Pull up Question

The thing I've found that happens is that some people have weird wiring in their arms. Like it's not bad, but it's just that when you grab something by your thumb, it can put an extra strain on your forearm. I don't know what's it called, but try gripping without the thumb wrapped around the bare, just your four fingers. I can do about 8 dead hang pull ups before I get tired using this method. However, if I were to fully wrap my fingers around the bar, I have more trouble pulling since my forearm begins to hurt. It might have something to do with the fact if you type on the keyboard a lot. I don't know, though.

Something like this:
 
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Dallen,

I've noticed this too. I think it's because when I use my thumb as part of the grip my wrist has a slight bend to it to hold the bar this way which tires out my forearm faster. When I just hold with my fingers my wrist is perfectly straight and doesnt add this additional stress to the pull. Mechanically speaking gripping with your thumb from the bottom shouldn't help hold the bar much anyway.

Merry Christmas.

MG
 
Dallen said:
The thing I've found that happens is that some people have weird wiring in their arms. Like it's not bad, but it's just that when you grab something by your thumb, it can put an extra strain on your forearm. I don't know what's it called, but try gripping without the thumb wrapped around the bare, just your four fingers. I can do about 8 dead hang pull ups before I get tired using this method. However, if I were to fully wrap my fingers around the bar, I have more trouble pulling since my forearm begins to hurt. It might have something to do with the fact if you type on the keyboard a lot. I don't know, though.

Something like this:
Click to expand...


Cool! I am trying that. I practice everyday. I am able to pull up farther but still not to the bar. I am trying that!
 
In reading some of the posts about the grip and thumb positioning... here's my take since I actually train pullups for a comp. that I do.

My pullups right now are in the mid 20's - legit. I have to hang on the bar between every pullup... the pullups can only be done every 3 seconds... so the faster the pullup is done, the more hang time... and the more tired you get, the quicker the pullups come - to mean there is no break because it takes a long time to complete them....

That said... we (the comp.) recently changed to allowing the thumb over grip -- whereas before we were not allowed that... we had to use only the 'fingers'. I find now that using a thumb over grip is MUCH easier.

Why? I am not sure but here is my take: If you are really trying to achieve a high number of pullups.. then you want as much of your palm over the bar. You don't want your fingers holding onto the bar only. Therefore, at first your wrists seem to feel in an awkward position, but it is merely a stretching of the hand and wrist, and once they are use to this hand position, then the thumb becomes an added support, and allows more grip strength for pullups.

Think of it this way... would it be easier to hold onto a pullup bar with one finger or two fingers???

Obviously two fingers..... so would you rather hold on with four fingers or five?

Food for thought... but thumb over grip for me is MUCH easier... you have to give yourself and body some time to get used to it.
 
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