Exercise library / Lats

Chin-Up

Main muscles
Lats
Also works
Biceps, Forearms, Middle back
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Beginner
Type
Compound · Pull

How to do it

  1. Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing your torso and a grip closer than the shoulder width.
  2. As you have both arms extended in front of you holding the bar at the chosen grip width, keep your torso as straight as possible while creating a curvature on your lower back and sticking your chest out. This is your starting position. Tip: Keeping the torso as straight as possible maximizes biceps stimulation while minimizing back involvement.
  3. As you breathe out, pull your torso up until your head is around the level of the pull-up bar. Concentrate on using the biceps muscles in order to perform the movement. Keep the elbows close to your body. Tip: 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. After a second of squeezing the biceps in the contracted position, slowly lower your torso back to the starting position; when your arms are fully extended. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
  5. Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Quick answers

What muscles does the Chin-Up work?
Mainly the lats, with help from the biceps, forearms, middle back.
What equipment do I need?
Nothing but your bodyweight.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes, it is rated beginner level.
How do I track progress on it?
Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.

More lats exercises

Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.