No longer able to do pull ups

John Elstad · 02-18-2009, 06:31 PM

I've never been great at PUs, maybe able to do ten or so without kipping. A couple days ago I felt like doing a few non-kipping PUs and found I couldn't do one. I would start to pull up, but about a quarter of the way up, my arms would just stop. No pain, soreness, or feeling of weakness, just no ability to go further. For today's PU WOD, I was able to do two PUs (in two sets of one rep) before I had to revert to jumping PUs for the sake of the WOD.

I'm assuming that some necessary muscles are still in recovery from a prior WOD and that they will be fine in time. However, I would appreciate any comments regarding whether I should be concerned, take a break, or what this might be.

Thanks,

John

George Mounce · 02-18-2009, 07:02 PM

Well if you don't have the strength right now, keep working on doing pull-up negatives and jumping until you can get one.

If you don't already, add them to your warm-up.

Steven Low · 02-18-2009, 09:14 PM

How long have you been working out without stopping?

Sleep good? Diet?

You might just need a break...

michael Galietta · 02-18-2009, 10:38 PM

I would love to see what responses you get to this post.

I am in a similar boat, but know that pullups are my probably my weakest CF area. I know I will get better at them but it is sure coming slowly. I am in CF week 15, seeing great overall results in all areas (CF rocks!) except at pullups. This issue has inspired me to drop a few pounds, which should help.

Most time I do pullups at home on a doorway bar which means I don't have full extension but I always try to kip and feel like I can't get the "hang" of it. If I try to use my garage rings to kip and therefore have full body extension they swing around too much. My dead hang pullups have decreased since starting, I too am thinking of going back to dead hangs for a while.

I used to be able to do 10 dead hang chin ups (palms in) and 5 or 6 palms out, now I am about half of that...and I am almost ten pounds lighter.

So far I have not done any extra work beyond the WOD's (not even the CFWU...the pullups would max me...I do an easy warm up of my own) to get acclimated but I am just feeling lately I am used to things enough to start to do so. If I stay in a rut on pullups I'll try to "grease the groove" after I reach a more optimal body weight.

John Elstad · 02-18-2009, 10:42 PM

Thanks for your comments. As far as I can tell, the problem started after the following WOD on 2/11:

45 Double-unders
135 pound Squat clean, 45 reps (used 90#)
45 Ring Dips
45 Double-unders

My diet is 80% Zone and I've been getting good rest between WODs.

Thanks again.

Veronica Carpenter · 02-18-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael Galietta

If I stay in a rut on pullups I'll try to "grease the groove" after I reach a more optimal body weight.

Why wait? If you don't start GTG now you'll be in a rut for longer.

As for John, I agree with Steven's reply. You may have just not had enough recovery from your 2/11 WOD

michael Galietta · 02-19-2009, 01:37 PM

veronica: I am still new at this (week 15) and had a goal of not doing more than the WOD for at least 6 months so as to not overtrain. I am trying to give the WOD's as full an effort as possible.

It has only been recently I am feeling adjusted to things, so I am being careful when and how to add extra items.

Veronica Carpenter · 02-20-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael Galietta

veronica: I am still new at this (week 15) and had a goal of not doing more than the WOD for at least 6 months so as to not overtrain. I am trying to give the WOD's as full an effort as possible.

It has only been recently I am feeling adjusted to things, so I am being careful when and how to add extra items.

How much time did you allow between the 2/11 WOD and trying to do pullups?

If you're putting in full effort on the WOD's with minimal scaling. You may just need more recovery time.

Ed Haywood · 02-20-2009, 02:10 PM

Are you doing 3 sets of pullups during the CFWU every day? That should be enough deadhang volume to maintain your pullups, or to improve if you bump the numbers up gradually.

michael Galietta · 02-22-2009, 02:30 PM

At week 16 I am just starting to work the CFWU into things, which should help the pullups. It has taken me this long to acclimate.

02-18-2009, 06:31 PM	#1
John Elstad Member Profile: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 60	No longer able to do pull ups I've never been great at PUs, maybe able to do ten or so without kipping. A couple days ago I felt like doing a few non-kipping PUs and found I couldn't do one. I would start to pull up, but about a quarter of the way up, my arms would just stop. No pain, soreness, or feeling of weakness, just no ability to go further. For today's PU WOD, I was able to do two PUs (in two sets of one rep) before I had to revert to jumping PUs for the sake of the WOD. I'm assuming that some necessary muscles are still in recovery from a prior WOD and that they will be fine in time. However, I would appreciate any comments regarding whether I should be concerned, take a break, or what this might be. Thanks, John

02-18-2009, 07:02 PM	#2
George Mounce Banned for Ethical and Integrity Violations Profile: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Steens MS Posts: 3,295	Re: No longer able to do pull ups Well if you don't have the strength right now, keep working on doing pull-up negatives and jumping until you can get one. If you don't already, add them to your warm-up.

02-18-2009, 09:14 PM	#3
Steven Low Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: silver spring maryland Posts: 12,221	Re: No longer able to do pull ups How long have you been working out without stopping? Sleep good? Diet? You might just need a break...
	__________________ Posts are NOT medical, training, nutrition info Bodyweight Article, Overcoming Gravity Book

02-18-2009, 10:38 PM	#4
michael Galietta Member Profile: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portland ME Posts: 146	Re: No longer able to do pull ups I would love to see what responses you get to this post. I am in a similar boat, but know that pullups are my probably my weakest CF area. I know I will get better at them but it is sure coming slowly. I am in CF week 15, seeing great overall results in all areas (CF rocks!) except at pullups. This issue has inspired me to drop a few pounds, which should help. Most time I do pullups at home on a doorway bar which means I don't have full extension but I always try to kip and feel like I can't get the "hang" of it. If I try to use my garage rings to kip and therefore have full body extension they swing around too much. My dead hang pullups have decreased since starting, I too am thinking of going back to dead hangs for a while. I used to be able to do 10 dead hang chin ups (palms in) and 5 or 6 palms out, now I am about half of that...and I am almost ten pounds lighter. So far I have not done any extra work beyond the WOD's (not even the CFWU...the pullups would max me...I do an easy warm up of my own) to get acclimated but I am just feeling lately I am used to things enough to start to do so. If I stay in a rut on pullups I'll try to "grease the groove" after I reach a more optimal body weight.
	__________________ 48/male/6'/200 "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."

02-18-2009, 10:42 PM	#5
John Elstad Member Profile: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 60	Re: No longer able to do pull ups Thanks for your comments. As far as I can tell, the problem started after the following WOD on 2/11: 45 Double-unders 135 pound Squat clean, 45 reps (used 90#) 45 Ring Dips 45 Double-unders My diet is 80% Zone and I've been getting good rest between WODs. Thanks again.

02-19-2009, 01:37 PM	#7
michael Galietta Member Profile: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portland ME Posts: 146	Re: No longer able to do pull ups veronica: I am still new at this (week 15) and had a goal of not doing more than the WOD for at least 6 months so as to not overtrain. I am trying to give the WOD's as full an effort as possible. It has only been recently I am feeling adjusted to things, so I am being careful when and how to add extra items.
	__________________ 48/male/6'/200 "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."

02-20-2009, 02:10 PM	#9
Ed Haywood Member Profile: Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Valrico FL Posts: 492	Re: No longer able to do pull ups Are you doing 3 sets of pullups during the CFWU every day? That should be enough deadhang volume to maintain your pullups, or to improve if you bump the numbers up gradually.

02-22-2009, 02:30 PM	#10
michael Galietta Member Profile: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portland ME Posts: 146	Re: No longer able to do pull ups At week 16 I am just starting to work the CFWU into things, which should help the pullups. It has taken me this long to acclimate.
	__________________ 48/male/6'/200 "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."

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