Written on July 20, 2012 at 8:12 pm, by Eric Cressey
The chin-up is one of the most sacred inclusions in strength and conditioning programs, but unfortunately, it's common performed with incorrect technique. Check out the video below to learn how to avoid the most common chin-up exercise technique mistakes.
If you're looking for more detail on the "gross extension" pattern I discuss in this video, I'd encourage you to check out Functional Stability Training of the Core.
Sign-up Today for our FREE Newsletter and receive a four-part video series on how to deadlift!
Eric, thanks for that deeper-than-most analysis of the pull-up. I have had athletes (and myself) who have experienced lumbar pain/stiffness a day or two after serious weighted pull ups, rowing, etc and I had an inclination that there were better ways I could coach those movements. I had favorable results with foam rolling their thoracolumbar fascia, but cueing the exercise better seems to address the issue more proactively. Also, do you think that good deadlifting can be a positive factor in patterning trunk stability while working gleno-humeral extension from a different direction?
Great video. Love the cues. Seeing you perform them with the excessive anterior movement of the humerus makes me realize that I have noticed that with one of my clients.
Great post. Something I see all too often with my high school athletes. They think more is always better in a UE pulling exercise and end up with a flared rib cage, excessively depressed scaps, and very weak mid and low traps. Great cues I will use as needed with these athletes.
Thanks for the great coaching cues. One question I have is about the dead hang position in the chin-up – should the scapula be kept retracted in that position or allowed to relax and rotate outward so that the flexion portion begins with depression and retraction of the scapula? Thanks.
Thanks for sharing such detailed chin up instructions, Eric! I think I haven’t look into such depth with the chin but going to apply them in my training. Thanks again!
These are my self pull up cues: “Plank the torso, squeeze the glutes, pull to the chest.”
Or, “You are a human nail. The only things that move are the scapulae and the arms.”
That question mark position up top which jacks up the anterior shouder seems to me to be part thoracic flexion, and part scapular retraction failure, while the lats are still going strong. Basically the lats are dominating the mid-back.
Depends on the individual. Some folks (usually external impingement cases) will have pain with overhead pulling, and others won’t. Internal impingement folks rarely have pain with these exercises, but they can indirectly feed into the dysfunction that leads to their symptoms, so you have to weigh the risks vs. benefits.
It can be a good thing in those who have extension-based lower back pain. It makes it tough to load the movement up, though, as the weights slide off the waist.
The scapula should be allowed to move freely; not held in retraction. However, I don’t like the idea of a dead hang in the bottom position. I’d prefer folks maintain some scapular stability in that position and not relax.
That’s basically what is going on. Lats overpower lower traps (pull scapula into depression, as opposed to the lower traps pulling the scapula into posterior tilt/retraction), and the upper traps are put at a mechanical disadvantage in the process.
Good deadlifting technique can definitely be part of the process. I think appropriate carrying cues for farmer’s walks, etc. can make an even bigger difference because of time under tension, though.
In the recap I wasn’t sure why you mentioned to not aggressively pull the shoulders down. Whats the difference between shoulders down and aggressively down? Not sure how someone would over emphasis this from a hanging position.
The issue is that the lats can pull the humerus into internal rotation and extension while taking the scapula into depression. This depression can be a big problem, as it interferes with adequate upward rotation of the scapula.
Wonderfully said Eric! Many coaches emphasize pulling yourself up aggressively over that bar with that anterior tils, exactly as you demonstrated and suggested not to do. Knowledge of biomechanics can go a LONG way for athletes and you again showed your vast knowledge for the subject.
I have a question. I’ve heard the cue “pull your chest through the bar”… I have a feeling like this would send most people into extension. Can you just quickly and briefly go over a cue of how to do the pullup. ie “from a hang, begin the movement by contracting the lats… etc” just a few sentences would be great
Love watching your videos,! They go along with everything I was taught in school. It’s so refreshing to see legit videos on form, technique and exercises that actually benefit the body.
Eric, can you please elaborate what you mean by “appropriate carrying cues for farmers’ walks”? How do you cue your athletes for loaded carries? Thanks!
The big two would be to a) not just allow the weight to crank the shoulder girdle down into depression (should actively resist that) and b) don’t round over.
July 21st, 2012 at 6:08 am
Very good explanation. Thanks Eric for this detailed post.
July 21st, 2012 at 7:31 am
Same for pull-ups?
July 21st, 2012 at 7:50 am
Not only will I use these with clients,I will pay attention to these points for my chins.
July 21st, 2012 at 8:30 am
Ryan,
Yes, although it’s tough to extend too far with the pronated grip.
July 21st, 2012 at 8:42 am
Eric, thanks for that deeper-than-most analysis of the pull-up. I have had athletes (and myself) who have experienced lumbar pain/stiffness a day or two after serious weighted pull ups, rowing, etc and I had an inclination that there were better ways I could coach those movements. I had favorable results with foam rolling their thoracolumbar fascia, but cueing the exercise better seems to address the issue more proactively. Also, do you think that good deadlifting can be a positive factor in patterning trunk stability while working gleno-humeral extension from a different direction?
July 21st, 2012 at 8:44 am
Eric,
Great video. Love the cues. Seeing you perform them with the excessive anterior movement of the humerus makes me realize that I have noticed that with one of my clients.
I will apply these corrections right away.
Thanks again.
Jedd
July 21st, 2012 at 10:32 am
Eric,
Great post. Something I see all too often with my high school athletes. They think more is always better in a UE pulling exercise and end up with a flared rib cage, excessively depressed scaps, and very weak mid and low traps. Great cues I will use as needed with these athletes.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:37 am
The cueing of bracing the anterior core is a great one.
July 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
That’s definitely an important one, Thierry!
July 21st, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Nice vid Eric!!!
July 21st, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Thank’s for the video, I found it really helpful. Your knowledge and passion is inspiring!
July 21st, 2012 at 1:57 pm
He Eric
What about clients how suffer from impingement, do you do Chin ups and pull ups too or do you leave them at all?
Thanks a lot
July 21st, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Thank’s for the video, I found it really helpful. Your knowledge and passion inspire!
July 21st, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Thanks for the great coaching cues. One question I have is about the dead hang position in the chin-up – should the scapula be kept retracted in that position or allowed to relax and rotate outward so that the flexion portion begins with depression and retraction of the scapula? Thanks.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:18 pm
The cues of activating anterior core and glutes is huge, great video Eric thanks
July 21st, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Just wondering what your thoughts are about raising the knees up/hip flexion during the movement?
July 21st, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Great advice! This helps your readers more than you realise.
July 22nd, 2012 at 3:11 am
Great video and very informative.
July 22nd, 2012 at 5:09 am
Thanks for sharing such detailed chin up instructions, Eric! I think I haven’t look into such depth with the chin but going to apply them in my training. Thanks again!
July 22nd, 2012 at 6:44 am
Eric, what’s your opinion on behind the neck pull-ups? Cheers.
July 22nd, 2012 at 6:58 am
Eric, your back is looking freaking big..
These are my self pull up cues: “Plank the torso, squeeze the glutes, pull to the chest.”
Or, “You are a human nail. The only things that move are the scapulae and the arms.”
That question mark position up top which jacks up the anterior shouder seems to me to be part thoracic flexion, and part scapular retraction failure, while the lats are still going strong. Basically the lats are dominating the mid-back.
Thoughts?
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Wow. I learn something new of your blogs almost every week. Thanks for sharing.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Dilan,
I’m not a fan at all. Really no incremental value, and much more risk chronically for shoulder issues.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Markus,
Depends on the individual. Some folks (usually external impingement cases) will have pain with overhead pulling, and others won’t. Internal impingement folks rarely have pain with these exercises, but they can indirectly feed into the dysfunction that leads to their symptoms, so you have to weigh the risks vs. benefits.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Penny,
It can be a good thing in those who have extension-based lower back pain. It makes it tough to load the movement up, though, as the weights slide off the waist.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Chris,
The scapula should be allowed to move freely; not held in retraction. However, I don’t like the idea of a dead hang in the bottom position. I’d prefer folks maintain some scapular stability in that position and not relax.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Derrick,
That’s basically what is going on. Lats overpower lower traps (pull scapula into depression, as opposed to the lower traps pulling the scapula into posterior tilt/retraction), and the upper traps are put at a mechanical disadvantage in the process.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Matt,
Good deadlifting technique can definitely be part of the process. I think appropriate carrying cues for farmer’s walks, etc. can make an even bigger difference because of time under tension, though.
July 23rd, 2012 at 9:29 am
Excellent detailed presentation, Eric.
July 24th, 2012 at 8:04 am
Brilliant, and as usual, simply told.
July 24th, 2012 at 9:05 am
Thanks, Ian!
July 24th, 2012 at 9:45 am
In the recap I wasn’t sure why you mentioned to not aggressively pull the shoulders down. Whats the difference between shoulders down and aggressively down? Not sure how someone would over emphasis this from a hanging position.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Material is great! I’d like to suggest for videos (and sound) to be recorded in better quality, that would be awesome :). Thanks
July 24th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Scott,
The issue is that the lats can pull the humerus into internal rotation and extension while taking the scapula into depression. This depression can be a big problem, as it interferes with adequate upward rotation of the scapula.
July 29th, 2012 at 8:38 am
Cheers Eric. I better stop doing them just to impress chicks 😉
December 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Thank you for your information and guidance, my athletes and I will benefit from your instruction. #TeamHCT!
December 31st, 2012 at 6:34 am
As usual… amazing video! thank your very much Eric!
November 10th, 2013 at 9:30 am
Hey Eric, great video and explanation as to how to align! I’m heading back to the drawing board for my chins. Keep up the awesome work!!!
November 10th, 2013 at 10:14 am
Wonderfully said Eric! Many coaches emphasize pulling yourself up aggressively over that bar with that anterior tils, exactly as you demonstrated and suggested not to do. Knowledge of biomechanics can go a LONG way for athletes and you again showed your vast knowledge for the subject.
November 10th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I have a question. I’ve heard the cue “pull your chest through the bar”… I have a feeling like this would send most people into extension. Can you just quickly and briefly go over a cue of how to do the pullup. ie “from a hang, begin the movement by contracting the lats… etc” just a few sentences would be great
November 10th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Love watching your videos,! They go along with everything I was taught in school. It’s so refreshing to see legit videos on form, technique and exercises that actually benefit the body.
November 11th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Eric. Great post. Your thoughts on varying grip position doing a pull up for baseball throwers?
November 12th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Eric, can you please elaborate what you mean by “appropriate carrying cues for farmers’ walks”? How do you cue your athletes for loaded carries? Thanks!
November 13th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Jack,
The big two would be to a) not just allow the weight to crank the shoulder girdle down into depression (should actively resist that) and b) don’t round over.