“Pull-up” Implies a Kipping Pull-up, and Then There’s C2B, Deadhang, Weighted, and L

Back Squat 3-3-3-3-3 reps

DSC_0023_2 — Tracie prepares for the Oly meet on February 5th with help from Ryan who gives her the feel for lifting infront of a judge. The in-house Oly meet comes complete with judged lifts!

Pull-ups and How to Read the Workouts

At Roots, we do many different kinds of pull-ups. The most common are kipping pull-ups, chest-to-bar kipping pull-ups, deadhang pull-ups, weighted pull-ups, and L pull-ups. Below is a run down of each. When reading the workout, “pull-ups” always IMPLIES that the pull-ups required are kipping pull-ups. Any deviation from this will be detailed accordingly in the workout.

Kipping Pull-ups

The kipping pull-up incorporates the gymnastics kip and the pull-up. The required range of motion for this exercise is chin over bar at the top of the pull-up and elbows coming to full extension at the bottom of the pull-up. This pull-up can be scaled with bands.

Chest-to-Bar Kipping Pull-ups

The chest-to-bar (or C2B) kipping pull-up is very similar to the kipping pull-up described above, except that the required range of motion is more difficult. In the chest to bar pull-up not only does the chin have to clear the top of the bar, the athlete’s chest (clavicle and below, not neck) must make contact with the bar. This pull-up can be scaled with bands.

Deadhang Pull-ups

The deadhang pull-up, also called a strict pull-up, requires the athlete to pull their body from a hanging position to chin above the bar with no momentum, kicking, or kipping. It is more of a pure strength movement. The relationship between a deadhang pull-up and a kipping pull-up is comparable to a strict shoulder press and a push-press. This pull-up can be scaled with bands.

Weighted Pull-ups

Weighted pull-ups simply mean that the athlete is adding weight to the pull-up by wearing a weight vest or holding a dumbbell between their feet. Weighted pull-ups can be incorporated as kipping pull-ups or deadhang pull-ups depending on the workout.

L Pull-ups

L pull-ups are based on a strict pull-up. There is no momentum or kip involved. In the L pull-up the athlete holds their legs out in an extended position (making their torso the upright portion of an “L” and their legs the horizontal portion) and pulls their chin over the bar.

So remember, anytime the workout at the shop says “pull-ups” it is implied that they are kipping pull-ups. Any other pull-up used in the workout will be specified in the text of the workout on the whiteboard.