[Dr. Vazquez is a volunteer assistant coach at Athletic Lab. Dr. is a CrossFit L1 Trainer, NASM-CPT, Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist and USAW L1 Sports Performance Coach. You can follow him on Twitter & Instagram @FitDre or check out his website] There are many reasons you may be unable to do a pull-up. Maybe you're too heavy or too weak. Maybe you're unstable, injured, or immobile. Kipping pull-ups could be getting in your way. Or perhaps your own laziness and impatience are the culprit. No matter the reason, one thing is clear: Telling yourself it's impossible is the first stupid self-deprecating idea you absolutely must toss in the toilet along with the other voices being whispered in your ears. That kind of wasteful thinking won't get you over the bar. Stop practicing self-pity, being jealous of others, and having that defeatist attitude. Instead, roll up your sleeves, put on some big-boy/big-girl pants, and let's go to work! Below is my beginner's pull-up plan, which will help you move into several other variations including but not limited to the coveted muscle-up. You just can't build a strong upper body and shoulders without a deep-seated foundation--which takes time, preparation and a little bit of patience. You may currently be able to haphazardly throw your body up and down on the bar, which you tell yourself is a kip, and while you rip your rotator cuff muscles and shred the tendons and ligaments around your shoulder girdle, you'll be slapping your own face knowing you should have just followed your coach's advice and or read this article first! Let's start with these fancy terms! Part 1. Isaac Newton and Body Fat Percentage What goes up must come [...]