--- title: "Master Your First Pull-up & Push-up | Skill School with Mrinalini" description: "Tired of fitness noise? Learn to master your first pull-up and push-up with step-by-step progressions from a coach who gets the realities of motherhood." canonical: https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/skill-school-your-first-pull-up-push-up-more last_updated: 2025-08-31 --- # Master Your First Pull-up & Push-up Tribe Verified · Helping Bengaluru moms get seriously strong. By [Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m) · Online across India & sessions across Bengaluru · ₹6,000 per month (estimate) Part of [Women's Strength & Conditioning](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/gallery) Building real upper body strength isn't about gym magic. I break down complex pull-up and push-up skills into simple, manageable progressions that work, even when you're short on sleep. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Just a few girls hanging at the bar. This video shows that the gym is our playground, and we're always working on skills like pull-ups and toes-to-bar.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2bb884de-9e33-440f-a936-6caa411812b1) - [Video: Working on muscle-up progressions with a friend. This shows how we support each other in learning new, challenging skills. It's about empowering other women to get stronger.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb1f4111-e9e1-4f75-87f1-034a0220ed75) - [Video: Two simple techniques to increase your grip strength for pull-ups: dead hangs and farmer's carries. And my advice: ditch the gloves. Your palms need to harden to build real strength.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/904b0ca6-3fbb-4da5-a8c9-3a7ac680a326) - [Video: When I say "engage your lats," what does that mean? This video gives you a simple trick to find and feel your latissimus dorsi muscles, which are key for pull-ups.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ad970d8f-b71a-44be-8835-88656639a400) - [Video: How to get your first kipping toes-to-bar. I break down the first progressions, from learning the kip (hollow to superman) to practicing knees-to-chest and knees-to-elbow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ddec4953-a704-4622-9700-28e44f5c8a24) - [Video: Push-up progressions to help you get your first one. I demonstrate how to build strength by holding the push-up position and practicing negatives (slowly lowering yourself down).](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/051d9f61-830a-4f1f-97de-9a12c13cfcce) - [Video: More push-up progressions. I show how to start by reducing the range of motion (using a box), practicing knee push-ups, and using negatives to build strength at every point of the movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4dadb15f-0958-4e2a-81d6-691ecd2d3629) - [Video: Part 2 of my pull-up series, focusing on accessory drills to build lat strength. I demonstrate lat raises, cable lat pull-downs (with a band and PVC), and straight-arm pull-downs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/243ca45b-7166-425f-8827-067228ce2b3b) - [Video: A humorous look at the struggle of working on pull-ups. Even when you're dying with every rep, your gym buds are there to tell you to smile.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/192705ef-5ebe-4c1f-9d79-a656d7caf065) - [Video: Part 1 of how to get your first pull-up. I cover the basics: building grip strength with dead hangs, strengthening your scapula with scap pull-ups, and building lat strength with negatives.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f39bc273-1dff-4326-ac31-eedc5c8db68a) - [Video: Positions make progression. Here I am coaching a client on the proper positions for toes-to-bar. As a coach, I'm ready to teach anyone who is willing to learn.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0acfb96e-7c3e-4670-bbf5-213c0fe18b8c) - [Video: Let's get more women doing pull-ups. I started with not even being able to do one. With consistency and patience, it's possible. I can share the steps to get your first one.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/db4cbb9c-f525-44db-8e3a-8fb34643416c) ## About Skill School: Your First Pull-up, Push-up & More If you're wearing gloves to the bar, stop. Your palms need to harden and feel the metal to build the grip strength required for your first pull-up. We don't hide from calluses here; we treat them like battle scars from the hard work you're putting in. It's time to ditch the accessories and focus on the real-world connection between your hand and the bar. Learning these skills is about patience and showing up consistently, not quick fixes. Whether you are aiming for your first strict pull-up or finally nailing a proper push-up, the road is the same. We start by building the foundation: grip strength through dead hangs, scapular activation, and mastering the 'hollow body' position to control your swing. ### My Approach to Skill Building * **No Band-Aids:** I don't believe in relying on resistance bands forever. We prioritize negatives and eccentric control because they build actual strength faster than assisted reps. * **Mind-Muscle Connection:** I teach you how to engage your lats properly. If you've been doing pull-ups and only feeling your arms, you're missing the engine of the movement. * **Safe Progressions:** From modified box push-ups to toes-to-bar kipping, every movement is adjusted to where you are right now—postpartum, peri-menopausal, or just starting your strength journey. ### Common Pitfalls We Tackle Many women come to me stuck at the same spot for months. Usually, it's because they are flaring their elbows on push-ups or neglecting the 'scapular pull' in their pull-ups. I provide direct video analysis of your form to catch these tiny errors, saving you weeks of frustration. If you're training at home in Bengaluru or following my programs remotely, you don't need a fancy gym setup to master these moves. You need a bar, some floor space, and a bit of grit. Let's get to work. ## About Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta I’m Mrinalini, and I’m a mom just like you—toggling between a toddler and my own sanity. I built this coaching practice because I was tired of the 'bounce back' lies in the fitness industry. Whether you're in Bengaluru or training remotely, I’m here to help you get strong without losing your mind. [See all of Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta's services](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m) ## More from Women's Strength & Conditioning by Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/featured) - [The Postpartum Journey: Stronger Than Ever](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/the-postpartum-journey-stronger-than-ever) - [Real Talk: Mindset, Myths & Motherhood](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/real-talk-mindset-myths-motherhood) - [Master the Barbell: Strength & Olympic Lifting](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/master-the-barbell-strength-olympic-lifting) - [Functional Fitness: WODs & Hyrox Prep](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/functional-fitness-wods-hyrox-prep) - [No Gym, No Problem: Home & Bodyweight Workouts](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/no-gym-no-problem-home-bodyweight-workouts) - [Build Your Foundation: Core & Glute Strength](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/build-your-foundation-core-glute-strength) - [The Misfit Crew: Our Community In Action](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/the-misfit-crew-our-community-in-action) - [About Me & My Coaching](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/women-s-strength-conditioning/about-me-my-coaching) ## More services by Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta - [Pre & Postnatal Fitness Coaching](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/pre-postnatal-fitness-coaching) - [Nutrition Coaching for Sustainable Results](https://mytribe.in/fit.with.coach.m/nutrition-coaching-for-sustainable-results) ## Similar work from other experts - [Calisthenics Training: Mastering Your Bodyweight](https://mytribe.in/re_yoganize/unconventional-strength-conditioning/calisthenics-mastering-your-bodyweight) by Vaishnavi Jaiswal · Unconventional Strength & Conditioning · Training available in NCR, Hyderabad & Bengaluru - [Bodyweight & Gymnastics Training for Real Strength](https://mytribe.in/coachrohitcf/crossfit-coaching/bodyweight-gymnastics-mastery) by Rohit Chaudhary · CrossFit Coaching · Online coaching and at CrossFit boxes in Bengaluru & New Delhi - [Master Calisthenics Skills with Expert Bodyweight Coaching](https://mytribe.in/shubhamm_shinta_dass/calisthenics-training/bodyweight-mastery-calisthenics-skills) by Shubham · Calisthenics Training · Online & In-person sessions in Bengaluru - [Master Your Bodyweight: Gymnastics & Skill Training in Yemalur](https://mytribe.in/ithinkcrossfit/personal-training/skill-development-gymnastics-bodyweight) by I Think CrossFit · Personal Training · Personal training at Yemalur, Bellandur - [Master Bodyweight Skills: Gymnastics and Calisthenics Training](https://mytribe.in/mnm.training/strength-and-conditioning/skill-development-gymnastics-calisthenics) by Mud and Mettle · Strength & Conditioning · Classes at Studio in Jalahalli East - [Gymnastics & Bodyweight Mastery](https://mytribe.in/coach_rishabh31/crossfit-functional-fitness/gymnastics-bodyweight-mastery) by Rishabh Grover · CrossFit & Functional Fitness · Online & in-person at Adapt Fitness Club, Gurugram ## Book To book Mrinalini Bakshi Sengupta, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Mrinalini!%20I'm%20interested%20in%20the%20Skill%20School%3A%20Your%20First%20Pull-up%2C%20Push-up%20%26%20More%20program.%20Can%20we%20chat%20about%20how%20to%20start%3F)