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Exercises › Back › Pull Up

Pull Up

Pull Up is a beginner compound bodyweight exercise that mainly works your lats, with help from your biceps and upper back.

💪 Lats🏋️ Bodyweight📈 Beginner🔗 Compound🎯 3 sets of 8-15 reps
Pull Up: starting position
Starting position
Pull Up: end position
End position

How to do the pull up

  1. Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing forward using the prescribed grip. Note on grips: For a wide grip, your hands need to be spaced out at a distance wider than your shoulder width. For a medium grip, your hands need to be spaced out at a distance equal to your shoulder width and for a close grip at a distance smaller than your shoulder width.
  2. As you have both arms extended in front of you holding the bar at the chosen grip width, bring your torso back around 30 degrees or so while creating a curvature on your lower back and sticking your chest out. This is your starting position.
  3. Pull your torso up until the bar touches your upper chest by drawing the shoulders and the upper arms down and back. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Concentrate on squeezing the back muscles once you reach the full contracted position. The upper torso should remain stationary as it moves through space and only the arms should move. The forearms should do no other work other than hold the bar.
  4. After a second on the contracted position, start to inhale and slowly lower your torso back to the starting position when your arms are fully extended and the lats are fully stretched.
  5. Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary: LatsSecondary: BicepsSecondary: Upper back

Sets and reps

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

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Pull Up alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

Chin UpBodyweight · BeginnerLat PulldownCable · BeginnerLeverage Iso RowMachine · BeginnerBent-Arm Barbell PulloverBarbell · IntermediateLondon BridgesOther · IntermediateShotgun RowCable · Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the pull up work?

It mainly works your lats; your biceps and upper back assist.

How many sets and reps of pull up should I do?

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

Is the pull up good for beginners?

Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.

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