What is the difference between chin-ups and pull-ups

flynet · Post by **flynet** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:55 am

Can anyone specify what is the difference? (chin ups and pull-ups)

I looked all over the internet and it looks like both are the same.

Thanks

Post by **stuward** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:17 am

They are the same. The only difference is in the grip. Chin ups normally use a supinated (underhand) grip while pull ups use pronated (overhand) grips. Some people (and this site's exercise directory) use the terms interchangably. The most accurate way of describing a given exercise is to specify the grip and width and don't worry about it.

pdellorto · Post by **pdellorto** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:18 am

People define them differently, but the most common definition I know is:

Pullup: An exercise where you pull yourself up to a bar. Usually a pronated (palms facing away or overhand) grip or a neutral (palms facing each other) grip.

Chinup: A pullup with a supinated (palms facing you or underhand) grip.

Basically a chinup is a kind of pullup with a specific grip, but it's such a popular variation it's got its own name.

This isn't consistently defined, though - some people call supinated-grip pullups pullups, some people will call both of them "chinups" and then separate them by grip ("Overhand grip chinups" - what I'd call a pullup). There isn't really a strict definition everyone uses but the one I outlined above is the most common AFAIK.

Peter

Post by **stuward** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:19 am

Great minds think alike.

flynet · Post by **flynet** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:23 am

pdellorto wrote:
This isn't consistently defined, though - some people call supinated-grip pullups pullups, some people will call both of them "chinups" and then separate them by grip ("Overhand grip chinups" - what I'd call a pullup). There isn't really a strict definition everyone uses but the one I outlined above is the most common AFAIK.

Peter

Yes , thats what I found out as well . Thaks for that!!

I still follow the starting trength you recommend me 2 monts ago and it works for me. Thanks for that as well!!!

hoosegow · Post by **hoosegow** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:43 am

Though very similar, and I could be wrong, but don't chin ups involve more of the biceps than pull-ups and pull-ups a little more of the lats?

Both work both, but mebbee a little more emphasis on different body parts?

pdellorto · Post by **pdellorto** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:31 pm

Yeah, you get more biceps in the supinated grip.

And flynet, I'm glad my advice helped.