Exercise Comparison
Alternating Kettlebell Row vs Mixed Grip Chin




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Muscle Analysis
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Instructions
Alternating Kettlebell Row
Place two kettlebells in front of your feet. Bend your knees slightly and push your butt out as much as possible. As you bend over to get into the starting position grab both kettlebells by the handles.
Pull one kettlebell off of the floor while holding on to the other kettlebell. Retract the shoulder blade of the working side, as you flex the elbow, drawing the kettlebell towards your stomach or rib cage.
Lower the kettlebell in the working arm and repeat with your other arm.
Mixed Grip Chin
Using a spacing that is just about 1 inch wider than shoulder width, grab a pull-up bar with the palms of one hand facing forward and the palms of the other hand facing towards you. This will be your starting position.
Now start to pull yourself up as you exhale. Tip: With the arm that has the palms facing up concentrate on using the back muscles in order to perform the movement. The elbow of that arm should remain close to the torso. With the other arm that has the palms facing forward, the elbows will be away but in line with the torso. You will concentrate on using the lats to pull your body up.
After a second contraction at the top, start to slowly come down as you inhale.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
On the following set, switch grips; so if you had the right hand with the palms facing you and the left one with the palms facing forward, on the next set you will have the palms facing forward for the right hand and facing you for the left.
Verdict
Both exercises target the middle back. Alternating Kettlebell Row is a intermediate exercise using kettlebells, while Mixed Grip Chin is expert and uses other. Choose Alternating Kettlebell Row if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Mixed Grip Chin for a greater challenge. Mixed Grip Chin is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Alternating Kettlebell Row isolates the target muscle for focused development.