BackBicepsForearmsBodyweightintermediate

Pull-Up

The pull-up is the king of upper-back exercises. Hang from a bar with an overhand grip and pull your chin above the bar using your lats and biceps. Mastering pull-ups is a milestone in any training journey.

How to Perform

1

Grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder-width with palms facing away.

2

Start from a dead hang with arms fully extended and shoulders packed.

3

Initiate the pull by depressing your shoulder blades — imagine pulling the bar toward your chest.

4

Pull until your chin clears the bar, squeezing your lats at the top.

5

Lower yourself under control to a full dead hang — no half reps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Kipping or swinging to get your chin over the bar.

Not going to full extension at the bottom — partial reps limit lat development.

Pulling with just your arms instead of initiating with your lats.

Craning your neck forward to get your chin over the bar.

Muscle Activation

Back85%
Biceps50%
Forearms30%

Variations

Wide-Grip Pull-UpWeighted Pull-UpNeutral-Grip Pull-Up

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