The Differences Between a Pull-Up and a Chin-Up

pull-ups
Photo by Lawrence Crayton on Unsplash

Even professional trainers mix up a chin-up and a pull-up when talking about these upper-body exercises. But did you know that they’re actually two different exercises, working on different parts of your body?

The Difference

A chin-up is a variation of pull-up but, the hand position is different. When doing a chin-up, your palms face you. In a pull-up, they face away from you. The space between your hands is different between the two exercises—in chin-ups, your arms are held in a narrower grip and in pull-ups, your arms are wider than shoulder-width.

The Benefits

There are many benefits for both of these exercises. Biceps are being strengthened in both but get more focus when doing a chin-up. Pull-ups are actually much more challenging on the back than chin-ups. Your posture and grip strength are improved, and they sculpt your muscles like no other back or arm exercise.

Pull-Ups

Hold on to the bar with your arms straight and palms facing away from you. Engage the lats by drawing them down towards your hips. Hold your core and then pull up to get your chest to the bar.

Chin-Up

Start by hanging from the bar, with your arms straight and palms facing you. Tuck the chin so it doesn’t jut out over the bar. Engage the lats and core and start to pull up—you’ll feel the biceps more at the end of this movement. Straighten down to the start position and do as many as you can.