Pull-ups: 3 sets to failure or add weight if completing more than 15 reps.

[LAandE]

Hey,

Pullups: 3 sets to failure or add weight if completing more than 15 reps.

taken from Mark Rippetoe's Practical Programming Novice Program, can someone please explain to me whether this means I should only add weight to pullups when i can do more than 15 in a single set or when I can do more than 15 across three sets (ie. 3x5).

I tried googling and can't find the answer. And I did 7, 7, 4 bodyweight pullups in my last gym session and i'm unsure when i should start adding weight. (I plateaued at about 9, 9, 9 bodyweight pullups earlier this year before injuring my shoulder from falling over, hence the uncertainty.)

 

[MikeW]

I'd guess 15 total reps, so 3x5. Add weight if you can do more than 3x5.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Bazza20]

Add weight when you can do 15 in a single set.

 

[Martigan]

I plan to add weight when i get to 5.

 

[walt]

i get to bw 20 reps, then add weight by adding a 20kg plate, rinse repeat.

 

[jzpowahz]

I take that as meaning add weight when you can do 3x5. Makes sense considering the rest of his programming.

 

[LAandE]

thanks for the responses

 

[MaxBrenner]

Once you can preform the necessary/goal repetitions with the current resistance/weight, increase the weight and start again. All of that is a part of progression

 

[Bazza20]

If you want to follow rips program i am sure I have read rip say chins are done for higher reps than the 3 sets of 5 that the rest of the program is. He means 15 reps in a single set then add weight.

But it's a assistance exercise just do what you want and make sure you are progressing.

 

[LAandE]

If you want to follow rips program i am sure I have read rip say chins are done for higher reps than the 3 sets of 5 that the rest of the program is. He means 15 reps in a single set then add weight.

But it's a assistance exercise just do what you want and make sure you are progressing.

i think i read that somewhere once (during the 15mins i spent searching the net for the answer)

i'll probably only add weight when i stall on my pullups/chinups, or get bored

all good