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Lats exercise · body weight

Chin-Up

The chin-up is a bodyweight exercise that targets the lats, with the biceps and forearms assisting.

Animated demonstration of the chin-up
Chin-Up — demonstration
Target muscle
Lats
Also works
Biceps, forearms
Equipment
Body weight
Body part
Back

How to do the chin-up

  1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your palms facing towards you and your hands shoulder-width apart.
  2. Engage your core and pull your body up towards the bar, leading with your chest.
  3. Continue pulling until your chin is above the bar.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets and reps

Start with 3 sets of 10–15 reps, resting 45–60 seconds. When every set feels easy, add reps, slow the lowering phase or move to a harder variation.

Muscles worked

The main muscle is the lats. The biceps and forearms work as secondary muscles. See all lat exercises or every bodyweight exercise.

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