How to do a Neutral Grip Pull Up
Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Neutral Grip Pull Up
Instructions for Proper Form
Targets the lats, biceps, and forearms using a grip where palms face each other. This variation is gentler on the shoulders and wrists, making it a suitable choice for those with joint concerns or looking to add variety to their pull-up routine.
- Place your hands on a neutral grip pull up bar allowing your palms to face each other.
- Brace your torso by breathing into your stomach and keeping your abdominal muscles flexed.
- Pull your chest up to the bar by flexing your elbows down into the backside of your ribcage.
- Once you have reached your chest to the bar, you will lower yourself back to the starting position.
Sets & Reps Calculator
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Alternative Exercises to Neutral Grip Pull Up
1. Dumbbell Row
99.9 mSCORESWAPPED 4,318 TIMESThis compound movement primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps, as well as requiring some core activation for stability. By bracing yourself on the flat bench, you can position your torso parallel to the ground, without needing specific equipment. This is a great exercise with or without limited equipment, and a staple in many back workouts.
2. Lat Pulldown
100 mSCORESWAPPED 4,210 TIMESThis compound exercise primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps. The movement itself is based on a Pull Up, however, by locking your legs into place, you can add significantly more stability to the movement making it easier to complete a rep, as well as getting control over the resistance. This exercise can be easily adapted to meet your needs with different handles.
- Beginner
- Back
- Lat Pulldown
3. Pull Up
93.2 mSCORESWAPPED 3,231 TIMESPull Ups are compound, bodyweight exercise that primarily target the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps. While this exercise does have a decently high barrier to entry, it can be easily adapted to match your current conditioning with weighted or assisted variations. This is an excellent exercise for building functional strength and body control.
- Intermediate
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4. Assisted Neutral Grip Pull Up
38 mSCORESWAPPED 2,756 TIMESAssisted Neutral Grip Pull Up is a variation on the standard Pull Up. Like other Pull Up variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. Neutral grip can be easier on the shoulders and wrists. Utilizing assistance allows for gradual strength build-up, helping to perform unassisted Pull Ups eventually. This makes the exercise accessible for all fitness levels.
- Beginner
- Back
- Assisted Weight Machine
5. Cable Row
99.8 mSCORESWAPPED 2,631 TIMESCable Row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders and biceps. This exercise is often done with a specific cable machine that sets you into the perfect position, but you can also use an adjustable cable to have more control over the direction your resistance is coming from. This is a great exercise for building muscle mass and strength in your back, and is a common addition to most upper body or pull workouts.
6. Dumbbell Bent Over Row
94.4 mSCORESWAPPED 2,521 TIMESDumbbell Bent Over Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back, but also hits biceps. The use of dumbbells helps prevent compensating for any discrepancies in strength between sides, as well as adds more instability to the movement compared to equipment like barbells. This can be a great addition to any back workout for building muscle mass and strength.
7. Chin Up
88.4 mSCORESWAPPED 1,982 TIMESChin Ups are a compound, bodyweight exercise that primarily targets your back, but also hits your biceps. It’s similar to a Pull Up, but uses an underhand grip. This is a great exercise for getting more comfortable on a pull up bar, and is great for building strength, and muscle mass.
- Intermediate
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- Pull Up Bar
8. Incline Dumbbell Row
90.5 mSCORESWAPPED 1,725 TIMESThis is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. It’s a variation on the more standard Bent Over Row, that uses an incline bench to stabilize your upper body. This added stability ensures that you can't assist yourself by recruiting other muscle groups. The added stability also allows you to focus on moving the weight rather than stabilizing your upper body in the right position.
9. Bent Over Barbell Row
97.1 mSCORESWAPPED 1,694 TIMESBent Over Barbell row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders, traps, and biceps. The use of a barbell adds more stability to this movement compared to something like dumbbells which can help you focus on exerting strength rather than stabilizing the movement. It’s a great exercise for building strength, and can be a way to start learning more advanced exercises like Olympic Lifts.
10. V-Bar Pulldown
90 mSCORESWAPPED 1,618 TIMESThe V-Bar Pulldown is a compound exercise targeting the upper back, specifically the latissimus dorsi, with added emphasis on the middle back and biceps. Using a V-Bar allows for a neutral grip, which can reduce shoulder strain and increase the focus on the lats over the standard bar pulldown. This variation is particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance grip strength and provide a more comfortable wrist position, potentially allowing for heavier lifts and increased muscle engagement.
- Intermediate
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