Latissimus, Upper Back

Chin Up Hold with bent legs

The bent-arm hang with bent legs or Pull Up Hold is the top position of a pull-up with the legs pulled up. You hold onto the pull-up bar or gymnastics rings and pull your legs up in a bent position while keeping the upper body stable. This exercise is especially useful for learning the pull-up or specifically addressing weaknesses in the upper part of the pull-up movement.

Necessary equipment

Chin Up Hold with bent legs - the correct execution

  • Hold the rings on chin height
  • Take the shoulder blades back together
  • Bend your elbows and pull the rings to your chest
  • Pull the knees up to the chest
  • Keep the rings on the chest as long as possible

The exercise Chin Up Hold with bent legs is intended to be used as a hypertrophy exercise.

Which muscles are trained by Chin Up Hold with bent legs?

Primary trained muscles for Chin Up Hold with bent legs

  • Latissimus - The latissimus dorsi is a large muscle in your back that helps you pull your arm down and back. It also supports breathing and stabilizes the spine.

  • Upper Back - The muscles in the upper back, including the trapezius and rhomboid muscles, help move and stabilize your shoulders. They pull the shoulder blades together and support posture.

Secondary trained muscles for Chin Up Hold with bent legs

  • Biceps - The biceps brachii muscle is located on the front of your upper arm. It helps you bend your arm at the elbow, rotate your palm upwards, and lift your arm forward.

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Alternative variants of Chin Up Hold with bent legs:

Chin Up Hold with alternating leg extension

Alternating the extension of the legs intensifies the load on the abdominal muscles while maintaining tension in the back and biceps muscles.

Necessary equipment

Chin Up Hold with alternating leg extension - the correct execution

  • Hold the rings on chin height
  • Take the shoulder blades back together
  • Bend your elbows and pull the rings to your chest
  • Pull the knees up to the chest
  • Keep the rings on the chest as long as possible
  • Extend one leg alternately

Simplified Chin Up Hold with lowered legs

The simplified bent-arm hang with lowered legs reduces the intensity of the exercise by keeping the legs in a lower position. This decreases the load on the abdominal muscles and hip flexors while still challenging grip strength and shoulder stability. This regression is especially useful for learning the correct exercise technique.

Necessary equipment

Simplified Chin Up Hold with lowered legs - the correct execution

  • Hold the rings on chin height
  • Take the shoulder blades back together
  • Bend your elbows and pull the rings to your chest
  • Lift your feet off the floor
  • Keep the rings on the chest as long as possible