Chin up/Pull up Routine

[ScottTX24]

I'm currently experiencing a large drop off when going from the first set to the second during pull ups/chin ups. Today I was able to perform 10 reps (first set) 6 reps (second set) 5 reps (third set). Is this normal to have such a noticeable drop off? And also, would I be better off going for say...3 sets of 6 and working my way up 1 rep next workout instead of going all out on my first set?

Thanks for any input,
Scott J.

[guru]

Scott,

Are you going to absolute failure in the first set? That can cause this. I am not too good at pull ups but Ihave noticed this on push ups. If I do 25-26 in the first set which is absolute failure, I get to only 13-14 in the next.But if I stop at 23 when it gets really tough (my speed decreases), the second set can tweak to 20.

The rest you take between the sets also matters.

BTW, don't mind but there is a separate section for body weight exercises.

- Guru

[ScottTX24]

Scott,

Are you going to absolute failure in the first set? That can cause this. I am not too good at pull ups but Ihave noticed this on push ups. If I do 25-26 in the first set which is absolute failure, I get to only 13-14 in the next.But if I stop at 23 when it gets really tough (my speed decreases), the second set can tweak to 20.

The rest you take between the sets also matters.

BTW, don't mind but there is a separate section for body weight exercises.

- Guru

Yea i just saw that section and hit myself on the forehead, sorry... I go to absolute failure on every set and I rest 1 min 15 seconds between sets. So would you say it's more beneficial to just crank out the reps to failure every set or to do 3x6,6,6 and in the following workouts continue with 3x7,6,6 3x7,7,6 etc.

[guru]

I would advise to stop just before failure. With that you can normally churn out a larger volume, which is beneficial e.g. If you're able to make 10,6,5 (total 21 which is a damn good number anyway) with failure, maybe you'll end up 9,8,6 (total 23). But you'll have to try it to see what works better for you.

- Guru

[ScottTX24]

I'll give that a shot next week. Thanks for the help