Pushing exercise but no pulling ones?

[andy100]

I've asked this same question on this board in the Bodyweight Training forum and also on another forum, but would appreciate as many views as possible.

I've been working out using BW exercise for almost 3 months now and have seen very positive results. Mainly I've been doing between 55 and 120 press ups, sit ups & squat thrusts 3 times a week, plus have tried to integrate pull ups into my routine to balance out push & pull exercises and to stop any imbalance in my chest & back and arm muscles.

However, despite all of my efforts to find somewhere to do pull ups or horizontal rows, my efforts have failed spectacularly. Trying to do them off a door hasn't worked (the already pretty sizeable gap at the top of the door's got larger) and trying to use a bar across two high cupboards has just resulted in damaging the frame. I've tried horizontal rows off of my table edge too and while I can do them now, the table keeps on sliding open where it expands so it's not somewhere i can do a regular set off of. Also, I can't use a doorframe bar as the molding on the doorframe's too deep, not drill anything in as we live in rented accomodation.

I'm now wondering whether it'd be more damaging to my body to carry on just doing press ups & squat thrusts in terms of muscle imbalance, or to stop working out completely (given that the exercise really helps combat my long-standing problems with depression)?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[malkore]

Is there a reason you cannot join a cheap gym? I'm not big on skipping major muscle groups like the upper back, as imbalances can lead to problems with posture, as well as injuries down the road.

 

[andy100]

Is there a reason you cannot join a cheap gym?

Money's pretty tight at the moment, plus I've tried going to the gym a few times before and don't like them & find I lose motivation quickly. So in short, no I can't!

I'm not big on skipping major muscle groups like the upper back, as imbalances can lead to problems with posture, as well as injuries down the road.

That's what I'm asking! Will it be more damaging by giving up exercising (mentally & health wise) or by not balancing my muscle workout?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Kiba Stryker]

Shoulder inpingment is the main injury you would be risking by overdoing the pushups without the balance. Not sure what the weather is like where you are or if there are any parks nearby, but many parks have pullup bars on a running trail of sorts. I used to us one at the local park near my house.

Another thing to try is take two empty milk cartons and fill them with water. You can do some bent over rows with them, and even some curls if you so please. Even go to the local playground, im sure there is something to do pullups on.

Sometimes you do have to get creative, but there is always a way.

 

[andy100]

Shoulder inpingment is the main injury you would be risking by overdoing the pushups without the balance. Not sure what the weather is like where you are or if there are any parks nearby, but many parks have pullup bars on a running trail of sorts. I used to us one at the local park near my house.

Another thing to try is take two empty milk cartons and fill them with water. You can do some bent over rows with them, and even some curls if you so please. Even go to the local playground, im sure there is something to do pullups on.

Sometimes you do have to get creative, but there is always a way.

Thanks for the suggestion about the milk cartons. There isn't any parks close by, plus I'd rather keep my exercise indoors and solitary - I'm not keen on the idea of working out in public. I might try pulling myself up against a cupboard over a door again, as it's probably the sturdiest place in my flat, although it wasn't very comfortable before when I tried it. Still, it's probably the closest to a functional pull up I can achieve, in comparison to if I was trying to pull myself up a wall or something...

 

[manio]

You shouldn't stop exercising, but you also don't want to end up with an arched back. Just buy some cheap pull up bar.

 

[andy100]

You shouldn't stop exercising, but you also don't want to end up with an arched back. Just buy some cheap pull up bar.

My door frames are too wide to use a bar that hangs off of it, and as it's a rented place I don't want to go screwing anything into the frame either.

Have bought a kettlebell instead and am going to give that a go. Just waiting for it to arrive now. From what I've read that gives a good total body workout

 

[kenzo242]

Besides trying to find an adequate place to do horizontal pull ups you could train your lats another way by doing bent over db flyes. This exercise trains the upper back. All you need is a couple of text books or the like to hold and move slowly and with control to maximize the tension on the muscles. Keep your chest up and shoulder blades pinched for postural stability.
You call also do floor cobras. look it up kids screaming gotta go.

 

[bcarpman]

No, you shouldn't stop exercising, but yes, you NEED to find a way of encorporating pulling exercises. As Kiba stated, you will develope shoulder issues, as well as major postural imbalance. a set of 1in dummbell bars and some 1in plates are incredibly cheap at a used sporting goods store or through craigslist. Get some, you won't regret it.

Also, maybe you can find a friend with some mechanical ability. I've never found a place I couldn't attach a pullup bar in some form.