17 pull ups

Like many women in the 1990s - when I saw Linda Hamilton knocking out those pullups on "Terminator 2" i thought "wow - how cool to be that strong". So throughout the 90s - I worked on my pullups.

By 1999 - I was able to knock out 50 (2 sets of 20 and 1 set of 10) underhanded pullups and 36( 3 sets of 12) over handed pulllups - full body weight with good form. (no twisting, jerking with my legs or swinging) I'd alternate days - 1 day I'd do the underhanded - rest a couple of days - my next workout I'd do the overhanded. I had biceps, pecs and lats - but I never had full on buff arms. :(

I was even able to do more overhanded pullups than my badass climbing buddy, Vickie. (even tho her arms are ripped and way more beauitful than mine ever were) I must admit - I liked all the comments people made when they saw me crank out those pullups.

But that was over 7 years ago - since then I hurt my shoulder, then I moved to Boulder, then I started riding bikes and rarely did any upper body workouts. My lats and pecs are long gone.

Last year after getting my rigid SS and riding the snot out of it - I realized how weak my upper body was....the SS requires a lot more upper body strength. So I resolved to hit the gym this off-season to work on my upper body strength. Michelle Grainger gave me some pointers for exercises to do - so in addition to her suggestions I've been also working on my pullups.

My first attempt 4 weeks ago - I was able to get 1 underhanded pullup - I'd rest and do 2 more sets of 1. It was very discouraging to be so weak. I could tell my tendons would have to get used to this motion again. So I've been consistently going to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and in addition to the other exercises - i've been slightly discouraged because as of last week I've been only able to get 4 pullups on my first set.

Yesterday - I hit the gym and after a good warmup - I started on my pullups. As I did the 1st one I thought "hmm...this is almost easy - I feel strong" and I was able to crank out 8 really good pullups - on the 9th one I could tell my form was slipping so I stopped. Set 2 was 5 pull ups and Set 3 was 4 pullups. 17 pullups. I'm pretty stoked to see progress. My goal is get to at least 36 underhanded pullups and 21 overhanded pullups. we'll see....