Target Muscle

    Lats

    Equipment

    Body Weight

    Difficulty

    Beginner

    Category

    Strength

    Bench Pullup

    Bench pullup are a bodyweight exercise targeting the lats, performed by pulling your chest up to a horizontal bar or surface while keeping your body straight. This movement also engages the bicep and forearms.

    Also Works

    BicepsForearms

    How to Perform

    1. 1

      Position yourself under a bar or a sturdy horizontal surface that is at chest height.

    2. 2

      Grab the bar or surface with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

    3. 3

      Hang with your arms fully extended and your body straight.

    4. 4

      Pull your chest towards the bar or surface by squeezing your shoulder blades together and bending your elbows.

    5. 5

      Continue pulling until your chin is above the bar or surface.

    6. 6

      Lower yourself back down to the starting position with control.

    7. 7

      Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Pro Tips

    • Grab the bar or surface with a slightly wider than shoulder-width overhand grip for optimal lat engagement.
    • Keep your core tight and body in a straight line from head to heels as you pull your chest to the bar.
    • Use a bench or bar set at chest height to make this a progression toward full Pullups.

    Common Mistakes

    • Kipping or swinging the body to gain momentum instead of pulling with a controlled, strict motion.
    • Not pulling high enough, stopping when the chin is still below the bar rather than getting the chest to bar level.
    • Allowing the hips to drop or sag, which disengages the core and reduces the pulling demand.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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