Pullups

Also called pull-up, pull up and overhand pull-up.

Works

Lats, plus biceps and upper back

Equipment

Bodyweight

Level

Beginner

Type

Compound

How to do it

Setup. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Cues

• Hang long, shoulders down.
• Lead with the chest, chin past the bar.
• Elbows to the hips.
• Full hang between reps.

Common mistakes

• Kipping.
• Half reps from the bottom.
• Shrugging into the ears.

Where to start

A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. Tempo is seconds down, pause, up. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.

Harder

Easier

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