How to Make Pullups MUCH Easier

If you think a handful of pull-ups makes you strong… it might be time to rethink your standards.

In this video, I’m breaking down why pull-ups are one of the most brutally honest tests of upper body strength—and why so many people struggle with them despite training consistently. The issue isn’t effort. It’s what you’re training—and what you’re leaving out.

Most people overemphasize pressing movements like bench press and shoulder work while neglecting the muscles that actually drive pulling strength. Without strong scapular control, a developed upper back, and proper arm involvement beyond just biceps and triceps, your strength won’t carry over to the bar.

That’s why pull-ups expose everything:
Weak lats
Poor scapular function
Imbalances from years of bad posture
Gaps in real pulling strength

On top of that, pull-ups are a direct reflection of your strength-to-weight ratio. The more non-contributing mass you carry, the harder every rep becomes. But being under-muscled creates the same issue—you simply don’t have the force production to move your body efficiently.

This is what makes pull-ups such a powerful benchmark:
They don’t reward shortcuts
They don’t hide weaknesses
They don’t lie about your strength

Whether you’re trying to get your first rep or increase your total, improving your pull-ups requires building real, transferable strength through proper training—not just doing more reps.

If you want to improve your upper body strength, fix muscle imbalances, and start performing pull-ups the right way, you need a plan that addresses the entire chain involved in the movement.

For more tips on building muscle, correcting posture, stretching, and chronic aches and pains, be sure to stay tuned to this channel and remember to subscribe so you never miss another video from a physical therapist with a pro sports background as a PT and strength coach.

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Jeff Cavaliere MSPT, CSCS served as both the head physical therapist and assistant strength coach for the New York Mets. Jeff earned his Masters of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s of Physioneurobiology from the College of Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).