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Reverse Grip Pull-Up
A shoulder-width underhand pull-up that pairs heavy lat work with strong biceps involvement, usually the strongest pull-up grip for most lifters.
BackBodyweightVertical pull
GoLightWeight mediareverse-grip-pull-up
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Latissimus dorsiBiceps
Secondary
RhomboidsRear deltoidsForearmsCore
Equipment
Bodyweight
Pattern
Vertical pull
Setup
- 01Grip the bar underhand at about shoulder width.
- 02Hang at full arm extension with the wrists straight.
- 03Set a hollow body position with ribs down and legs together.
- 04Depress the shoulder blades before starting the pull.
Execution
- 01Drive the elbows down and slightly back toward the ribs.
- 02Pull until the chin clears the bar with the chest moving toward it.
- 03Pause briefly at the top without curling into a crunch.
- 04Lower under control back to a dead hang.
Checkpoints
- -Full extension at the bottom of every rep.
- -Chest leads toward the bar rather than the chin poking over.
- -No leg swing or kip through the set.
- -Wrists stay neutral, not bent back under the bar.
Common mistakes
- -Half-repping the bottom and never straightening the arms.
- -Kipping to grind out extra reps.
- -Gripping too wide in supination, which stresses the elbows.
- -Craning the neck to fake bar clearance.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 5 sets of 6 to 10 strict reps; add weight beyond 10 clean reps.
- -Counts as meaningful biceps volume; adjust direct curl work accordingly.
- -Rotate with neutral and overhand grips across the week to spread elbow stress.
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