We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Questions about form (bodyweight exercises)

Slacker16
Slacker16 Posts: 1,184 Member
edited February 15 in Fitness and Exercise
I'd have two questions about bodyweight exercises:

1. Is there a difference between pull-ups with the thumbs under the bar (i.e. gripping it like a stick) and pull-ups with the thumbs over the bar (i.e. holding onto it like a ledge)? I saw it claimed that "under the bar" works the biceps more while "over the bar" works the forearms more but it might be broscience.

I can do both and my max reps are pretty much the same. "Over the bar" seem a little harder that might be because I'm more used to "under".

2. When doing push-ups, what angle should your arms be making with your torso? I have done both with the elbows tucked next to the ribs and with the elbows flaring out.

"Elbows in" seems easier at first but becomes harder once I get tired, "elbows out seems to cause more soreness the next day (especially to the shoulders, OW!)

Cliffs for TL,DR:
1. Pull-ups, thumbs under or over the bar?
2. Push-ups, elbows close to the body or flaring out?

Thanks.

Replies

  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Sorry, can't answer the pull-up question, I'm still doing chin-ups which are easier.

    Push-ups: definitely elbows close to the body.
  • Slacker16
    Slacker16 Posts: 1,184 Member
    Push-ups: definitely elbows close to the body.
    Thank you. They always seem to flare out when I get tired though...

    I've noticed some pain in the shoulder (beyond normal DOMS) after doing them and I hope that keeping the elbows closer to the body will help with that.
This discussion has been closed.