Hi all

I am trying to get better at pull ups. I have a few background goals for this - to suck less at rock climbing, to improve posture since I sit all day at work and to get rid if possible of some back pain. I was looking online for a program and I found something promising at pull-ups-training.com. (I would post the link but it seems I am not allowed until I become more involved here, which I will ) Before I start onto this path I would like to hear from people who already did this or something similar or maybe to find out about a completely different approach. Thank you all in advance.

Are you only interested in developing your upper body? Or would you be interested in doing some real squats too, etc? That program looks ok, but it's nothing special. And the fact that they say it is based on what someone who tried for the world record did shows that they don't know how trainee experience plays into this. That isn't to say it won't work, though.

For Rock Climbing I would (personally) build a program that incorporates:

grip: plate pinching or holding dumbbells by pinching the heads
power: Squats & Deadlifts
stability: Russian Twists & Crunches

and pullups won't hurt, but when climbing your arms are the least important piece of the puzzle.

Squats, dead lifts, and calf raises are necessary to be a good rock climber just as much as shoulder and arm work!! a good rock climber will use his legs much more than his arms to push to the next crevice than pull up to it anytime it is possible. The size of your quads compared to any other muscle you will use is amazing and they do not fatigue as fast. I used to rock climb at Atlanta Rocks and all the coaches made sure we incorporated our legs any chance we got. do a FBW it will pay off.

Thanks for answers guys. I am already doing a 5 day split free weights workout. I am just interested at getting better at pull-ups and I am curious if anybody has tried a specific routine. Thanks again.

If your program is a good one then it should not only include pullups/chinups but other core exercises like DL, Squats etc. You will not only get better at pullups but at Squats, DL's too.

The thing I don't get is why must you "train" to go rock climbing. I mean just go out there and start climbing. The worst that'll happen is you'll fall on your butt and you'll have to get up and try again. Real world doesn't just involve pulling upwards.

As for gym, the very best method for pull ups is to start doing them in sets.

Ideally, you'd probably want to do push ups, and pull ups and assisted pull ups and reverse pull ups.

Push ups: just push up from the ground. Try wide, narrow, and regular width.

Pull ups: Try chin ups and pull ups. And spread the grip width. Try lifting without wrapping your thumbs around the bar.

Assisted pull ups: Simply reduce the weight for pull ups by sitting on the ground and lifting upwards. You can also do dips.

Reverse pull ups: Ideal for larger sets and beginners. Simply start by pulling a chair up to the bar, put your chin over the bar, and let yourself down. Ideal to build strength.