How many ______ can you do?

Eric Isaacson

Eric Isaacson

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Dec 19, 1999
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Many of you probably remember my post last Spring about losing weight. I'm still working on that ;) Been off on and on, but in the meantime I decided to add a little more consistent exercise to my routine. I've started going to the gym more often and while the results are slow they are starting to come along.
Here's what disturbs me. I have always been able to do chin-ups, at least a 10-12 at a time. No world records but I used to do 3 sets of 10 or more. When I headed back to the gym I tried and I could barely do 3..... I've put on some weight which I'm working on, but holy cow, 3 stinking chin-ups.
Disgusting.....

So I decided to come to my friends for encouragement and to start a little game.

I just tried again and was able to do 5, good solid chin-ups. I want to get back to doing sets of 10 and would like to be able to do 20 straight before Christmas. Anyone want to join in the fun? ;)

I'm amazed what a few years and a few pounds will do......


:D:D
 
I'm in the same boat as you Eric. I can manage maybe 5 pull ups before it burns too much. I'd say i'm working on improving that number but i'd be lying.
 
Chin ups...well, if I can get more than two or three I'm doing good. I wasn't able to do them in high school, but even now that I can muster through two I'm not happy with that number. Keep trying, I guess.
 
Ok, so far you guys are making me feel better. At least I'm not alone in not being able to do many.

So who is going to try to add a few to your total? We can all suffer together.

:D:D
 
Well brother I would have challenged you to a chin up contest this past weekend but someone didn't want to come out in the cold rainy weather. LOL Hope all is well and I can still get about 7 chin ups before I drop. I won't say what I used to do but I will join you in this challenge.
 
Hindsight said:
Well brother I would have challenged you to a chin up contest this past weekend but someone didn't want to come out in the cold rainy weather. LOL Hope all is well and I can still get about 7 chin ups before I drop. I won't say what I used to do but I will join you in this challenge.
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This is the first Knob Creek shoot I've missed in probably 10 years or more. Can't believe I didn't make it down. Kids activities are keeping me busy (and I didn't want to get stuck in the mud ;) )

Hopefully I don't miss the Spring shoot.

I'll accept the challenge though ;)
:D:D
 
Do you do them palm toward or away from you? If you do a wide grip Palm away and try/touch the bar with the back of your neck you will get a good Lat. work out.
 
SaguaroKid said:
Do you do them palm toward or away from you? If you do a wide grip Palm away and try/touch the bar with the back of your neck you will get a good Lat. work out.
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Maybe I'll worry about that in the future, now just worried about getting my chin above the bar without falling and breaking my knees ;)

:D:D
 
Eric Isaacson said:
This is the first Knob Creek shoot I've missed in probably 10 years or more. Can't believe I didn't make it down. Kids activities are keeping me busy (and I didn't want to get stuck in the mud ;) )

Hopefully I don't miss the Spring shoot.

I'll accept the challenge though ;)
:D:D
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No worries brother. Life happens. Hope to see you in a few months. I will bust out my Total gym and get to work. It Chuck Norris approved so how can I lose. :D
 
Pullups/chinups are really the most difficult (basic) exercise for most people. I only know two females who can do 10, and most guys cant do over 10 good ones. And a few extra pounds makes a TON of difference! With a 20lb vest on, my pullup numbers drop down significantly, so losing weight will make your numbers skyrocket! Practicing them is the best way t get better at them IMO :D And just an FYI, the minimum standards to qualify to become a Navy Seal, only require you to do 6 good ones. Just sayin, 10 aint that bad. I knew a few guys that went to BUDs and couldn't do 10... they didnt last long though lol
 
Ok so after reading this I went out to see how many I could do. There was a time when 3 sets of ten was normal. After what I just discovered I think it may take me 3 days to get ten. I was feeling a little cocky when the first two went easy. Then I realized that all of a sudden the third one felt like my feet were tied to the floor. Made the third one but it was pretty rough and probably looked pretty funny as well. Four was completely out of the question.
Guess I am not 19 anymore.

Garth
 
Best of luck to you. I will be the fat guy in the corner cheering for you. I am pretty sure I ripped or broke things in my body that arent gonna grow back.
Garth
 
Garth Reckner said:
Ok so after reading this I went out to see how many I could do. There was a time when 3 sets of ten was normal. After what I just discovered I think it may take me 3 days to get ten. I was feeling a little cocky when the first two went easy. Then I realized that all of a sudden the third one felt like my feet were tied to the floor. Made the third one but it was pretty rough and probably looked pretty funny as well. Four was completely out of the question.
Guess I am not 19 anymore.

Garth
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I'm amazed how few I could do. I'm glad I'm not the only one that isn't 19 anymore (or even 29 for that matter ;) ).
So you going to join in and try to make it back to your 3 sets of 10

:D:D
 
Chin ups = palm facing toward you. Underhand, think "bicep curl grip." Easier, biceps help the movement.
Pull ups = palms facing away. Overhand grip. Harder, more back dependent.

For most people, the chin up is easier because the biceps are stronger and provide an assist.
 
If by chin ups, you mean lifting my head to see the tv better, then I'm in.

I started a couple years back trying to get to the gym and doing pull ups/chin ups. Never able to do them before as a kid. Got to the point I could do five. Shoulder surgery is scheduled for December to fix two torn tendons in the rotator cuff and a torn labrum where the biceps tendon attaches.

Started weight training then too. Got a 455 lbs deadlift once. Fifth knee surgery is Thursday.

Eric, exercise is a young man's game. Join me on the porch for a soda sometime. :D
 
joshuaharman said:
If by chin ups, you mean lifting my head to see the tv better, then I'm in.

I started a couple years back trying to get to the gym and doing pull ups/chin ups. Never able to do them before as a kid. Got to the point I could do five. Shoulder surgery is scheduled for December to fix two torn tendons in the rotator cuff and a torn labrum where the biceps tendon attaches.

Started weight training then too. Got a 455 lbs deadlift once. Fifth knee surgery is Thursday.

Eric, exercise is a young man's game. Join me on the porch for a soda sometime. :D
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WOW!! I'll let you off the hook because of the upcoming surgeries ;)

I've been lucky enough to never have any surgeries or stitches. At least you can use your bad shoulder as an excuse, I'm just overweight and out of shape.

:D:D
 
6 full-struggled PUs and (or should I say or?) 7-1/2 CUs. I am happy you did not ask for weightlifting:D
Sure can do better headlifting on a sofa even with a beer :)
 
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