Before I start the simplefit programme I have one question.

[Westycoot]

Hi all,

It's summer holidays in the UK and I've decided to try simplefit as I have more time on my hands for something new.

My question is this: As I do not have have a pull-up bar and there is no real place I could put one in my house, is there another thing I could substitute it for? I have 2 5kg dumbbells atm that I used to use when I was younger, but I could easily buy more heavier dumbbells etc. Could I do a certain amount of reps/sets with these as a substitute? Are there any other substitutes?

Thanks for your time.

[Bri3626]

Before you decide on not doing pullups I would look around your home and outside and see if there is something you can do a pullup on. When I'm at my mother in-law's place I find the nearest acceptable tree branch. Sometimes you can find something in your house that you can use such as a ledge or a fixture. worst case scenario you could do door pullups. Not quite the same thing but about the closest you will find if nothing else is available.

If you don't have a bar I would look at ordering one. You can look on the main website here and order one if there isn't a sporting goods store in the UK that carries one.

For this program to work efficiently you really need to have access to pullups. There are substitutes such as using weight machines but it still isn't the same thing and really just isnt a good substitute. Free weights doing rows can sort of substitute but again isn't the same thing. I worked out with a guy many years ago that could do dumbell rows with 120 lbs but couldn't do more than a couple pullups.

Your case is not unique and many people find this a stumbling block but you just need to get inventive and find a place to do pullups. I guarantee you there is one there somewhere. heh.

[Westycoot]

Thanks for your quick reply!

I have a little ledge above a door frame I guess I could use, but do you not have to do it underarm rather than overarm, or does it not matter? Bit worried about grip too, but may not be too much of an issue. I will have a look around the house for a place to put up a bar - will also need to look for a bar in some local fitness stores etc.

Thankyou.

[Bri3626]

In Simpleft overhand or underhand doesn't really matter as long as you can accomplish the pullup in good form. Doing them from a ledge is a bit more challenging especially as the ledge narrows. But could help a lot if your into bouldering. My son would use narrow door ledges to help strengthen his fingers. If that is your case though I would be careful of tendon injury. Developing strength in fingers like that takes a long time. Shouldn't be too big a problem though if you have a fair portion of your fingers over the ledge.

Good luck and welcome to Simplefit!