Pull-ups or Chin-ups: Which are right for you?
Pull-ups and Chin-ups:Â What's the difference and how to know which you should be doing.
Let's just clear one thing up first. A pull-up is performed with your palms facing away from you and a chin-up is performed with your palms facing in towards you.
Now that we've cleared that up, let's talk about the less obvious differences.  One of the major differences between a pull-up and a chin-up is the muscles worked. The change of grip causes different muscles to support and engage the similar movements of the two exercises. Chin-ups work the biceps and pecs to a larger degree and pull-ups work the lats and traps more so than chin-ups. So depending on the focus of your workout, one of these may be better for accomplishing your goal or doing both may work to your advantage. However, keep in mind a wider or more narrow grip can also affect the degree at which certain muscles are activated.
Secondly, because of the way many people are built, chin-ups can seem easier. This is why for anyone first starting out, chin-ups may be the better option, at least until they build up the strength to complete a pull-up. Especially if performing pull-ups assisted by a partner or bands is not an option.
So which are right for you? Let us know and in the meantime check out a few pull-up and chin-up variations below for ideas.
Wide Grip Pull-Ups
Weighted Pull-Ups
Diamond Chin-Ups
Eccentric Chin-Ups
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