(yet another)Question about odd kipping

[Bert Brams]

I've been doing my best to learn how to kip for a few weeks now, using the instruction videos on the main site and descriptions here, but the kip remains a challenge for me. I fatigue quickly after 5-6.

This while I can do around 18-20 strict chins and a strict chin with bodyweight + 110 lbs. I'm pretty light too, weighing between 168 and 172 @ 5'8.

The thing is, I practiced my kipping with a pronated grip(palms away).

Usually I chin with my palms facing. I saw some Crossfitters do it this way as well.

Today I figured, what the hell, I'm just gonna cheat my butt off on chins the way I normally do them(palms facing). This went much better!
They don't look anything like normal kips though.

My questions is: are these still "allowed"?

Suppose these are done at the Crossfit Games or somewhere alike to have an "official" time.

My chest is still touching and I start from the deadhang on every rep.

Does anyone else do their kipping chinups this way?

[Oliver Gould]

It's totally allowed. Greg A. did a LOT of chins that way. You might want to work the pronated grip also though, since it seems to be a weakness of some kind for you.

[Adrian Dowst]

Originally Posted by Bert Brams

My chest is still touching and I start from the deadhang on every rep.

Does anyone else do their kipping chinups this way?

No need to come to a stop at the bottom of the rep. You'll have momentum from coming down, so you won't be starting subsequent reps the same way you started the first. Once you get a good cycle going, you'll be able to squeeze in a lot of reps in no time!

[Brian Stone]

My understanding is the "kip" is just that jerking motion you do with your body to help propel you upward. You can kip on numerous exercises.

That said, I think the only standards of a CF pullup are that your chin is over the bar at the top, your elbows locked at the bottom and your body does not come into contact with anything else.

[Bert Brams]

Awesome, thanks guys!

If possible, I'll post a video in the future!

[Marie Poukalova]

As I like to say- I don't care HOW you get up there as long as your chin is over the bar at the top and elbows locked out at the bottom. So it totally counts.

I have seen people attempt to kip with a palms-facing grip but have found that it is much easier to 'cheat' and not lock your elbows out. I have heard people say that it feels very odd locking your elbows out with that grip which is why most people end up switching to the palms-away grip.

[Alex Europa]

Watch any video of Jolie doing pull-ups (including while at the Games), she typically uses an alternating grip (one palm facing away, one palm facing the body). I use it from time to time just to mix things up, it's pretty wacky.

The point is, as others have said, as long as you're hitting full extension at the bottom (i.e.: the same position as a deadhang) and getting your chin over/chest touching the bar you're good to go.

- Alex

[Brian Stone]

Originally Posted by Marie Poukalova

I have seen people attempt to kip with a palms-facing grip but have found that it is much easier to 'cheat' and not lock your elbows out. I have heard people say that it feels very odd locking your elbows out with that grip which is why most people end up switching to the palms-away grip.

This was exactly the case with me and the reason why I'm transitioning into a palms-out kipp.

[Adrian Dowst]

Originally Posted by Brian Stone

My understanding is the "kip" is just that jerking motion you do with your body to help propel you upward. You can kip on numerous exercises.

That said, I think the only standards of a CF pullup are that your chin is over the bar at the top, your elbows locked at the bottom and your body does not come into contact with anything else.

Very true! However, kipping also let's you do the same work in less time. (actually, since you have momentum coming down, it takes some energy to come to a stop at the bottom).

In the end, the only thing that people are going to care about is your numbers, so do whatever works for you. Cheers!

[Bert Brams]

Short update: I did kips for the first time in a WOD today and it went pretty well(see my log).

I'll just keep plugging away at them and they'll get better.

Looks a little weird though, I'm sure, I clap my heels together on every rep(feel free to insert Wizard of Oz joke)and kind of "swim" to the top of the movement.