How To Get The Most From Your Banded Pull-Ups

The bands are not for weak people and it is not a punishment that insults your self worth if your coach suggests you choose an “easier” level. In practice, if you are trying to build strength in your pull-up then the bands are an outstanding way to get better at them for all levels, even those who don’t need them. Think of it like trying to build strength in the squat. You wouldn’t do so performing one rep, you’d do so by building volume, accumulating good positioning, and developing strong working muscles.

Too often we see folks around the gym laboring away with poopy, bandless reps and doing the opposite of what builds pull-up strength:

• Strong lats
• Scapular muscles that are awake and active.
• Effective position for a linear pull.

Pick a band that is tough but allows you to do all reps unbroken, with reps one looking the same as reps eight. A good gauge is that if you feel your lats and your grip fatigued after your set, you’re in the right level of difficulty.

If all you feel is a biceps pump, then you’re not getting better at pull-ups, you’re just building bigger arms.

Bands, y’all. Low and slow.

-Dave