Now that my new pullup bar gives me plenty of room to hang and swing, I've been able to work on my kipping pullups (Crossfit has all the best resources on what these are and how to do them: this thread is essential reading (or the first page, at the very least), and here's a movie teaching them). What a great exercise!
The debate over which is "better", kipping or strict, is extensive. I'm sure I have nothing new to contribute to that discussion. I like them both, but personally find kipping pullups to be more fun, and somehow more satisfying. And it's not because I can do more of them, because I can't! As I'm just starting with them, they have exposed a set of weak links I wasn't aware I possessed. When I bottom out on a kipping pullup, the speed of the descent and the swinging motion requires more power and flexibility in my shoulders than during a strict pullup, and at the same time that force really taxes my grip and forearm strength.
Anyway, they feel great, give 'em a try. I'm sure I'll keep mixing up pullup varieties in my training, but kipping pullups have definitely joined my list of staple exercises.
P.S. Having learned and only done these on a swinging pullup bar, I wonder how they'll feel if I get to try them on a fixed bar?
