Ab usage in pullups

[The Red Dragon]

I can't seem to do pullups without feeling that I'm going to pull my ab muscles. How much are abs used in this movement anyway? Does anyone else get this? Perhaps I should really go heavy on the ab training.

 

[bignate73]

shouldnt be used much unless you are possibly doing them wrong. if you are pulling with your upper back exclusively, then your abs should feel lengthened, if you are rounding over your back(essentially using your arms more), internally rotating your upper arm, you will crunch over a bit.

 

[Scotsman]

Also if your abs are too tight this stretched them an extreme amount and may explain the discomfort you feel. or you may be trying to lift your legs without realizing you are doing it.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[MattRecc]

even when i do strict pull-ups, i feel it in my abs, but its more just of a stretch, your stomach acts as a stabilizer in many exercsies, such as standing overhead presses, so i would say that unless you are crunching your stomach and rounding your back, it shouldnt be a problem

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

shouldnt use your abs at all in chins. aim to pull to your collarbone with chest out and back arched, legs curled behind you. i think if you are rounding your back and feeling your abs your form is off

 

[Synpax]

no ab use in chins. Ditto BBF.

It may be a reflex of a difficult exercises and be more related to your diaphram than your abs, specificcaly.

 

[coolcolj]

well if you body angles forward then the abs come into plays

 

[cmdubs]

my abs are ALWAYS sore after heavy chins

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

well if you body angles forward then the abs come into plays

bad form

 

[Dave949]

shouldnt use your abs at all in chins. aim to pull to your collarbone with chest out and back arched, legs curled behind you. i think if you are rounding your back and feeling your abs your form is off

I couldn`t agree more ....... The only joints moving should be your shoulders and elbows.

 

[coolcolj]

It's a matter of balance, chinning isn't stricly vertical in motion, espeically if you try and touch your chest on the bar when chinning explosively

also when chinning on a powerrack one doesn't go strictly vertical, the grip used doesn't allow that.

You can do chins more like a row as well