# Exercises to help with 20 pull up goal **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917 "2015-07-12T04:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/1 "2015-07-12T04:40:38Z")
OK since I finally have a good functioning pull up bar to train for my goal of 20 pull ups I am planning on following the Fighter Pull up program. Now besides that are there any other routines and/or exercises you would recommend for me achieving my goal? Thanks again guys! ---
**Author:** ![Waymore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/2 "2015-07-12T04:48:14Z")
Work opposing muscle groups to maintain balance. Dips, overhead press, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/3 "2015-07-12T05:03:27Z")
Once you have fatigued your pull-ups, switch to negatives. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/4 "2015-07-12T06:17:42Z")
> [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](#): > > OK since I finally have a good functioning pull up bar to train for my goal of 20 pull ups I am planning on following the Fighter Pull up program. Now besides that are there any other routines and/or exercises you would recommend for me achieving my goal? Thanks again guys! Can I ask what pull-up bar you have? I have been looking at [this one](http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13243144) at Dick’s Sporting Goods but it makes me nervous. I don’t want something that is going to break one of my door frames…or my neck. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/5 "2015-07-12T14:51:19Z")
My trainer has had me working on just lowering in a controlled 8 second drop at well as static holds at the top to build up strength. He says I have the strength to do pull ups but need to lose a little weight first. While it would be nice to have the satisfaction of being able to do it, I do love me a pasta dinner or two. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/6 "2015-07-14T15:58:35Z")
Dude you are overthinking it. You don’t need a “program”. Just do pull ups. (I’m assuming you can do at least a couple already.) Do as many as you can, for as many sets as you can. Use a chair to do a few extra cheaters if you want to. Do this a few times per day, every other day. Twenty is an admirable, but not particularly lofty goal. Should be obtainable in a few months. That being said, I would encourage you to work on total body fitness. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/7 "2015-07-14T16:08:05Z")
Do pull ups while wearing ankle weights. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_from\_CB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@Alex\_from\_CB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_from_CB)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-to-help-with-20-pull-up-goal/724917/8 "2015-07-14T18:21:41Z")
Lose every ounce of weight you can.