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Some body-weight exercises can be done by nearly anyone.

And then there are chin-ups.

Like pull-ups, chin-ups are very difficult, and not everyone can come close to doing one.

chin up

Stocksy

The act of lifting your entire body up by your arms is no easy feat!

Many people who work out for years never even come close to achieving a single chin-up or pull-up.

Ahead, learn everything you better know about chin-ups, from their benefits to proper form.

Meet the Experts

What Is a Chin-Up?

You’ll need a bar, commonly referred to as a pull-up bar, to perform one.

You’ll be pulling your entire body up by the strength of your arms and back in this move.

Even if you are light in weight, this is a very challenging maneuver.

Multiple muscles are used at once, including your back muscles, biceps, and forearms.

Otherwise, you could risk injury.

Here are the steps to follow for proper chin-up form.

If you’d like to have chin-ups as a goal, begin with one of these modifications.

Chin-Ups vs. Pull-Ups

The action of performing a chin-up and a pull-up look nearly identical.

The one main difference, though, is how your hands are positioned.

Conversely, Kollath says that “pull-ups use a pronated grip (palms facing away from you).”

Josh warns that “pregnant women without assistance should also avoid this exercise.”

Chin-ups are very similar to pull-ups, but they differ in hand position.