I have been training on my own and can do 3 to 4 pull-ups - which program should I start with?

If you can already do 3 to 4 clean pull-ups on your own, you do not need to start with Absolute Beginner. You have already built the foundation that program is designed to create. Starting there would just mean weeks of training that is too easy for where you are.

The right starting point for you is Beginner Mastery. Specifically, we recommend starting at Phase 1 of Beginner Mastery even if you feel like you could jump further ahead. The structured volume and progression in Phase 1 will build on your existing strength in a way that sets you up properly for the later phases.

If you want to be more precise about where you enter, you can do a max test before starting. Hang from the bar and do as many full range of motion pull-ups as you can in one set. Take that number and match it against the phase entry thresholds in the program guide. That gives you a data-driven answer rather than a guess.

One thing to keep in mind: doing pull-ups on your own over time often builds strength unevenly. You may have the pulling strength but gaps in your scapular control, shoulder stability, or body tension. Beginner Mastery Phase 1 addresses all of this systematically, so even if the early sessions feel manageable, stay with the program as written. The structure is what produces consistent results.