Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover vs Rocky Pull-Ups/Pulldowns

Lie on a flat bench with a barbell using a shoulder grip width.

Hold the bar straight over your chest with a bend in your arms. This will be your starting position.

While keeping your arms in the bent arm position, lower the weight slowly in an arc behind your head while breathing in until you feel a stretch on the chest.

At that point, bring the barbell back to the starting position using the arc through which the weight was lowered and exhale as you perform this movement.

Hold the weight on the initial position for a second and repeat the motion for the prescribed number of repetitions.

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 at the chosen grip width, bring your torso back around 30 degrees or so while creating a curvature on your lower back and sticking your chest out. This is your starting position.

Pull your torso up until the bar touches your upper chest by drawing the shoulders and the upper arms down and back. 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.

Now repeat the same movements as described above except this time your torso will remain straight as you go up and the bar will touch the back of the neck instead of the upper chest. Tip: Use the head to lean forward slightly as it will help you properly execute this portion of the exercise.

Once you have lowered yourself back down to the starting position, repeat the exercise for the prescribed amount of repetitions in your program.