Difference between pull-ups and chin-ups

These are two different, but similar exercises, which focus on different muscle groups.

Pull-ups

Pull-ups utilize a grip with the palms facing away from you. When the palms of your hands are facing away from you, you are working out your back, your deltoids, your triceps, and your biceps. Pull-ups are a more all-around body work out. This is opposed to chin-ups, which have more of a focus on your biceps. Pull-ups are more of a functional exercise. It is more often that you are climbing up and over things by putting your palms facing away from you. If you imagine a wall, there is not a way for you to climb over the wall with your palms facing towards you unless the walls have some sort of handles. Also, even if you were able to find something where you could pull yourself up with your palms facing towards you, it would still be much more difficult to climb over.

Once you pulled yourself up, you would have to change your hand position to a pull-up grip to be able to climb over. If you did not, your hands will get it the way once you try to shift your weight over the obstacle. As another example, if you imagine a rock climbing wall, you are never grabbing the “rocks” with an underhand type grip. You are always grabbing “rocks” with an overhand type grip, such as in a pull-up.

Chin-ups

Chin-ups utilize a grip with the palms facing towards you. When the palms of your hands are facing toward you, you are working out your triceps, your biceps, and a little bit of your back. Chin-ups put a much greater focus on your biceps. Chin-ups are less functional than pull-ups because biceps are not used for much in athletics or in everyday activities. However, they create an overall balance in your musculature and balance is important to prevent injury. If your triceps are way stronger than your biceps, then you may be subjecting yourself to possible injury when you are working out with heavier weights.

Summary

In summary, pull-ups are a more all-around upper body strength exercise and are more functional for real life situations. This is probably why in military, law enforcement, and physical education training, there is more of a focus on pull-ups.

Related Pull Ups And Chin Ups Articles