Greetings, new to the forum, been training gymnastics style and stretching regularly for almost two years now.
I developed some bad elbow problems doing heaps of pullups years ago, which forced me to constantly experiment with form to try and ameliorate the pain. I got the pain doing high reps like crossfit, but after it appeared I would experience it after one set only.
I notice that training for levers has improved my problem. And I wonder, why are levers not a prerequisite for pullups? Pullups seem to put so much emphasis on the arms, without building 'core' strength (core meaning not just abs but torso, including scapular strength).
Another example is chameleons vs hand over hand. I still get some elbow pain with chameleons, but not nearly as much. When most people climb at the beach I observe (I am staying at Santa MOnica, where there is a public exercise area with all kinds of apparatus) they use their legs to hurl themselves upwards like when running, which I believe overloads the elbows.
In a lever type position, the weight of the body is distributed more horizontally. So I think once I develop my lever on a bar well and get very strong on chameleons, I can do 'cirque' style of 'hocks climb', in straddle position and this is key: with enough prerequisite scapular strength to have the feet at waist height, or preferably at elbow height. Almost like a lever climb.
That way the elbows are not doing so much of the work.
Oddly though, I have noticed that with chameleons, my arms are getting a better workout, more isolated then if I kip climbed up the rope without feet, hurling myself up. I don't understand how, my elbows have less pain, but arms get stronger. Something about the biomechanics.