GamGym
Chin-up
Image: Everkinetic · CC BY-SA 3.0

How to do Chin-up

Main muscle
Lats
Equipment
Pull-up bar
Level
Intermediate
Type
Strength

Secondary muscles

How to do it

  1. 1

    Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing your torso and a grip closer than the shoulder width.

  2. 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. 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. 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. 5

    Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

This page is general information. If you have an injury, pain or a health condition, check with a professional before doing this exercise.

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