Exercise Comparison
Band Assisted Pull-Up vs Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Band Assisted Pull-Up
Only in Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up
Instructions
Band Assisted Pull-Up
Choke the band around the center of the pullup bar. You can use different bands to provide varying levels of assistance.
Pull the end of the band down, and place one bent knee into the loop, ensuring it won't slip out. Take a medium to wide grip on the bar. This will be your starting position.
Pull yourself upward by contracting the lats as you flex the elbow. The elbow should be driven to your side. Pull to the front, attempting to get your chin over the bar. Avoid swinging or jerking movements.
After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up
Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing forward using a wide grip.
As you have both arms extended in front of you holding the bar, bring your torso forward and head so that there is an imaginary line from the pull-up bar to the back of your neck. This is your starting position.
Pull your torso up until the bar is near the back of your neck. To do this, draw the shoulders and upper arms down and back while slightly leaning your head forward. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Concentrate on squeezing the back muscles once you reach the full contracted position. The upper torso should remain stationary as it moves through space and only the arms should move. The forearms should do no other work other than hold the bar.
After a second on the contracted position, start to inhale and slowly lower your torso back to the starting position when your arms are fully extended and the lats are fully stretched.
Repeat this motion for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the lats. Band Assisted Pull-Up is a beginner exercise using other, while Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up is intermediate and uses bodyweight. Choose Band Assisted Pull-Up if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up for a greater challenge.