Assisted pull-up vs Negatives question.

[Ogedei]

Hey everyone.

I have never used one, but I was watching a guy on one today.

So I understand the concept of the counterweight making it easier to pull yourself up.

My question deals with negatives. We have long heard that to really build up pull-up strength, that we should do negatives.

Does the assisted pull-up counterweight also make the lowering easier for you as well? If so would it not be more beneficial in terms of pull-ups to NOT use this machine but to just do negatives instead?

Thoughts?

Og.

[John Izzo]

I have really been favoring using the Superbands to perform all my bodyweight chins. I don't focus on slowing down the eccentric portion, but do focus on going all the way down to full extension (straight arms-pause at bottom).

Again, if you are having problems with pull-up/chins--do them from the floor: reclined pulls (under bar).

[austintwo]

I think you're right, probably, but the assisted pullup machine can actually be good too because of the fact that you can adjust the amount of assistance and measure your progress, which I think helps to build confidence, which I feel is always good in this type of endeavor.

In a pure sense, though, like I said I think you're right that negatives w/o assistance are probably superior because you are moving more weight, i.e. your entire body weight.

[Ogedei]

Originally Posted by standAPART

I have really been favoring using the Superbands to perform all my bodyweight chins. I don't focus on slowing down the eccentric portion, but do focus on going all the way down to full extension (straight arms-pause at bottom).

Again, if you are having problems with pull-up/chins--do them from the floor: reclined pulls (under bar).

Oh Yeah I do have trouble with them, I am weak and despite being fairly lean, weigh 200lbs. However they are not part of my routine, I was just watching a guy work on the machine and the thought popped into my brain, so I thought I would ask it

[John Izzo]

Originally Posted by austintwo

I think you're right, probably, but the assisted pullup machine can actually be good too because of the fact that you can adjust the amount of assistance and measure your progress, which I think helps to build confidence, which I feel is always good in this type of endeavor.

In a pure sense, though, like I said I think you're right that negatives w/o assistance are probably superior because you are moving more weight, i.e. your entire body weight.

I absolutely agree. The assisted machine is great for people learning how to properly perform chins/pulls. Not knocking it at all.....

Eventually, my clients begin on that and my athletes start w/Superbands. There is alwasy some sort of assist.

[Lisa~]

I agree with everything standapart has said on this topic. Depending on how far away from a bodyweight pullup you are, a negative can be pretty tough. If you've got a long way to go, then bands give you more assist where you need it (at the bottom) and less where you're stronger (at the top). The machine assist is steady from top to bottom, so you have to use the amount you need at your weakest point. You'll get stronger faster with a band assist.

[GG300]

Does anyone have a link to the band assisted pull ups? I use the assisted machine for my chins and I would be interested in trying the bands.

[pjb923]

Originally Posted by GG300

Does anyone have a link to the band assisted pull ups? I use the assisted machine for my chins and I would be interested in trying the bands.

http://www.wannabebig.com/article.php?articleid=271

[Lisa~]

You beat me to it!

[GG300]

Thanks that is what I thought it was but I wanted to make sure before I tried it. Nothing screws up your day like trying something new and ending up a 911 call.

[OldGuy]

Cool, I have to get some bands. I've been using the assist machine but this is obviously better.

[pjb923]

The other advantage to using bands that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you are still free to swing back and forth, making it more like a real pull-up. When you use the machine, your feet are held in place. It takes some of the challenge away from the movement.

[Ogedei]

Is there anything Eric hasn't written an article about?

Looks like a cool article though!

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by Ogedei

Is there anything Eric hasn't written an article about?

Looks like a cool article though!

If he hasn't, then the topic probably isn't worth discussing.