Fig. 25
The upstart can be performed without the swing, but the arms in this case must be kept perfectly straight. Raise the legs as before, then drop them suddenly and pull the body above the bar. To see the upstart once performed will do more towards teaching its acquirement than pages of explanation. It is purely a knack, which will come to you all at once, after, perhaps, numberless fruitless attempts ([Fig. 25]).
The Slow Pull-up
is another method of getting on to the bar, and is a feat of strength rather than of agility, great muscular power being necessary for its successful accomplishment.
Fig. 26
It is performed by drawing the body up while hanging from the bar. The hands must be well over the bar—in fact, the wrists must rest there. In this exercise it is better to have the thumbs underneath (this is one of the exceptions referred to in [page 22]), as otherwise, when you come up, your hands may slip off. [Fig. 26] shows the position midway.
This is the critical point, and all your strength will be required to get the rest of the way. By raising the elbows a little you will find you will get a greater purchase, and the raising of the legs will counterbalance the weight of the body and bring it up. This exercise always meets with great applause, especially when done several times in succession, a feat that will task your powers to their utmost.
Another strength movement is the