Weighted Pull-Up: How-to, Tips & More

The Weighted Pull-Up is a advanced compound exercise for your lats. You do it with pull up bar. It is a good fit when your goal is both strength and muscle growth.

Besides the lats, it also works your biceps and upper back, so it fits well in a session that trains those muscles together.

Muscles worked

Lats muscle

Lats

Primary

Biceps muscle

Biceps

Secondary

Upper back muscle

Upper back

Secondary

How to do the Weighted Pull-Up

  1. Hang a weight from a dip belt or hold a dumbbell between your feet.
  2. Hang from the bar with your palms facing away.
  3. Pull yourself up until your chin clears the bar.
  4. Lower slowly until your arms are straight.

Weighted Pull-Up tips

  • Add weight once you can do 10 strict pull-ups.

Sets and reps

Most lifters do well with 3 to 8 reps per set, and 3 to 8 reps is where this exercise tends to work best. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve on every set, and add weight once you can complete all your sets at the top of the range. It also works well in a superset with an exercise for the opposite muscles.

Equipment

Pull up bar

Type

Compound

Weighted Pull-Up alternatives

More lats exercises

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does the Weighted Pull-Up work?

The Weighted Pull-Up mainly works your lats, with help from your biceps and upper back.

How many sets and reps should I do?

A good starting point is 3 to 8 reps per set, and many lifters get the best results between 3 to 8 reps. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve.

Is the Weighted Pull-Up good for beginners?

It is rated advanced, so it is better to build a base with simpler movements first and add it when your technique is solid.

What equipment do I need for the Weighted Pull-Up?

You need pull up bar.

Weighted Pull-Up demonstration

Add Weighted Pull-Up to your program

Bite fills in your weights, tracks your progress and tells you when to go heavier.

Download on the App StoreComing soon