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Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up

Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up is an intermediate compound bodyweight exercise that mainly works your lats, with help from your biceps, upper back and shoulders.

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

How to do the wide-grip rear pull-up

  1. Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing forward using a wide grip.
  2. As you have both arms extended in front of you holding the bar, bring your torso forward and head so that there is an imaginary line from the pull-up bar to the back of your neck. This is your starting position.
  3. Pull your torso up until the bar is near the back of your neck. To do this, draw the shoulders and upper arms down and back while slightly leaning your head forward. 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 backSecondary: Shoulders

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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Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up alternatives

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

Pull UpBodyweight · BeginnerLat PulldownCable · BeginnerLeverage Iso RowMachine · BeginnerBent-Arm Barbell PulloverBarbell · IntermediateLondon BridgesOther · IntermediateChin UpBodyweight · Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the wide-grip rear pull-up work?

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

How many sets and reps of wide-grip rear 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 wide-grip rear pull-up good for beginners?

It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.

More back exercises →