Setup and loading
Palm facing you on the bar.
How to do the towel-assisted one-arm chin-up step by step
- Grab the bar with one hand and a hanging towel with the other.
- Pull with the arm on the bar, using the towel as little as possible.
- Lower slowly.
Form cues
- Body tight
- Minimal help from the towel arm
Common mistakes
- Swinging
Sets and reps for your goal
Hypertrophy
3-4 x 8-12 · rest 60-90 s3-4 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 min3-6 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.
Sports it suits
Gear for this exercise
- Pull-up barWall-mounted beats doorway if you plan to add weight.
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