Subscribe To My Blog
Horizontal Pull UpsPull-ups, chin-ups, and their many varieties are great upper-body strength and muscle builders. One of the least seen varieties is the horizontal pull-up (also called an “inverted pull-up” or “horizontal row”). Whatever name it goes by, it is a good one. Vertical chinning is of course a super exercise. But horizontals bring into play abs and lower-back muscles, which must stay very tight to hold your body in a straight line as you pull with lats, rhomboids, biceps, and forearms. Further, all the equipment you need is a sturdy horizontal bar. Here’s how they work: Go beneath the bar, and with palms facing your feet, grip the bar at slightly wider than shoulder width. Extend your legs and place your feet on a bench; straighten your body, keep it taut, and pull your chest to the bar. You may also do the movement using an underhand grip. If at first you are not strong enough to do them with your feet elevated, keep your feet on the floor and bend your knees. As you grow stronger, gradually straighten your legs. Once you can get 8 or 10 reps with straight legs, start putting your feet on higher objects, gradually working toward being horizontal. Advanced trainees: For a rugged upper-body workout, try super-setting horizontal pull-ups with dive bomber pushups. . . . Only the strong survive! |
