Why I Always Use a Narrow Pull-Up Grip

I almost always keep my hands at shoulder width or narrower while doing pull-ups, and even push-ups for that matter. It's simple really, it makes the exercise easier on the joints and harder on the muscles.

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[alexandruradudragos]

Me too. Joint friendly, bigger range of motion, more reps, more gainz

[mhs]

Great video Matt, short and to the point! Since you raised this some time ago I've been using mostly a narrow grip for pull ups and push ups, and my joint pain has reduced.

[Ontonaut]

I recall reading a similar explanation of the advantage of the narrow grip in a Mike Mentzer book in 1997. I've been a narrow gripper ever since

[liamtaylor]

We pull wide because we want to be wide. It doesn't work, but it satisfies psychological needs. :)

[MarianaVillanova]

I have just learned how to execute a pull up and the narrower grip feels just fine to me. I tried a wider grip and it was more challenging. I’ll stick to what works for me. 😊

[CaneSugarHD]

I do weighted pullups with a narrow grip now mainly becauseI feel like it's easier on the joints, also I feel like I can actually go heavier on it more comfortably than I would with regular or wide grip.

[NiquelBones]

its still good to alternate variations to avoid overuse, so i'd still recomend you every once in a while do wide pullups

[supertruckerryan]

I love that you are still grinding and putting such good information out there ..

[axilleaskazuya]

Yeah hell yeah, and usually when you do that grip or shoulder width but not wider you automatecally go into a hollow position wich is good leverega to touch the bar lower thus increase range of motion

[matriaxpunk]

The lats perform mainly two actions: shoulder extension and arm adduction. With a narrow grip you are maximizing the shoulder extension action, with a wide grip there's more arm adduction. Both actions happen in any kind of pullup, it's a matter of wich one you want to emphazise more.

[vikaschauhan]

As someone who does pull-ups, push-ups and squats daily, I try to include some variety with pull-up grip, but I do agree that narrow grip feels way better!

[Labrador]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏
What are your thoughts on using a neutral grip?

[bobdschigarillo]

Is there a reason why you use the grip with thumbs on the bar? Is it also more jointfriendly than thumbs around the bar?

[zezeti]

I thought it was just me that felt its better on my joints when I do a more narrow pullup

[Smidday]

I have a pull up bar at home and I have to do a narrow grip, I get shoulder and elbow pain after a few reps but in the gym the bar is much wider and they feel easier and my form is far better so I just assumed that narrow pull ups were harder or something

[SaifAlikhan-wyzs]

In push ups the wider the grip the easier it is, the narrower the grip the harder it becomes.

In pull ups it's the opposite the wider the grip the harder it is, the narrower the grip the easier it becomes.

[rzlmok]

From now and then I will always do narrow grip pull up.

[sergiopacheco]

I find that when I do pullups from a bar that is higher I get more muscle activation than when I do them from my door, and my shoulders feel much better as well. Even if I use a similar width. Why is that?

[Srvdn]

I feel it much more in my arms when I go narrower than shoulder width, even in overhand grip.
Am I doing something wrong or does it just take some time to get used to it?

[jdubs]

It’s cool to be a contrarian but there are actual studies that shows slightly wider than shoulder width grip is the best.