EXERCISE GUIDE

Chin-Up

The Chin-Up is an intermediate bodyweight vertical pull that primarily trains the back and lats, with the biceps assisting. It is useful for building vertical pulling strength through the lats and upper back.

Primary muscles
back, lats
Secondary muscles
biceps
Equipment
bodyweight
Difficulty
intermediate

TARGET AREA

Muscles worked

Primary muscles

back, lats

Secondary muscles

biceps

THE MOVEMENT

How to perform

  1. Take a comfortable grip on the bar and start from a controlled hang.
  2. Brace the torso and set the shoulders before initiating the pull.
  3. Pull the chest toward the bar by driving the elbows down.
  4. Lower under control until the arms are long again without losing shoulder position.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Start each rep from a controlled shoulder position instead of yanking from a dead hang or top stack.
  • Drive the elbows down while keeping the torso stable.
  • Use a grip and range that let you feel the lats without forcing the shoulders.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Using body swing or excessive lean to move the load.
  • Shrugging through the top of the rep.
  • Cutting the range short as fatigue builds.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

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IRONYOU RANK SYSTEM

Standards

Numeric standards are not published

Your IronYou rank can be calculated for this exercise, but numeric public strength standards are not currently published.

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KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Overhand Pull-Up, Overhand Lat Pulldown, and Straight Arm Pulldown.
  • Choose the version that matches your equipment, joint comfort, and the movement you can repeat consistently.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Chin-Up in IronYou.

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