Rhomboid major muscle and middle trapezius

[Grayland]

Originally Posted by thekunk07

if you really are 100lbs, then you probably don't want to walk into a gym. you may even want to just kill yourself. any idiot can put on muscle for chrissakes. and i'm not impressed when a 100-180lb person busts out lots of reps for chins. the lighter you are/shorter you are, the easier it is. no offense.

Honestly not trying to start an argument, but I've never understood that mentality; ie. it's easier for smaller guys to do pull ups. Why would it be easier? Small guy can pull his bodyweight up; why can't big guy pull his bodyweight up? Assuming both guys are in shape (not overweight blobs), shouldn't the muscles on each be able to pull the body up? Big guy obviously weighs more, but also obviously has bigger arms, back and all the other muscles that go into a pull-up. If not, then he either weighs too much for his strength or his muscles are all show, no go.

I will agree that I rarely see the huge guys doing pull-ups. It's too bad as it is as functional exercise as there is.

 

[why]

Originally Posted by Grayland

Honestly not trying to start an argument, but I've never understood that mentality; ie. it's easier for smaller guys to do pull ups. Why would it be easier? Small guy can pull his bodyweight up; why can't big guy pull his bodyweight up? Assuming both guys are in shape (not overweight blobs), shouldn't the muscles on each be able to pull the body up? Big guy obviously weighs more, but also obviously has bigger arms, back and all the other muscles that go into a pull-up. If not, then he either weighs too much for his strength or his muscles are all show, no go.

I will agree that I rarely see the huge guys doing pull-ups. It's too bad as it is as functional exercise as there is.

Muscles and size aren't uniform across the body. Most of the weight from big guys are on muscles that don't do much for a chin-up (legs, core, triceps, etc.).

 

[briancl]

Originally Posted by Grayland

Honestly not trying to start an argument, but I've never understood that mentality; ie. it's easier for smaller guys to do pull ups. Why would it be easier? Small guy can pull his bodyweight up; why can't big guy pull his bodyweight up? Assuming both guys are in shape (not overweight blobs), shouldn't the muscles on each be able to pull the body up? Big guy obviously weighs more, but also obviously has bigger arms, back and all the other muscles that go into a pull-up. If not, then he either weighs too much for his strength or his muscles are all show, no go.

I will agree that I rarely see the huge guys doing pull-ups. It's too bad as it is as functional exercise as there is.

I thought this would be intuitively obvious, but.... A smaller person has a lot less inactive weight during a pull up. Everything from the waist down is just dead weight.. muscle, fat, bone, fluids. In a pull up or chin up, the ratio of activated muscles to dead weight favors the smaller person.

Also, if you are taller, your upper body is not naturally more developed than a shorter person. I could give a little on lower body (legs carry around more weight, perhaps), but upper body is not magically stronger with height.

My anecdotal evidence: I spend a lot of time around the area where the pull up bars are located at my gym. Around 75% of the people I see doing pullups have to jump up to reach the bar (because they're short). It's a rare sight to see someone of average height cranking out full sets of pullups. I do agree with you that the exercise is important, and I am currently doing 3x10 wide grip with 20 pounds assist, and that kills me.

 

[migo]

1) I've been playing soccer all my life...most of my muscle is in my meaty thighs.

2) I do my pullups with 20 pounds strapped on...just because I don't weigh much doesn't mean I have it easy. To a certain extent, strength is relative, but I'm stronger than a lot of people my size/weight.

3) I'm a proponent of the simple moves too. I've gained most of my strength from compound moves. To add to (1), I squat regularly, and I prefer clean and presses to any targeted exercise any day. Apart from the fact that you can move more weight, it saves me time rather than doing a suite of exercises.