Pull ups
One of the oldest exercises in the book, along with the trusty push-up, both great exercises to do if you don’t have access to weight training equipment, for example while on holiday.
The pull up works the biceps and the lats simultaneously, though it needs strong forearms to grip the bar that you are pulling up on too.
There’s no real secret to how to do a pull up, it just requires good upper body strength, and it helps if you’re body isn’t too heavy as well. You often see skinny people able to do pull ups with ease, but it’s easier for them as they have less weight to lift.
Make sure you have a comfortable grip on the bar, then slowly pull up so that you chin touches the bar, hold for at least a second, then lower yourself back down. That’s one rep. Breathe in on the way up and out on the way down. Try and do each rep in a controlled fashion, you will need to use your core muscles to stabilise your body while doing this, and it sometimes helps to cross your legs at the knees, so that your weight is better distributed.
