Back to library

Exercise Library

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

  1. 01Grip the bar underhand at about shoulder width.
  2. 02Hang at full arm extension with the wrists straight.
  3. 03Set a hollow body position with ribs down and legs together.
  4. 04Depress the shoulder blades before starting the pull.

Execution

  1. 01Drive the elbows down and slightly back toward the ribs.
  2. 02Pull until the chin clears the bar with the chest moving toward it.
  3. 03Pause briefly at the top without curling into a crunch.
  4. 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.

Related exercises

Almost there

Coming soon to iOS & Android

GoLightWeight is in the final stretch. Free to download, no account required to start.

Coming soonApp Store
Coming soonGoogle Play