How to Do the Chin-Up

Beginner · Body Only · Targets Lats, Biceps, Forearms, Middle Back

How to perform 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.

Muscles worked

The Chin-Up primarily targets your Lats, with support from your Biceps, Forearms, Middle Back. You'll need body only.

Make it count toward your goal

Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Chin-Up slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.