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I can only do about 3 full pullups (from completely extended to head above bar). I hear that pullups are a great way to build muscle, but I wonder if this could really be true if you can't do very many yet.
Are pullups still a great workout if you can only do a couple at a time? Should I build my arms in other ways, like benching and pushups, then start working out with pullups when I am strong enough to do more at once?
You should do multiple sets of chin-ups, using negatives to get a larger total number for the workout. If you can only do three pull-ups in a set, then do three--strict ones, good ones, all the way down and all the way up--and then do another three as negatives (jumping to the top and lowering yourself down as slowly as possible), then wait three minutes and do it again, then wait three minutes and do it again, then wait three minutes and do it again, then wait three minutes and do it one last time. If you can't get three every time that's fine. Use the negatives to get five or so in a set, and do several sets.
If you can't do even one full range of motion strict no-kipping pull-up, the lat pull-down machine, assisted pull-up machine, and bands would also be called for.
You should also do bench press or push-ups or dips to build the opposing muscle, for both health and looking big.
Yes, you should be building your arms by doing pressing motions, like bench press and overhead press.
However, they will have a negligible effect on your ability to do a pull-up. So, waiting until your bench press or overhead press is strong isn't worth it.
Ideally, you'd do pull-ups/chin-ups in a program that also includes bench press and overhead press movements as main lifts.
3 full pull-ups isn't a bad starting point.
