Find Your Perfect Pull-up Grip 💪

You’ve probably asked yourself this before… “How wide should I go on pull-ups?”

The truth? It’s a trick question. There’s no one right answer.

If you want a strong, wide, geographic-crazy back you’ve got to use multiple grips, widths, and angles. Most people just grab the bar shoulder-width apart and call it a day. But if you look back at the Golden Era of bodybuilding… guys like Arnold, Franco, and Frank Zane, they used ultra-wide grips to build that signature “V” taper.

Arnold even had his own custom pull-up handle welded at Venice Gold’s Gym to go wider than anyone else.

But here’s the deal: not every body is built for that kind of width. When I tried Arnold’s grip, I could barely move. That’s when I realized: the goal isn’t copying someone else’s exact form, it’s finding your version that lets you feel the muscle work.

If you can’t do many pull-ups yet, start with the grip you’re strongest in. As you get better, inch your hands out wider over time. Mix in different grips (neutral, overhand, underhand) and bar thicknesses to challenge new areas of your back.

Being able to knock out quality pull-ups with control is something to be proud of. Most people either skip them or half-rep their way through. But mastering your own bodyweight? That’s real strength, and it pays off in every other lift you do.

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EP.363 | Pull-up Refresher

EP.401 | V-Bar Pull-ups