The Pull-Up is a very popular exercise designed to increase upper body strength. It is a very simple exercise to do. It can be done without any special equipment. All you need is something that can support your body weight as you pull up. Typically, people do pull-ups on a bar and one is achieved when when the chin rises above the bar. As one continues to work out and add more pull-ups to their routine, there comes a time when they need additional weight in order to increased their strength. Some people complete pull-ups wearing a weighted vest or wearing a belt with weight attached to it in order to increase the amount of weight they will have to pull up. Getting to the level where one is having to add weight to their pull up is definitely an achievement. Check out this guy lifting his body weight AND 100 lbs.
As a student, you should be completing pull-ups as well. I’m not talking about actual pull-ups, but you are required to pull your own weight. Pulling your own weight as a student means that your are tending to YOUR responsibilities. Here are just a few of them:
- Do the things that your teacher asks you to do
- Come to class on time
- Focus and engage in the class discussion
- Don’t be a distraction
- Complete your assignments to the best of your ability and turn them in on time
These are just a few of the elements of a perfect pull-up. They require a lot of you and so it is very important that you focus on your responsibilities. Distractions and poor decisions can be added weight that you can’t afford to carry. Often times, when I will give an assignment, students will ask if they can work together. There is absolutely nothing wrong with working together and I encourage it. However, when you are deciding to work with someone else you need to make sure that you’re able to still pull your own weight. Perhaps there are times when you would like to work with someone else but you know in the back of your mind it will prevent you from completing the assignment either on time or to the best of your ability. This adds unnecessary weight and makes it difficult to handle your responsibilities. Just imagine someone adding weight to their pull-up when they aren’t quite ready. It is always wiser to make sure you can cover your responsibilities before you worry about anyone else. Pull Up and Up and Up. Think about it.
Marvin Byrd (c/o 98)
It Can Be Done