Hi
Whats the best way to get good at body weight pull ups?
is it just a matter of practice and practice...or do u need to increase the strength in your back using weights ie barbell rows?

also what kind of progression and how quick can one look to improve?

thanks

I would say doing weighted exercises such as the Lat Pulldown or you could try the assisted pull up machines. Because one of two things have to happen, you get lighter or you get stronger.

read through this thread... http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=36227

there are a lot of good suggestions in there.

Why not just apply the standard 'lower reps, higher weight' strength training principle to pullups?

I couldn't do too many bodyweight pullups, so decided to do lower reps while holding a 4kg dumbell between my feet. It seems to have improved my strength in the exercise, so I can do more pullups without weight now.

EDIT: If doing weighted pullups isn't an option for you, then you could always try doing only the lowering portion of the exercise. I.e. when you can't do any more pullups, just climb to the top and lower yourself down slowly, and repeat.

No need to overcomplicate it. Assisted dip/pullup machines. Do 8-12 with the amount you need. Each time you hit 12, take a few lbs off. Keep going until its all you.

If you can already do them and just want to do a certain number of them then use the weight to hit that number and work it down the same way.

When I started doing pullups, it was a struggle to do 2 in a row. Every other day I would do 2 sets of 2. Within a couple weeks I was doing 3 sets of 5,4, and 3 reps. Now I do 3 sets of 6. My chinups progressed quite a bit faster than my pullups, so once my back heals up I'll be focusing on more back workouts.

Just keep doing what you can and eventually you will be able to do more.