I designed this workout when experimenting with my 30-Day Pull Up Challenge workouts and scheduling.

And while I intended it to simply help people achieve that first, or 15th!, Pull Up, I never expected it to be such a core killer…like…KILLER!

More clients tell me their entire core hurts, and is more sore after this one workout from my 30-Day Pull Up Challenge than from almost any other workout we do.

That is also why this workout is so effective at improving your Pull Ups – it builds your core strength while also activating and strengthening your back.

That’s right…core strength is ESSENTIAL to improving your Pull Ups.

And this workout…well…it hammers your core as it works to improve your scapular retraction and get your back activated and working correctly!

It also combines two other keys to improve your Pull Ups besides building core strength – it also uses Eccentric Pull Ups and Pull Up Holds.

Including both Eccentric Pull Ups and Pull Up Holds in your workout program is also essential if you want results fast. Combining these 3 elements – Core Strength, Eccentric Pull Ups and Pull Up Holds is what makes this workout one of the foundational workouts of my 30-day program (Ready to improve your Pull Ups and want the full program? Click HERE) .

Ready for a killer core workout that will improve your Pull Ups? Then try the one below!

The 30-Day Pull Up Workout

Warm up then complete 4-6 rounds of the first exercise, resting about 1 minute between rounds. Then rest 1-2 minutes before moving on to the supplemental circuits. Rest no more than 30 seconds between rounds of the supplemental circuits and 1-2 minutes between circuits. Complete 6-8 rounds of each of the supplemental circuits. Then cool down by rolling and stretching.

EXERCISE:
5-8 reps Eccentric Pull Ups

CIRCUIT #1:
20 seconds Pull Ups
20 seconds Handstand Hold
15-30 seconds Rest

CIRCUIT #2:
20 seconds Push Ups
20 seconds Pull Up Holds
15-30 seconds Rest

NOTES: Pick variations of each move that allow you to work the entire 20 seconds. While that seems short, it adds up. And if you don’t work the entire time, you won’t get in the volume that will help create changes. Regress as you go if needed. For the Eccentric Pull Ups, lower down as slowly as possible.

For Pull Ups, do the hardest version you can. Full pull ups, foot assisted pull ups, jumping pull ups….Something that will challenge your back for the time but allow you to keep moving even if you regress as you go!

For the Push Ups and Pull Up Holds, select moves that work on weak points. For instance, close grip will work your triceps more on push ups. Wide grip will work your chest more. On Pull Up Holds, hold at the top to work on lock out. Hold at the bottom to work on Scapular Retraction (aka getting your lats actually engaged so you can begin the Pull Up). Hold at the mid-point to work on getting over your stick point.