Pull Ups
The overhand grip pull-up on the bar is a classic exercise in strength training that effectively strengthens the muscles of the back and arms. In this variation, the palms face away from the body. The overhand grip pull-up is not only a benchmark for functional upper body strength but also an excellent exercise for improving grip strength and body control. Similar exercises like the Ring Pull Up or the L-Sit Pull Up offer additional challenges. Furthermore, learning the overhand grip pull-up, combined with explosive pull-ups, lays the foundation for successfully mastering the Bar Muscle Up.
Necessary equipment
Pull Ups - the correct execution
- Start in the hang position with arms extended
- Grap the bar in a pronated grip so that the fingers points away from your body
- Your grip width is at least shoulder width
- Pull your shoulder blades down backwards at the beginning
- Bend your arms and pull the bar towards your chest
- Try to pull yourself up as high as possible, at least with your head above the bar
- Lower yourself slowly and controlled back into the hang
- Work in the largest possible range of motion
The exercise Pull Ups is intended to be used as a hypertrophy exercise.
Which muscles are trained by Pull Ups?
Primary trained muscles for Pull Ups
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 Pull Ups
Forearm - The forearm muscles are divided into flexors and extensors. The flexors bend your wrist, while the extensors straighten it.
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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Similar exercises to Pull Ups
Chin Ups with gym rings
Pull-ups on gymnastics rings, also known as ring pull-ups, are a fundamental exercise in calisthenics. Compared to classic overhand grip pull-ups on a bar, ring pull-ups are often gentler on the wrists and elbows since the rings are freely rotatable and can adapt to the body's natural movement. However, the muscles engaged remain the same as with bar pull-ups. Ring pull-ups also serve as an ideal preparation for advanced exercises such as the ring muscle-up or L-sit pull-ups on rings.
Explosive Pull Ups
Explosive pull-ups are a dynamic variation of the classic pull-ups, where the body is pulled upwards with explosive force. This exercise primarily engages the upper body muscles, including the back, shoulders, and arms, while also requiring core stabilization. The movement ends in a quick, powerful extension, bringing the chin above the bar.
Explosive pull-ups are often used as a preparatory exercise for muscle-ups, as they develop the necessary strength and explosive power in the upper body required for the more advanced movement.
Chin Ups
Underhand pull-ups, also known as chin-ups or supinated pull-ups, are a variation of the classic pull-up where the palms face the exerciser. This grip position shifts the focus more towards the biceps and the lower parts of the back, adjusting the movement and engaging the muscles differently compared to the classic overhand pull-up. Chin-ups provide an effective alternative to the traditional pull-up, allowing for targeted upper body strength development.
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