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Pull 4: Pull-up Starter and Grip Strength Builder Workout

🎯 Workout Description:

This session adds more time under tension and introduces scapula pull-ups to start prepping your shoulders and lats for their first real pull-up. You’ll also do some supported vertical pulling while building grip strength and shoulder endurance.

👤 Who It’s For:

Beginner to low-intermediate athletes ready to transition from rows and band pulls into more upright, gravity-based resistance (but still assisted).

🧰 Equipment Needed:

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Focus: Mixed
Difficulty: Beginner
Duration: Momentum (30-45 mins)
Equipment: Resistance bands
Primary muscles: Arms, Back, Biceps, Lats, Rhomboid

Warm-Up

10 min
Instructions:

Goal: Prepare the shoulders and core for overhead pulling and scapula activation.

Format: Circuit – 2 rounds, no rest between exercises or rounds

•5x Inchworms with Push-Up

•10x Towel Pass-Throughs

•12x Towel Bent Over Rows

Expect a gentle shoulder opening and core switch-on that preps you for hanging work.

Joint Warm-Up Routine
Joint Warm-Up Routine
5 min (optional)
joint warm up routine
Joint Warm-Up Routine 

No muscle groups found for this post.

Tips

  • Move slowly and deliberately to avoid sudden movements.

  • Keep circles smooth and controlled—avoid jerky motions.

  • Breathe steadily and deeply to maximize relaxation and blood flow.

  • Gradually increase the range of motion as your joints warm up.

  • Perform each movement for 15-20 seconds, or until joints feel loosened.

  • Customize your routine slightly based on the specific demands of your workout.

Inchworm Push-Up
Inchworm Push-Up
5 sec
inch worm to push up
Inchworm Push-Up 

Muscle group:

Tips

  • Keep your core actively engaged throughout to maintain stability and prevent excessive lower-back stress.

  • Walk your hands out progressively further as your strength and flexibility improve.

  • Focus on smooth transitions between each phase of the exercise to improve coordination and body control.

  • Use controlled breathing, matching each movement phase to inhalation and exhalation cycles.

  • Perform regularly as part of your warm-up routine to optimize flexibility, mobility, and upper-body strength.

Towel Pass Through
Towel Pass Through
10 reps
towel pass through
Towel Pass Through 

Muscle group:

You can also use a resistance band instead of a towel.

Tips

  • Start with a wider grip if you feel tightness in your shoulders.

  • If the movement feels too challenging, switch to a resistance band, which allows more flexibility.

  • Perform in front of a mirror to check for excessive arching or compensations.

  • Include it in your warm-up routine before upper body workouts, especially if working on overhead movements.

  • If you experience pain, stop and reassess your grip width and movement control.

Towel Bent Over Row
Towel Bent Over Row
12 reps
towel bent over row
Towel Bent Over Row 

Muscle groups:

You can also use a resistance band instead of a towel.

Tips

  • Keep Your Back Flat – Avoid rounding your spine by keeping your chest up and core engaged.

  • Control the Resistance – In self-resisted rows, make sure your non-working arm provides enough tension.

  • Squeeze the Shoulder Blades – This maximizes back muscle activation.

  • Use a Sturdy Anchor – If using an anchored towel, ensure it won’t slip or loosen.

  • Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades: This will help activate the target muscles and ensure proper form.

  • Maintain a Slight Knee Bend – This helps stabilize your position and prevent lower back strain.

Strength

25 min
Instructions:

Goal: Improve vertical pulling mechanics and scapular control using assistance from bands or feet.

Structure:

Superset A (3 rounds): Perform A1 + A2 back-to-back, rest 90 sec

Set B (2 sets): Performed on its own, rest 45 sec

🟦 Superset A:

A1: Scapula Pull-Ups (or Dead Hangs if not yet ready) – 5 reps or 20 sec hang

A2: Feet-Assisted Pull-Ups (use chair or floor support) – 6–8 reps

Rest 90 sec between rounds

🟩 Set B:

•Resistance Band Shrugs – 15 reps

Rest 45 sec between sets

Keep control during scapula pull-ups—don’t rush. For assisted pull-ups, aim to use your upper body as much as possible and just lightly assist with your feet.

Ring Scapula Pull-up
Ring Scapula Pull-up
5 reps or 20 sec hang
ring scapula pull up
Ring Scapula Pull-up 

Muscle groups:

Do it on gymnastics rings or a pull-up bar.

Tips

  • Keep Arms Straight – Do not bend your elbows; the movement should come only from the scapula.

  • Engage Your Core – Helps prevent excessive body movement or swinging.

  • Control the Descent – Avoid dropping too fast; lower with control.

  • Breathe Properly – Inhale while lowering, exhale while pulling your scapula together.

  • Use a Full Range of Motion – Ensure you fully depress and retract your scapula.

Feet Assisted Ring Pull-up
Feet Assisted Ring Pull-up
6–8 reps
feet assisted ring pull up
Feet Assisted Ring Pull-up 

Muscle group:

Do it on gymnastics rings or a pull-up bar.

For feet support, you can use a chair, plyo box or a stack of weight plates etc.

Tips

  • Use the Least Assistance Necessary – Rely on your upper body first, using your legs only as needed.

  • Keep Rings Close to Your Body – Prevent the rings from drifting outward for better control.

  • Engage Your Core to Avoid Swinging – Keep your torso tight and stable.

  • Control the Lowering Phase – Avoid dropping quickly, focus on a slow eccentric movement.

  • Breathe Properly – Inhale before pulling, and exhale at the top.

Resistance Band Shrugs
Resistance Band Shrugs
2 x 15 reps
resistance band shrugs
Resistance Band Shrugs 

Muscle group:

Tips

  • Keep the Core Tight: Engaging your core helps stabilize your torso, ensuring the movement focuses on the traps.

  • Focus on Shoulder Elevation: Avoid pulling with your arms; instead, focus on lifting your shoulders directly upward toward your ears.

  • Avoid Rolling the Shoulders: Lift your shoulders straight up and down; rolling the shoulders can lead to improper form and shoulder strain.

  • Controlled Movement: Perform the exercise slowly, focusing on squeezing the traps at the top and controlling the descent.

  • Breathe Steadily: Exhale as you lift into the shrug and inhale as you lower back down, maintaining a consistent rhythm.

HIIT Finisher

10 min
Instructions:

Goal: Build push-pull balance, core endurance, and total-body fatigue resistance.

Format: 4 rounds – 45 sec work / 15 sec rest

→ Alternate between:

•Push-Ups (from knees or full)

•Walking Lunges

→ 4 rounds = 10 minutes

You’ll be tired, but that’s part of the point—learning to keep tension under fatigue builds control and strength for future pull-up work.

Regular Push-ups
Regular Push-ups
45 sec
regular push up
Regular Push-ups 

Muscle groups:

If too hard replace with Knee Push-up.

Tips

  • Body Alignment: Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels. Engage your core and glutes to prevent your hips from dropping or rising.

  • Hand Placement: Your hands should be positioned just outside of shoulder-width for optimal stability. Moving them closer or wider will target different muscles.

  • Elbow Positioning: Keep your elbows at about a 45-degree angle from your body, not flaring out too far to avoid shoulder strain.

  • Breathing: Inhale as you lower yourself, and exhale as you push back up. Controlled breathing improves strength and endurance.

  • Controlled Movements: Lower yourself slowly to build strength, then push back up with a smooth, steady motion.

Walking Lunges
Walking Lunges
45 sec
walking lunges
Walking Lunges 

Muscle groups:

If you don't have a large enough space for walking lunges do Reverse Lunges instead.

Tips

  • Maintain Upright Posture: Keep your torso upright and chest lifted throughout the movement. Avoid leaning forward or arching your back.

  • Step with Control: Focus on controlled, deliberate steps. Rushing the movement can lead to poor form and injury.

  • Knee Alignment: Ensure that your front knee stays aligned with your toes and doesn’t go past your toes as you lunge.

  • Push Through the Heel: When you push off to bring your back leg forward, drive through the heel of your front foot to engage your glutes and hamstrings effectively.

  • Engage Your Core: Keep your core engaged to help with balance and stability as you move forward.

  • Avoid Overstriding: Taking too large a step can cause your back leg to overstretch and may place unnecessary stress on your joints.

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