One-arm chin-ups

Jimbo Mahoney · 13 Nov 2006 at 12:35

Are these possible?

I was talking with a guy in work the other day, and we agreed that it was funny that a two-arm chin-up is easy, so surely a one-arm is just twice as hard?

Is there a technique?

Just got me thinking after I saw (for the first time in real life - ie not a film) a girl doing chin-ups in the gym (which was pretty hot, by the way!).

egt · 13 Nov 2006 at 12:45

Yep, it's possible by grabbing the bar with one hand and holding on to your wrist with the other to stabilize yourself.

TripleT · 13 Nov 2006 at 12:48

What he said ^

The hardest thing to overcome in the balance issue I'd have thought.

It's similar to one-arm press ups. In theory they're easy, but getting the techinque right is hard.

Killa_ken · 13 Nov 2006 at 12:48

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Are these possible?

I was talking with a guy in work the other day, and we agreed that it was funny that a two-arm chin-up is easy, so surely a one-arm is just twice as hard?

Is there a technique?

Just got me thinking after I saw (for the first time in real life - ie not a film) a girl doing chin-ups in the gym (which was pretty hot, by the way!).

theres a girl, a hot girl that does chin ups at our gym, and all the guys just stand and stare

Jimbo Mahoney · 13 Nov 2006 at 12:49

Killa_ken said:
theres a girl, a hot girl that does chin ups at our gym, and all the guys just stand and stare

Girls + chin-ups = hot.

Dunno why though? Any theories?

Zip · 13 Nov 2006 at 14:16

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Girls + chin-ups = hot.

Dunno why though? Any theories?

The slight bounce of there norks?

The sound they make?

The movement of there body?

You know they will have strong arms and wrists that will be able to entertain you for hours?

Killa_ken · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:22

Zip said:
The slight bounce of there norks?

The sound they make?

The movement of there body?

You know they will have strong arms and wrists that will be able to entertain you for hours?

LOL!

burns · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:36

It's certainly possible. A guy I used to go climbing with could manage a couple properly one handed, eg without holding onto the other wrist.

Volcs · 13 Nov 2006 at 20:26

Just one of the numerous cool things you can TRY to learn at http://www.beastskills.com

Goatboy · 13 Nov 2006 at 20:35

Jimbo Mahoney said:
that it was funny that a two-arm chin-up is easy, so surely a one-arm is just twice as hard?

I can do loads of chin ups but I can barely lower myself under control with only one arm.

Holding your wrist with the free hand is not a proper one arm pullup

This is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=itraKZFVxug

Vonhelmet · 13 Nov 2006 at 20:46

The record for one finger press ups is something like 157, so I think one armed chin ups are certainly possible.

cleanbluesky · 13 Nov 2006 at 20:57

Goatboy said:
I can do loads of chin ups but I can barely lower myself under control with only one arm.

Holding your wrist with the free hand is not a proper one arm pullup

This is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=itraKZFVxug

Very impressive, a one armed pullup is what it says on the tin... just one arm. Quite hard to do...

Morba · 13 Nov 2006 at 21:24

Goatboy said:
I can do loads of chin ups but I can barely lower myself under control with only one arm.

Holding your wrist with the free hand is not a proper one arm pullup

This is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=itraKZFVxug

hardcore!
thats impressive :]

I cant even do 1 chin unassisted yet :/
bloody fat ass weighing me down

Wang · 13 Nov 2006 at 21:28

cleanbluesky said:
Very impressive, a one armed pullup is what it says on the tin... just one arm. Quite hard to do...

Indeed, remember trying one of these in the gym a few months back (made sure it was nice and quiet first) and basically just hung there, think i managed to move myself by a centimetre and i literally gave it everything.

cleanbluesky · 13 Nov 2006 at 21:57

Wang said:
Indeed, remember trying one of these in the gym a few months back (made sure it was nice and quiet first) and basically just hung there, think i managed to move myself by a centimetre and i literally gave it everything.

I can get half way up but that's about it, and that's with all the climbing and weights I do.

I'm 13st and about 10% bodymass. I'm about 6`2" which makes me fairly lithe and muscular. I have seen a few people of similar build do it, but I think I have a way to go yet...

rayb74 · 15 Nov 2006 at 08:52

Anyone seen the breakdancer who starts doing pressups with his feet OFF the ground so his body and legs are parallel with the floor? Amazing and while it sounds quite easy just try it !

hood1971 · 15 Nov 2006 at 12:34

When I went on course in the army our Lieutenant was a tiny man - 5.6 and weighed about 60kg, so he didn't get much respect from us.

The one morning training was called off and we were in the barracks and he challenge us to a few fitness tests. We could nominate one guy for each of 4 events and he would take them on.

We were a bit in awe as he did 10 one-hard chinups with each arm and also won situps and squats - only losing the pushups.

Depth · 15 Nov 2006 at 14:20

I can do jumping one legged squats (pistols) and one armed press ups at a body weight of roughly 235lbs or so, but can't get anywhere near to doing even one one armed chin up.

cleanbluesky · 4 Jan 2007 at 23:09

Sorry to revive this, but was messing around at the climbing wall today...

First tried a 'one armer' holding my forearm. Then tried one using my bicep (much harder) and managed to get about 3/4 of the way up (although arm wasn't completely straight when I started...) so I'm getting there hopefully

Chong Warrior · 5 Jan 2007 at 17:50

Those one-arm pull-ups are very impressive, I'll never be able to do that. I can do 1 with my other arm holding my wrist but it's not a pretty sight as I grunt, shout and wriggle my way up

rayb74 said:
Anyone seen the breakdancer who starts doing pressups with his feet OFF the ground so his body and legs are parallel with the floor? Amazing and while it sounds quite easy just try it !

I've got that on my phone, he has incredible balance and body strength. He can also do a handstand and bend all the way over so his feet are just an inch off the floor! :eek:

Going to try and dig it up after, the boy can move

Though I think he's only about 5 foot he looks very short which would help a lot, his moves would be impossible for a 6 footer.

One-arm chin-ups

Man of Honour