That's Fit

More and more people are turning back the clocks with their workouts. Instead of using the latest and greatest in fitness equipment and gadgetry, several personal trainers and exercisers alike are sticking to the basics. Why? Because as time has shown us, they work.

A great example can clearly be found in the pull-up. This movement works your back, shoulders, and bicep muscles just about as well as any ten thousand dollar Hammer Strength machine can. However, no matter how effective any exercise (or entire exercise program) may be, you will always need to change it at some point. Failing to do so will cause your body to plateau, for it will be accustomed to your workout and no longer respond to the workload being placed upon it. To that end, a simple modification to this classic muscle-toner requires that you only alternate from side-to-side.

To perform the Alternating Side Chin-Up, start by placing a cable-row handle over the pull-up bar. Next, grasp the handle with a neutral grip, your palms facing each other as you hang from the pull-up bar via the handle. Keeping your midsection tight to prevent your body from swinging, slowly raise yourself up closer to the bar. As you reach the top, turn your body to a slight angle to allow your chin to clear either side of the handle. Next, lower yourself and repeat the movement, this time raising yourself to the opposite side of your hands.

If you're not strong enough just yet to perform this exercise on a regular pull-up bar, try doing them from the horizontal pull-up position.