Upper Back, Forearm flexors, Latissimus, Biceps

Weighted Ring Pull Ups

Weighted Ring Pull Ups are a challenging exercise for strengthening the upper body muscles, primarily working the back and biceps. The added weight increases the intensity compared to the classic pull-up.

Weighted Ring Pull Ups - the correct execution

  • Start in a hang position with extended arms
  • Grab the rings with stretched arms
  • Pull the shoulder blades back down at the beginning
  • Bend the arms and pull the rings towards the chest
  • Try to pull yourself up as high as possible, at least with your head against the rings
  • Lower yourself slowly and controlled back into the hang position
  • Work in the largest possible range of motion
  • As an alternative to the weight belt, you can also use a weight vest or clamp a dumbbell between your thighs.

Which muscles are trained by Weighted Ring Pull Ups?

Primary trained muscles for Weighted Ring Pull Ups

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Weighted Ring Pull Ups

Biceps, Upper Back, Latissimus, Forearm flexors

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.

Latissimus, Forearm flexors, Upper Back, Biceps

Typewriter Pull Ups

Typewriter Pull Ups are a Pull-Up variation where you alternately extend the left and right arm to the side while hanging in a bent-arm position. Typewriter Pull Ups look similar to Archer Pull Ups, but they are much easier.

Upper Back, Biceps, Forearm flexors, Latissimus

Weighted Chin Ups

Weighted chin-ups, also known as chin-ups with a neutral grip, are an excellent exercise for the back and biceps. Compared to weighted pull-ups (overhand grip), there are slight differences in the muscles targeted between the two variations—differences even measured in studies. However, the differences are so small that they hardly matter for most people, unless you’re pursuing serious bodybuilding goals. Both exercises activate muscles similarly, with chin-ups emphasizing the biceps and slightly engaging the chest, while pull-ups target the lower trapezius a bit more. Bottom line: both are great for building a strong back. But if your goal is to learn the bar muscle-up, then the weighted pull-up is the better choice!