If you are a beginner on your journey to building upper body strength, learning how to do a pull up might seem daunting. But fear not! Pull-ups are an excellent way to engage your back, shoulders and arms, and with the proper guidance, you will be pulling yourself up like a pro in no time. In this article, we will explain the steps to help you conquer this fundamental exercise.
Steps to do a pull-up
Here is the step-by-step process for how to do pull-ups for beginners:
To start, find a pull-up bar that can support your weight. Stand beneath the bar and reach up, grabbing it with your palm facing forward and hands about shoulder-width apart. Make sure your grip is firm; your fingers should remain securely wrapped around the bar.
With your hands gripping the bar, let your body hang freely. Your arms should remain fully extended above you. Now gently stick your chest out and slightly curve your back. Engage your core muscles to maintain stability.
Here comes the exciting part — pulling yourself up! Begin by exhaling as you use your back muscles to initiate the movement. Imagine driving your elbows downward while simultaneously pulling them towards your back pockets. This engages your lats and biceps, the primary muscles involved in the pull-up.
As you pull up, focus on bringing your elbows down and back, aiming to get the bar to chest level. Keep your movements controlled and avoid any sudden jerks. Maintaining a steady motion will maximise muscle engagement and minimise the risk of injury.