Back·Bodyweight·Compound

Pullups

Lats · Bodyweight

Beginner

Body Part

Back

Equipment

Bodyweight

Level

Beginner

Type

Compound

Force

Pull

The Pullups is a beginner bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the Lats.

Muscles Worked

Lats primaryBiceps secondaryUpper Back secondary

How to Do the Pullups

  1. 1Grab 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.
  2. 2As 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.
  3. 3Pull 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.
  4. 4After 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. 5Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Related Exercises

Exercise data from the open-source Free Exercise DB.