Lifeline USA Pullup Revolution

Hey everyone! I''ll preface my comments by saying I''m a U.S. Marine that got off active duty and let myself get a bit too far out of shape following shoulder surgery. Because of this I needed to get myself back up to speed, and not being able to afford a full gym membership I decided to go the low-tech route. I got the doorway pullup bar and have been having trouble with my surgically repaired shoulder. So I''d been on a quest to find something to help. I''d tried just using a stool or chair to give me an assist, then I tried doing negative pullups, but still felt off.

Here''s where the pullup revolution comes in. I literally got this today and have been using it off and on and let me say you do notice a difference sort of like using the gravitron machine. The reason I took a star off is because it seems to be designed to be used with a free standing pull up bar that goes well above your head, so in other words it''s a bit awkward to use with one of the door mounted pull up bars because you need to have your legs fully extended. When I''m using it I have to either curl my knees up towards my chest (which I''ve always been told is bad form)or stick your legs out and lean back almost as if your doing rows.

The overall product is exactly what was described and very well made and sturdy. The problem is that the resistance it offers isn''t what most people attempting pullups for the first time are going to need. There are few things more depressing then putting up your bar, putting this thing in place, and then stepping into the stirrup and pretty much just sinking to the floor and staying there.

It is really hard to build up the strength to do pullups i say this as someone who used to have the strength but then got seriously out of shape as the various forms of practice assistance tend to just muck the matter up and not have you fully engage the proper muscles. The Pullup Revolution is a step in the right direction, but the three lightweight bands are only going to help short and/or skinny people get over the bar.

Thankfully Lifeline has their own website that i managed to find and they sell the bands separately that can be used with the Pullup Revolution. Amazon also sells the various resistance-levels if you phrase the search properly. Do some real math and an honest inventory of your strength your weight minus the resistance of the bands and whether you can realistically pull that much up. There''s a reason you''re not doing pullups without this thingy. And I think the resistance offered as the "Default" is way too light for most people who can''t do pullups.

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First, I''m a little annoyed at the design of the upper plastic piece which naturally rotates 90 degrees and catches on your clothing, but otherwise this is an excellent product and is highly recommended for P90X/P90X2. Note, the bands assist more at the bottom than the top so it works the muscle more when it''s short than when it''s long.

If you weight ~165 and can do at least 1 pullup or come close, I''d get Red. If you aren''t close to being able to do a pull-up or are really heavy, try Yellow or Green. If you can do 6 pullups, move up a color (Orange or Magenta), if you can do 12 pullups, try purple.

Teal (~20lbs assistance at bottom)

Purple

Pink

Magenta

Orange

Red (~100lbs assistance at bottom)

Yellow

Green

Blue (~150lbs assistance at bottom)

Read Best Reviews of Lifeline USA Pullup Revolution Here

As a long-time classical weightlifter, I''m naturally suspicious of any fitness gadgets that come on the market. Most don''t work, are flimsy and just a plain waste of money. And I bought this product fully expecting to hate it and return it in a few days.

But I wanted to give it a try, because one of my long-time goals that I''ve never managed is to be able to do 10 free pullups....a difficult target, since I''m female.

Well, I haven''t got there yet...but in less than one week I''m already making progress.

As long as you have an available bar (or freestanding pull up tower) this product is terrific! I wouldn''t try to use this on some of the door bars...you do need room to swing forward a bit. And the wider and more unobstructed the pull up area is, the better. With a hanging knee lift tower, make sure to do pullups facing away from the back rest.

It turns any bar into a home-made Gravitron...better even, since Gravitrons take all the stabilization muscles out of the exercise. This doesn''t. It''s sturdy, and way cheaper than other assistance powerlifting bands on the market.

My *only* complaint is the position of the plastic connection bracket, near the foot. It tends to rub against the shin a bit, which is annoying. But over time, I think you can learn to position your foot to avoid that, and wear boots, if necessary.

GREAT product. I''m on my way to 10 pullups! And it''s really addictive!

PS: There''s apparently a "Pro" version that has a pushup assistance belt. Wish I''d known about that, too...and hope that Lifeline makes it available as a standalone accessory to purchase...

ADDENDUM 3/3/11 Still LOVE the product...but have to say that the customer service is beyond ABYSMAL. Have emailed the company twice to inquire re: purchasing a separate Belt attachment (as with the Pro version.) Haven''t rec''d a single reponse, even just to say no. Horrible, horrible customer service. But the bands are still worth it.

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This product has a lot of great uses and is useful for even those who can do unassisted or even weighted pull-ups.

Here''s what I really liked about it:

1) It actually works.

2) It''s easy to customize the degree of difficulty by either changing the length of the strap or removing a band.

3) It allows you to focus on form and getting a full range of motion. (Don''t be one of those many people in the gym going only half-way down!)

4) It can be used for other exercises other than pull-ups. Really cool ones for working the core, glutes, and hamstrings. (You got to watch the DVD)

5) The DVD was actually pretty cool and informative.

The only thing I didn''t like about it was that the "strap band connector mechanism thing" rubs on the stomach (assuming you keep your feet right under your torso and not out, as a real unassisted pull-up should be). Not a major issue, and one that can be countered via padding, a thicker shirt, etc.

All in all, great product. Recommended to anyone looking to work on, or add a variation to their pull-up routines. I wouldn''t make this a primary workout, as recommended in the DVD, but it is a wonderful addition to spice things up a bit.

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