Exercise Profile
- Target Muscle Group
- Exercise TypeStrength
- Equipment RequiredBodyweight
- MechanicsCompound
- Force TypePull (Bilateral)
- Experience LevelAdvanced
- Secondary Muscles
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders, Upper Back
Target Muscle Group
Lats

L-Sit Pull Up Overview
The L-sit pull up is a pull up variation that combines a pull up with an isometric hanging leg raise hold.
The pairing is best for those looking to build their lats, while also providing an endurance challenge for the core.
L-Sit Pull Up Instructions
- Using a pronated grip, grasp the pull bar with a slightly wider than shoulder width grip.
- Squeeze the abs and raise the legs to 90 degrees.
- Take a deep breath, depress the shoulder blades and drive the elbows straight down to the floor while activating the lats.
- Pull your chin towards the bar until the lats are fully contracted, then slowly lower yourself back to the start position.
- Keep the legs parallel to the floor and repeat for the assigned number of repetitions.
L-Sit Pull Up Tips
- To decrease bicep involvement, use a false (thumbless grip).
- Try to keep a neutral head position (looking straight ahead or slightly up) as hyperextending the neck can lead to compensations throughout the spine.
- If the bar is high enough, keep the legs straight and in front of the body in a hollow body position.
- Avoid falling into overextension of the lumbar spine by squeezing your glutes and bracing your abs.
- The pullup is completed when the lats are fully flexed, don’t continue pulling and compensate with the pecs. When this occurs, the elbows will flare up behind the body, the shoulder will round forward, and you’ll begin to feel pressure in the front of your shoulders.
- A lifter’s segment length will determine whether or not they can actually get their chin over the bar, it’s not an absolute for everyone.
- Lower to almost full extension of the elbow but avoid locking out completely as this can place excessive strain on the ligamentous structures within the elbow and shoulder.
- If you can’t complete a single bodyweight pullup, start with slow negatives (add weight when these can be accomplished under control) or flexed arm hangs in the top position.
- Ditch the straps and kips, neither one is necessary or recommended.
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