Are you a woman determined to master the pull-up? Do you find yourself longing to achieve that impressive feat of strength but feel stuck in your progress? If so, you're in the right place. Hi, I'm Angela Gargano, and I've guided over 500 women in conquering their first pull-up. And I'm here to share my unique approach tailored specifically for women like you. ‍

Perhaps you've been relying on assisted bands or attempting intimidating drills without much success. It's time to shift your mindset and embrace a new strategy—one that breaks down the journey into manageable phases.

Phase One: Hanging On ‍

Let's start at the beginning. Phase one involves simply hanging onto the bar, even if only for a few fleeting seconds. It may feel challenging at first, but it's a crucial foundation to build upon. Focus on your grip strength and gradually increase your hang time as you gain confidence.

Phase Two: Extended Hang

In phase two, aim to increase your hang time to around 20 to...

A few weeks ago, I drove to Dallas to speak to a group of amazing ladies about transitioning from Self-Conscious to Self-Confident. I'm not sure if some of you know this, but growing up, I was actually called “Mandela”. When I was younger, being strong wasn’t considered beautiful; it was seen as “different”. In order to avoid being made fun of, I would go to school completely covered from head to toe, even if it was 100,000 degrees out. I was ashamed of my body.

Modeling agencies told me I was too short and manly to model, advising me not to even try. ‍

So when people "look at me" now and say, “Wow, she’s so confident”, or “Wow, she probably got those titles so easily”, the truth is that’s not the case at all. Everything was WAY harder for me, and not only did I have to break through many obstacles to get here, but I also had to deal with all the internal battles I was...

This week, my dear friend April celebrated her 32nd trip around the sun, and boy, did we make it memorable! Originally planning a laser tag extravaganza, fate had other plans as the venue was unexpectedly closed. But you know what they say about ninjas, right? We adapt and overcome!

So, we pivoted like pros and headed to the Urban Trampoline Park right here in Austin. Let me tell you, folks, it was like stepping into a wonderland for adults! With ninja warrior courses, trampolines, ropes courses, ziplines, and even laser tag, we had an absolute blast. And the best part? We practically had the place to ourselves!

It was a reminder of the importance of staying active and playful, no matter our age. We laughed, we jumped, and we felt like kids again. And amidst all the fun, I couldn't help but appreciate the fact that my incredible friends, all in their 30s and beyond, chose an active adventure over a typical night out. It's a testament to the power of...

Let me hit you with a little story that happened recently. Picture this: a sunny day in Austin, my boyfriend and I taking care of business, when suddenly, we stumble upon a little creature in need. Yep, you guessed it, a baby squirrel!

Now, normally I’m all about conquering obstacles, but this one was a different kind of challenge. I couldn’t just walk away. This little guy needed help. So, we sprang into action. Despite initial reluctance from my boyfriend (typical!), we made sure that furry friend got the care it needed.

Fast forward a bit, and we found ourselves playing nurse to this tiny critter, waiting anxiously for a call back from animal control. We nursed him, watched over him, and made sure he was comfortable.

Long story short, after a nerve-wracking journey to a special animal hospital, we got the news we’d been hoping for: the little guy was a fighter! He made it through the night, and now he’s on his way to a full recovery....

Are you a woman on a mission to conquer your first pull-up but feeling frustrated by the lack of progress? You're not alone. Many women face challenges when it comes to mastering this empowering exercise. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the often overlooked factors that can accelerate your journey to pull-up success.

The Frustration of the Pull-Up Journey

If you're a woman striving to achieve your first pull-up, you've likely encountered moments of frustration and doubt. Despite your dedication and hard work, progress might feel slow, leaving you wondering if you'll ever reach your goal. But fear not! Today, we're going to uncover the two missing links that can transform your pull-up journey and propel you towards success.

Understanding the Pull-Up Challenge

Before diving into the solutions, let's address why traditional approaches may not be yielding results. Many rely on assisted bands or repetitive drills without addressing fundamental...

Are you a woman struggling to conquer your first pull-up or increase your max? You're not alone. Despite using assisted bands and various online drills, many women find themselves stuck in their pull-up journey. But fear not, because in this guide, we'll explore why traditional methods may not be effective and introduce you to a revolutionary approach tailored specifically for women.

Reason 1: Assisted Bands Target the Wrong Muscles

Assisted bands provide support at the bottom of the pull-up, but this assistance actually hinders progress. By relying on the band to propel you upwards, you miss out on strengthening the crucial bottom portion of the pull-up—the hardest part. Instead of bouncing up with the band, it's essential to focus on exercises that target this weaker area directly. In our Pull Up Revolution program, we emphasize drills that strengthen the bottom portion, ensuring faster progress and lasting results.

Reason 2: Dependency on Assisted Bands

Just...

 I “forgot my pants” for a speaking gig in NYC**

YES, you are probably like, "HOW the hell did you forget your pants?" And to be honest, I have those thoughts exactly. I tried to pre-pack for my Speaking Event in NYC! I knew this was a quick trip: flying in at 5 am on Wednesday, Speaking Thursday, and flying back Thursday night…and I was so proud of myself because I felt so on top of it! ‍

I got to my hotel in NYC after a long day of traveling, did some breath work to regulate myself, and started working on my talk some more to make sure I had it down perfectly. The next morning I woke up, went for a quick run in the AM to pump myself up, practiced my talk, and then as I was taking my clothes out to get ready, I realized… I forgot my pants.. like full-on forgot the pants for the talk. And all I had was workout gear lol…

Instead of panicking, I just laughed, especially because the title of my talk is ...

Are you one of the many women out there still striving to conquer your first pull-up? If so, you're not alone. Despite your efforts, you may find yourself facing obstacles that hinder your progress. But fear not, because I'm here to guide you through the top five reasons why you might still be struggling with pull-ups and how to overcome them.

As a dedicated fitness trainer specializing in helping women achieve their first pull-up, I've encountered common pitfalls that prevent progress. But the good news is, once you address these issues, you'll be well on your way to mastering this empowering exercise.

So let's dive into the essential steps to optimize your pull-up journey:

1. Believe in Yourself and Stop Self-Sabotage

The first step to success is believing that you can achieve it. Negative self-talk and self-doubt can hold you back more than any physical limitation. Whether it's concerns about weight, age, or strength, it's time to let go of these limiting beliefs....

I am a 6x American Ninja Warrior, 3x Cover Girl, Miss Fitness America 2016, and creator of Pull-up Revolution that has helped hundreds of women conquer their first pull-up! It’s wild with all the titles I have just mentioned, you would think that I feel amazing and like the best version of myself all the time, right? Like the accomplishments and titles are full of confidence, power, & success. But the truth is… a lot of times I don’t feel that way…a lot of times I feel like I am still not enough or like I still don’t actually matter… now I know that sounds morbid, but the truth is your mind can play a ton of tricks on you. It can get caught in the comparison trap of not feeling like you will ever be enough, when you, in fact, are enough and MORE than enough. 

So when we are having a super DOWN day where you feel like things are falling apart what do you do? Especially when you have to...

I am the girl who got her car broken into . If anyone has ever been robbed or had their car broken into, they know that this is such a violating feeling. The fact that someone invaded my space where I live is just horrible.

Moreover, my car is something I worked REALLY hard to purchase. A lot of hard work and long hours went into making owning a vehicle possible, so it feels personal, if you know what I mean.

As I was sitting here upset about my car, I had to do some extra self-care. Meaning some additional breathwork! I personally have been following along with this YouTube video if you want to check it out here! 

But she says something along the lines of “I don’t really know what will happen…” and just the idea that each day we go into, we “don’t really know what” types of things will happen and being okay with the unknown. How to be okay with the unknown but also in “control” of...