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This is an example of a Weight-Assist Machine. The woman in the photo is using it for dips, but this particular machine also supports Chin-Ups. Some Gyms and Fitness Centers have these. The one where I work out has one, and with it, I'm able to get 10 reps instead of my normal 3.

The common wisdom is that the chin up (supinated grip) targets the biceps. It also appears to target the pectoralis major. The pull up targets the lower trapezius more. Source Ellington Darden also says the chin up better targets the lats because the involvement of the biceps means the arms won't give out as quickly as the pull up, allowing the back to get ...

Hands facing away tends to focus on your back and lats. Hands facing toward you emphasizes the biceps. As far as which to use when... that depends on what you are trying to accomplish with that workout. Obviously, the two still use a lot of the same muscle groups so take that into account if you're going to use both.

It doesn't really matter much - you are lifting the same weight no matter how much (or little) you shift your center of mass by moving your legs. Excessively rounding your lower back might have other consequences, though I haven't found any references to back this up. However, keeping your legs straight will activate your abs (especially upper abs in my ...

Any exercises that work your lats and biceps should be about equally as effective if you do them correctly and in sufficient quantity/sets. After about a month or so of steady training you should be able to start doing regular pull-ups without assistance, if only a few. Just keep working at it. One of my personal favorites is just getting on a chair or ...

I haven't worked out using straps but I would consider they are similar to still rings. The difference between still rings and pull-up bar exercising is that the rings are not static, they can move and as informaficker said you need to maintain a good balance on them in order to exercise. Once you get more experienced and gain strength it would not make a ...

From your other question I know that the lat pulldown machine broke down, however: Using a machine does not really prepare you for the real exercise. To improve any body weight or free weight exercise it is best to not use a machine. The machine controls the path of the weight and you don't have to worry about the weight dropping uncontrolled or tipping over ...

From Training Dimensions: Greasing the Groove is a technique used to practice any strength movement at a high volume without requiring a long period of recovery. If you are new to pullups, greasing the groove allows you to practice pullups often, teaching your central nervous system to perform the movement more efficiently. In greasing the groove, you ...

In addition to hands facing away and hands facing towards you, you can also work different muscle groups by varying the width of your grip. While a wide grip will focus on your upper/outer lats, a closer grip will target your lower lats. Check out this resource on Pull-Ups for photos and more tips.

If you have access to a gym, try (in order of preference): Assisted pull-up machine - generally there is a platform with an adjustable counterweight under the pullup bar that you kneel on Band-assisted pull-up using an elastic band - tie to the pullup bar, and then stand in the other end with one or both feet Lat pulldowns

The point is just that the band assisted chin should not be thought of as an "easier chin-up." It is a different exercise, it is a different skill that you are learning. (The non-linear nature of the band helping you out most at the bottom, where the shoulder mobility that most people lack is most important, making it easier to start with bad shoulder ...

This is a great question! As far as muscle recruitment goes, the bent-over barbell rows do yield the most muscle activity for the lats (back) and the biceps during EMG (electromyographic studies); however, this is only when you comparing with other bent-over row exercises (dumbbell, cable, etc.). Regarding the most effective lat and bicep exercises, ...

I didn't really feel that I get a training effect if I could only do one good form pull up in a row. So as my exercise was really lacking a pulling motion, I found Inverted Rows to be a great way to work up to pull ups or chin ups. You can do inverted rows nearly everywhere, either over or underhand. At the gym you could hang a barbell into a rack and get ...

I suppose he mentioned it because in general when one is using bands to help himself with the chin-ups he gets used to them and forgets that they must be there just temporary. However his statement is not true. I did not use bands when learning the chin-up but I did use bands when learning the One Arm Chin Up(Disclosure: this is my personal website). It was ...

Take this answer with a grain of salt as I've never done anything besides (underhand) inverted rows or pull ups, chin ups or neutral grip pull ups when training for pull ups. From what I've read the band assisted pull ups mostly help you in the lower part of the pull up. Resistance bands only help you in the bottom position. You'll have to do most of ...

Seems your best bet would be to use resistance bands. Figure out your max with the strongest resistance band. once you have established this number than do your sets throughout the day with 60-75% of that number. As you increase your repetitions over time use lighter resistance bands and then eventually no resistance bands at all.

There does seem to be some gradation of training schemes that effective at low numbers of repetitions (say less than 10) and those that are effective at reaching higher numbers. From my experience variations of 'volume training' (or sub-maximal training) seem to work well in the relatively low range of repetitions. The common theme in these schemes is that ...