Assisted Pullups Bands vs Machine

It’s hard to know what to pick when there are so many options.

You see guys using bands to get stronger at pullups. Other people use the assisted machine. You might even have resistance bands sitting in your Amazon cart whilst you debate buying them.

See you probably think about bands vs machines like this

• The assisted machine will make me be able to do a pullup

• When I see guys using bands to assist, they have to balance

• Pullups require that balancing

• The assisted machine doesn’t have any balancing

• Banded pullups must be better

I wish things were that simple.

Here’s what most people don’t realise about using bands on pullups.

It’s purpose it to help you learn the movement.

I know that might sound obvious…

“Movement.. yeah??? That’s why I’d do it?”

If you can’t do a pullup there’s one of two reasons

1. You haven’t quite figured out the stability aspect yet

2. Your lats are too weak

And what does band do?

Oh well uh it makes it easier to do an unstable movement.

Exactly.

Bands on pullups shouldn’t be seen as something that helps you get stronger. They should be seen as something that helps you learn that difficult movement. Otherwise, we end up spending a lot of time making poor progress.

See I’m not against bands at all.

If you have a home gym, it’s probably ideal.

The second you have a lat pulldown, or assisted pullup machine.

Well that’s what’s going to get your lats strong and big.

If your goal is to do a pullup, the quickest path there is making sure your lats are strong first.

If you don’t actually even care about pullup, there’s no reason to ever do them.

Stay consistent, build your lats, and fly.

Your Hypertrophy Hero,
Fletcher

P.S. If your goal is pullups but you don’t think you’ll be buying bands any time soon. Try out “negative pullups” the second you’re think your lats are strong enough (based on lat pulldowns/machine pullups). These will teach that form in a similar way, but don’t actually build muscle.