L-pull-up
Learn how to do the L-pull-up with proper form and technique. This body weight exercise primarily targets your Lats, with secondary emphasis on Biceps, Forearms.
How to Do the L-pull-up
Follow these steps to perform the L-pull-up with correct form:
- 1Grab the pull-up bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- 2Hang with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- 3Engage your lats and biceps to pull your body up towards the bar, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- 4Continue pulling until your chin is above the bar.
- 5Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- 6Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
L-pull-up Muscles Worked
Primary
Secondary
Exercise Details
- Equipment
- body weight
- Body Part
- back
- Category
- Extended
Recovery & Training Frequency
- Recommended Recovery Time
- 2–3 days
- Weekly Frequency
- 2–3 sessions per week
- Why
- Isolation work on large muscles produces targeted damage but lower systemic fatigue than compound variants. 48–72 h between sessions is generally adequate for intermediate trainees.
Sets & Reps by Goal
Strength
- Sets
- 3–4
- Reps
- 5–8
- Rest
- 90–120 s
Isolation movements can be trained with moderate loads for strength, though peak strength expression is secondary to compound lifts.
Hypertrophy
- Sets
- 3–5
- Reps
- 10–20
- Rest
- 45–90 s
Isolation exercises shine in the 10–20 rep range with a 2-second eccentric. Taking the final set close to failure drives maximum hypertrophic stimulus.
Endurance
- Sets
- 2–4
- Reps
- 20–30
- Rest
- 20–45 s
Light-load, high-rep isolation work is useful for rehab, joint health, and pump-focused training.
Which Workout Splits Include L-pull-up?
Based on the muscles this exercise targets, it fits naturally into these training splits and day types:
Push / Pull / Legs
Pull Day
Upper / Lower
Upper Day
Full Body
Any session
Bro Split
Back Day
Not sure which split is right for you? Cora builds personalised training plans that match your schedule and goals. Learn more about progressive overload.
Related Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the L-pull-up work?
The L-pull-up primarily targets your Lats. Secondary muscles worked include Biceps, Forearms. This makes it an effective exercise for developing your back.
Do I need equipment for the L-pull-up?
No. The L-pull-up is a bodyweight exercise that requires no equipment. You can perform it anywhere with enough space.
How do I perform the L-pull-up with proper form?
Start by Grab the pull-up bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Hang with your arms fully extended and your body straight. Engage your lats and biceps to pull your body up towards the bar, keeping your elbows close to your body. Focus on controlled movement throughout the entire range of motion. See the full step-by-step instructions above for complete form guidance.
How often should I do the L-pull-up?
For most people, allow 2–3 days between sessions targeting the same muscle group. That translates to 2–3 sessions per week. Isolation work on large muscles produces targeted damage but lower systemic fatigue than compound variants. 48–72 h between sessions is generally adequate for intermediate trainees.
What are the best sets and reps for the L-pull-up?
It depends on your goal. For strength: 3–4 sets of 5–8 with 90–120 s rest. For hypertrophy (muscle growth): 3–5 sets of 10–20 with 45–90 s rest. For endurance: 2–4 sets of 20–30 with 20–45 s rest.
Which workout splits is the L-pull-up best for?
The L-pull-up fits well into the following training splits: Push / Pull / Legs (Pull Day), Upper / Lower (Upper Day), Full Body (Any session), Bro Split (Back Day). It is classified as a pull, upper movement.
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