
Now, 30 pull-ups might not seem all that impressive with some fitness trainees regularly
nailing sets of 50 or even 100 kipping pull-ups in a row. But here’s the thing. These were
deadhang pull-ups, and being able to perform 30 deadhang pull-ups is almost unheard of
– even today. I studied up on basic pull-up technique, and while I didn’t understand the
nuances of this movement at the time, I did make sure to follow the basic
recommendations outlined in most exercise textbooks.
I’m confident that anyone who is healthy and of normal weight could approximate my level
of success, and today, I’m going to share my complete program for how to rapidly
increase your pull-up and chin-up numbers.
The “Over 30 Pull-ups in 3 Months” Complete Workout Program
You could cheat and just follow the pull-up workouts in the book I used, and that would
probably work out just fine, but not everyone wants to train like a Navy SEAL. So, I’ve
outlined what I would recommend for a complete pull-ups program, and it’s a little different
than what you’ll find in the book.
But what if I can’t even do 5 pull-ups? Heck, what if I can’t even do ONE?
Whatever your level of conditioning or skill, you can start using this program to start
building your pull-up strength – whether you can already do 30 pull-ups or even if you
can’t do a single pull-up. The following program can be modeled using any of the following
exercises:
Beginner level 1: flexed-arm hangs
Beginner level 2: negative repetition pull-ups
Beginner level 3: the many forms of assisted pull-ups (partner-assisted, band assisted, or
jumping pull-ups, etc.).
Intermediate level 4: deadhang pull-ups (ie traditional pull-ups)
Advanced level 5: weighted pull-ups
Whichever level you’re able to do comfortably and with good technique, you should start
the first month using that particular technique, and work your way up to the next levels, if
possible.
Pull-ups Workout Program - Month 1: Grease the Groove Technique
For the entire first month, the most important thing you can do is practice pull-up
technique as frequently as possible. You can do this using the grease the groove
technique, which is very simple. Several times each and every day (5-6 days per week,
1-2 days off), perform a sub-maximal set of pull-ups. Your goal should be to do as many
pull-ups as possible throughout the course of each day. However you accomplish those
reps is up to you, but here are some things to keep in mind to maximize your results.
Your goal should be to do more pull-ups than the day before – every single day you
grease the groove. You’re slowly building volume over the course of the month. One other
thing to keep in mind is that increasing intensity/effort is NOT the key this month. Fatigue
is to be avoided, no matter how tempting it may be. Put your effort into your other training
workouts. Hold back on the effort until month two. You’ll be glad you did.
The number of repetitions you do each set is dependent on two things:
1) your perceived level of maximum reps (% of max)
2) the amount of sets you’re planning on doing throughout the day.
If you only do a handful of sets throughout the day, then your repetition amounts should be
higher (but never higher than 60% of your max reps per set). On the other hand, if you do
a ton of sets throughout each day (ie 10-20+), then stay down in the 20-40% of maximum
effort range – even as low as 1-3 reps per set is fine. So, the more sets you do throughout
the day, the lower the repetition amount should be each set.
Keeping your technique solid is of paramount importance and will directly transfer over
into better performance once we get into months two and three. Follow the instructions in
my video about how to do pull-ups with perfect technique and start doing them in this way
from day one. Of course, on your actual first day – perform your first set as a test to find
out what your max is.
Get out a sheet of paper and post it somewhere you’ll see it regularly (or keep it in your
wallet/purse), and use that to record the actual number of pull-ups you’ve done each day.
Then break that record the next day.
Most people will notice a huge increase in their pull-up numbers just after month one
(often over double what you started at), which usually astonishes them because although
it required frequent practice, it did NOT require much effort. You can chalk it up to
practicing the technique and training the nervous system to perform it efficiently. If you’ve
done this right, you’ll be primed for compressing your training into actual sessions and
building volume next month.
Pull-ups Workout Program – Month 2: Building Volume With Pyramid Training and
High-Volume Sessions
Grease the groove is all over now. No more practice sets throughout the day, no matter
how tempting it is (though, you could start greasing the groove with another movement
skill on the side). Be glad about the progress you’ve made, but it’s time to move on before
you hit a plateau. This month your goal is to build volume during actual training sessions,
and we’re going to do this with two different types of workouts that you’re going to
alternate throughout each week.
If you can find a way to integrate these into your current training sessions, then by all
means, do so. If it just won’t work, then either do these at the end of your workouts as
“finishers,” or perform them at a different time entirely.
Pull-up Workout A1: Double-Step Pyramid Training
Instructions: Perform a pyramid of pull-ups all the way up to your max and then back down
again using multiples of two’s to climb each step. In this A1 session, you’re going to go up
by doubles.
Here is an example of the progression: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 (max), 8, 6, 4, 2 = 50 total pull-ups
Go up as high as you can while maintaining proper technique, and rest as much as
necessary between sets. Instead of following a rigid structure for rest, just rest as much as
you feel is necessary to complete the next step. Generally, I recommend using as little as
15 seconds of rest on lower levels, and up to 2 minutes on upper levels.
Pull-up Workout A2: Single-Step Pyramid Training
Instructions: This is identical to the pyramid workout above, except this time (A2) you’re
climbing the pyramid one repetition at a time.
Here is an example of the progression: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (max), 4, 3, 2, 1 = 25 total pull-ups
Here’s another example for performing 100 total pull-ups: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (max),
9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 = 100 total pull-ups
Go up as high as you can while maintaining proper technique, and rest as much as
necessary between sets. Instead of following a rigid structure for rest, just rest as much as
you feel is necessary to complete the next step. You’ll probably need a little more rest in
between sets when climbing the pyramid via single steps.
Pull-up Workout B1: Low-Rep, High Volume Training
Instructions: Select a number of repetitions based on approximately 20% of your
maximum. So, if you can do 10-12 pull-ups in a maxed-out set, then your number is 2 or 3
repetitions. Perform 15-20 sets with as little rest as possible. Keep doing sets until your
technique starts to decline, and stop if you reach 20 total. You’ll need to rest more during
the latter sets, of course. Set a personal record each time you do this session by doing
more total sets than your last session.
Pull-up Workout B2: Moderate-Rep, High Volume Training
Instructions: Select a number of repetitions based on approximately 30%-40% of your
maximum. So, if you can do 10-12 pull-ups in a maxed-out set, then your number is 3-5
repetitions per set. Perform 8-15 sets with as little rest as possible, and no more than 1
minute between rounds. Keep doing sets until your technique starts to decline, and stop if
you reach 15 total. Set a personal record each time you do this session by doing more
total sets than your last session.
Month 2 Training Schedule
Here is the training schedule to follow (it’s ok if you make some changes to this, just
remember that less is more):
Week 1 – A1, B1 (e.g. A1 on Monday, B1 on Thu)
Week 2 – A2, B2 (e.g. A2 on Tue, B2 on Sat)
Week 3 – A1, B1, A2 (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri)
Week 4 – B1, A2, B2 (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri)
Note: these sessions can be done on any non-consecutive days, but ideally, they should
be equally spaced apart throughout the week.
Pull-ups Workout Program – Month 3: Lowering Volume and Building Intensity to
Peak for the Final Test
You’ve already laid a foundation of good technique in month one, perfected that technique
and built a base of training volume in month two, and now is when the work starts to get
hard because it’s time to increase the intensity of your sessions.
Pull-up Workout C1: Descending Pyramid Session
Instructions: This is essentially half of a pyramid, and you are starting at the top and
working your way down. Perform a near-max set of pull-ups (approximately 90% of your
max reps), then rest for as long as necessary before performing a set of one less
repetition, and continue this until you reach the final set of 1 pull-up. Obviously, it’s very
important that you’re adequately warmed up prior to starting this session (see joint
mobility recommendations below).
Here is an example of the progression: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 reps = 55 total pull-ups
Pull-up Workout C2: 50-100 Reps in as few Sets as Possible
Instructions: Perform between 50-100 pull-ups in as few sets as possible. Select the goal
number based on your conditioning level. It’s probably best to try and select repetition
amounts for each set that land around 60-80% of your maximum ability. So, if you can
perform 10 pull-ups, then sets of 6-8 are probably optimal for this session. Rest as
necessary.
Here’s an example for a goal of 100 repetitions:
10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9, 8, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6.
Pull-up Workout C3: Maximum Set Practice Sessions
Instructions: Repeat the following 3-5 times.
1 Set of maximum pull-ups with 3-5 minutes of rest between sets
These are an all-out effort, and you should be trying to hit 100% exertion every time. Your
repetition numbers will likely decrease every subsequent set. This is a sign that you’re
doing it right. When you repeat this workout later in the month, try to score more total reps
on your last set to both gauge and ensure progression.
Month 3 Training Schedule
Here is the training schedule to follow (it’s ok if you make some changes to this, just
remember that less is more):
Week 1 – Rest. No pull-up training at all. This is a time for your body to recover from the
high volume training that you’ve done over the last two months and prime you for a few
weeks of higher-intensity training. Other fitness training is ok, but depending on your
program, it might be a good idea to take a 5-7 day break anyways (highly recommended if
you haven’t taken a week off in the last 12 weeks).
Week 2 – C1, C2 (e.g. C1 on Mon, C2 on Thu)
Week 3 – C3, C1, (e.g. C3 on Mon, C1 on Thu)
Week 4 – C2, C3, C1 (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri)
Week 5 – Pick a day for your pull-up test. Plan ahead, and give it a shot.
Notes for maximizing your pull-up test performance:
1) Get plenty of sleep at least a couple of nights before your test day.
2) Make sure you are fully hydrated well in advance. Start front-loading your water at least
48 hours in advance. The same should go for front-loading optimal nutrition as well.
3) Make sure you’ve taken at least 2 days off from ALL formal exercise, and 3-4 days
would be better.
4) Perform a basic joint mobility session to prime your joints, muscles, and nervous
system, increase your core temperature, and specifically prep the ranges of motion for the
pull-up exercise (prioritize the following: scapular shoulder circles, humeral shoulder
circles and figure eights, elbow basic ranges and circles, wrist basic ranges and circles,
hand and finger mobility – if you don’t know what these are, see here)
5) Perform a very low intensity warmup set – just a few reps to groove the technique
without fatiguing you at all.
6) When you know you’re ready, step up to the bar, and know that you’ve spent the last 3
months preparing for this test and that you will ace it with flying colors.
The Bottom Line
If you follow the above program, then I guarantee that you will amaze yourself, as I did,
with the results you can achieve in only three months time. There’s nothing quite like
knowing that you’ve mastered a very challenging exercise, and on top of that, you’ll be
turning heads in disbelief as you continue to rep out on the pull-up bar. One last thing: the
fitness benefits you experience will also be exceptional. You probably don’t care about
that, though.
If you’re ready to get started, and haven’t done so already, check out my detailed tutorial
on how to do pull-ups right now, or see below for more info.
The Right Way to do Pull-ups and Chin-ups
How to do pull-ups and chin-ups with the most efficient technique possible to
maximize your performance and prevent injuries.
The pull-up and chin-up exercises appear to be movements that anyone can perform with
a little effort and minimal instruction, but the truth is that most people are performing them
improperly and risking an injury. This is the definitive instructional tutorial for how to
perform pull-ups properly. Whether you’re a complete beginner who has never been able
to do a pull-up before, or a seasoned fitness trainee looking to refine your technique and
crank out a few more reps each set, this tutorial is for you. We’re going to cover both the
basics and some advanced tips and strategies.
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marine_corps/
There are many ways to do the pull-up and chin-up exercises, but very few of them are
actually efficient and safe over the long-term. The major problem is that pull-ups are rarely
taught properly, even by so-called fitness professionals and personal trainers. The other
problem is that, at first glance, the movement appears fairly simple (and it is), but people
tend to assume they can do it properly without instruction. Sure, almost anyone with a
decent amount of upper body strength can lift themselves until their chin is over the bar.
That’s not the issue here. The issue is whether you can do it with efficiency and over the
long-term without injuring yourself.
It’s one thing to successfully complete the range of motion, but it’s quite another to
actually refine the movement until you’re performing it optimally and can access your
maximum potential.
The pull-up is a very challenging exercise, but that doesn’t mean it’s inaccessible to most
people and only reserved for the most fit trainees. Anyone can learn how to do pull-ups
and work their way up to high-repetition sets with enough time and practice. But it’s one of
those movements that you can’t fake – you’re either strong enough or you aren’t. This
tutorial will teach you exactly how to access the most strength and power during the
pull-up exercise, which will help you to reap as much benefit out of the movement as
possible. We do this by integrating the whole body into the movement, instead of just
using pull-ups as an arms exercise.
I always chuckle when I hear that pull-ups and chin-ups are an arms exercise, or just
meant for “back and bi’s.” It’s true that the muscles of the upper back, in particular the lat
muscles, and the biceps are the prime movers involved in the force production during the
pull-up exercise, but the truth is that pull-ups are a full body exercise. When performed
with this in mind, you will experience the difference between isolated strength and
full-body strength (it’s a BIG difference).
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a thorough understanding of not only how to
perform pull-ups properly, but also optimally.
Note: if you’re already used to doing pull-ups and chin-ups a certain way, but have never
learned to do them in this way before, you may see an initial drop in performance when
you first start the new technique. This is simply because of the learning curve and
re-conditioning yourself to a new movement skill. Rest assured, that with practice of the
most efficient technique, performances increases will continue and you will eventually
bypass your current numbers and will progress beyond what you could have done using a
less efficient technique. Although, you may see an initial improvement in your
performance, too. It just depends on your specific situation.
How to do Pull-ups and Chin-ups – Technique Tips and Strategies
1) Hand Positioning – Hand positioning for pull-ups and chin-ups is body-type specific
and depends largely on the width of your shoulders. In all grips, your thumbs should NOT
be wrapped around the bar, but should grip on the same side as the rest of your fingers.
Also, your wrists must remain neutral (not flexed) and forearms hanging straight down
from the bar.
a) Pull-up Exercise: In the pull-ups exercise, your palms will be facing away from you, and
for most people, your grip should be slightly outside of shoulder-width apart. To figure out
the optimal hand placement, raise both arms overhead and lock out your elbows. Then
pull your shoulders downward, packing them on your ribcage away from your ears. The
most vertical position that you can get your arms and maintain both elbow lock and
shoulder pack, that’s where your hands should be placed. Note that if you have very
mobile shoulders, you should not allow your arms to pass further than perpendicular to the
ground. In essence, you should be hanging as straight down from the bar as you can
achieve when not actually hanging. This ensures that you are not forced to strengthen a
range of motion that you cannot achieve without the extra resistance that gravity provides
while hanging from the bar.
b) Chin-up Exercise: In the chin-up exercise, your palms will be facing towards you. The
optimal hand positioning is directly in line with your shoulder joints. Your hands, elbows,
and shoulders should be in one line, and your forearms should be hanging straight down –
perpendicular to the ground.
2) Elbow Positioning - The elbows must be fully locked in the bottom position and fully
flexed in the top position of the pull-up. During each repetition, it’s important to maintain an
elbow position that is drawn in towards your center-line, instead of allowing them to flare
out. Think about squeezing them into your ribs while pulling yourself up towards the bar.
This is the most efficient pulling position, and will help prevent injuries to the elbo