Weighted push/pull ups? does anyone do these rather than your usual bog standard variations ? If so how do you find your results doing these .And do you still need to bench free weights/bar bell etc alongside this sort of training for it to have any great effect ?

cheers Phil

i would like to see some peoples views on this also.
i have heard that if you do weighted pull ups e.g hold a dumbell between your legs, that it also works your core area (abs) aswell as the obvious pull up results.
i think its a great over all upper body work out for strenght, do a few of these and some push in your routein and you'll be sorted for calisthenic strenght.

sorry typo "push ups in your routine"

weighted is great I think as long as you are not loosing form or core activation.

I used to have a 70Kg Pull Up 1 rep max (those were the days!!!!) using Barbell plates strapped around waist.
Felt great & strong!!!
As Mark said, whatever your doing, maintain form!!!

Just started doing them and I certainly feel it, even after 4 or 5. In fact thats when I usually stop!

Anyone ever try to do pull ups keeping the body totally straight? If you can do about ten normally you might only be able to do 3 this way. Slow and totally straight.

I find its inadvertant that you use you legs even a little bit to help you on your way, must be hard not doing that.

just curiosity here , dont wann ago off topic ... arms straight or slightly bent before you lify back up ?

phil-big time.

If I have them slightly bent I hold at the bottom for a couple of seconds to increase the strain on the muscle.

Think that is the most common way I do it anyway.

Mark, started the straight body pulls a couple months ago............... stopped about 3 sessions later when i could only do about 1 and a half!!!!! :-)

Phil, just looked at you profile pic, your shaping up nicely!!! lol

If you can only do one rep you'll get some pretty big gains. The muscles that are weak and cause you to only be able to do one, will strengthen. Keep in mind you are working way more muscles to keep posture.

They are pretty tough - I use to do them in a circuit with pretty much all the exercises being pretty tough... I think I started at 3.

Forgot I had that pic on there!

Tried the straight legs last night. Could not stop my legs slightly swinging forward. Will have to try harder next time.

Anyone tried muscle ups?

Check out the barbarians test on you tube, awesome.

There is a new tool out there to do the "perfect" push-ups that has not impact/stress on the joints. It was designed by a former US Navy Seal. Cant remember the name though.

Basically, they are a set of grips that rotate on ball-bearings, so you can twist when you go down, and straighten up as you lift up. It is meant to work all the relevant areas alot better than doing standard press-ups.

No doubt if you Google it you will find more info.

a have seen those mtk look pretty good..