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Pull Your Weight: Why Assisted Pull-Ups Are the Perfect Workout for Reading Break
By Judah Omale on February 14, 2025
Reading break is all about taking a step back from school stress, but that doesn’t mean you should take a break from fitness. If you’re looking for a simple yet effective exercise to add to your workouts, assisted pull-ups are a fantastic choice. Whether you’re a beginner working toward unassisted pull-ups or just want to build upper-body strength, here’s why you should incorporate them into your break.
1. Builds Upper-Body Strength Without Heavy Weights
Assisted pull-ups target your back, shoulders, biceps, and core, making them one of the best bodyweight exercises for upper-body strength. Unlike heavy barbell lifts, they don’t require intense loading, which makes them easier on your joints while still being highly effective.
2. Perfect for All Fitness Levels
If regular pull-ups feel out of reach, the assisted version is a great way to progress. Whether you use a resistance band or an assisted pull-up machine, you can adjust the difficulty to match your strength level and gradually work toward unassisted reps.
3. Great for a Quick and Effective Workout
Reading break is about balance—no one wants to spend all their free time in the gym. Assisted pull-ups are a great addition to a short, efficient workout. Pair them with push-ups or dips for a simple yet effective upper-body session that takes less than an hour.
4. Improves Posture and Shoulder Health
If you’ve been spending long hours hunched over textbooks or a laptop, assisted pull-ups can help. They strengthen your back and shoulders, improving posture and reducing the risk of shoulder pain or imbalances caused by too much sitting.
5. Helps You Master the Full Pull-Up
One of the best reasons to do assisted pull-ups is that they help you build the strength and technique needed for full, unassisted pull-ups. Over time, you can reduce the assistance level until you’re pulling your full body weight with ease. Reading break is the perfect time to reset and refocus—not just on school but on fitness too. Whether you’re working toward your first pull-up or just want to maintain your strength, assisted pull-ups are a great addition to your routine. Take advantage of the break, hit the gym, and start pulling your way to better fitness! To see my video on assisted pullups and how they work go to my Instagram account.
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