Pullups - Assisted or no?

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by TBMorgan

what about the theory that the muscle needs a day of rest/recovery - doesn't it apply here -- maybe do them ever other day?

I can probably do pull-ups two days in a row, but pull-ups are no different than any other weightlifting exercise and you need recovery time between exercising those same muscles.

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

It depends on the intensity of the workout. I don't see any reason a beginner can't do 3-5 pull ups everyday. On the other hand, you can't do sets of weighted pull ups with a 45 pound plate everyday. You would burn out quickly.

A beginner could do pull-ups every day but at some point you have to recover between exercise days. I think a beginner with pull-ups is someone who is struggling to do two reps with good form. The majority of guys can't do 5 pull-ups with good form. No one would recommend that someone do bench presses everyday. The only difference with pull-ups is you can't lower your body weight (unless you do assisted pull-ups.)

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by villageidiot1

A beginner could do pull-ups every day but at some point you have to recover between exercise days. I think a beginner with pull-ups is someone who is struggling to do two reps with good form. The majority of guys can't do 5 pull-ups with good form. No one would recommend that someone do bench presses everyday. The only difference with pull-ups is you can't lower your body weight (unless you do assisted pull-ups.)

It's true that once you get past the beginner stage pull ups can't be done everyday. I wouldn't compare regular pull ups to an exercise like the bench press. I do regular pull ups as an accessory exercise on bench and deadlift day, usually 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Weighted pull ups are a different beast though. Even adding 25 lbs can make a big difference.