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Towel-Assisted One-Arm Chin-Up: starting position Towel-Assisted One-Arm Chin-Up: end position

Vertical Pull · Traps & mid back

Towel-Assisted One-Arm Chin-Up

A vertical pull exercise that works the traps & mid back. Advanced level, using pull-up bar.

AdvancedPull-up barParkGym

Muscles worked

SecondaryBiceps, Forearms, Lats

Lats, biceps, and grip. Advanced.

Setup and loading

Palm facing you on the bar.

How to do the towel-assisted one-arm chin-up step by step

  1. Grab the bar with one hand and a hanging towel with the other.
  2. Pull with the arm on the bar, using the towel as little as possible.
  3. Lower slowly.

Form cues

  • Body tight
  • Minimal help from the towel arm

Common mistakes

  • Swinging
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Sets and reps for your goal

Hypertrophy

3-4 x 8-12 · rest 60-90 s

3-4 sets of 6-12 reps (up to 15-20 on isolation exercises) at 65-80% of your max. Rest 1 to 2 minutes.

Get close to failure (0-3 reps in reserve) and control the lowering for 2-3 seconds. Accumulate 10-20 sets per muscle per week.

Max Strength

4-5 x 3-6 · rest 2-3 min

3-6 sets of 1-6 reps at 80-90% of your max (1RM). Rest 2 to 5 minutes.

Leave 1-3 reps in reserve. If your technique breaks down, lower the weight: strength is built with good reps.

A guide for healthy adults. Adjust the load to your level and see a professional if you have an injury.

Check your form

Film yourself from the side or ask someone to watch, then tick what you get right.

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Sports it suits

Gear for this exercise

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Variations and similar exercises

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