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Exercise Comparison

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover vs V-Bar Pullup

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover - starting position
Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover - ending position
Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover
intermediate·Barbell·compound
V-Bar Pullup - starting position
V-Bar Pullup - ending position
V-Bar Pullup
beginner·Bodyweight·compound

Side-by-Side

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover
VS
V-Bar Pullup
intermediate
Level
beginner
Barbell
Equipment
Bodyweight
compound
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
lats
Primary
lats
chestlatsshoulderstriceps
Secondary
bicepsmiddle backshoulders

Muscle Analysis

Shared

latsshoulders

Only in Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover

chestlatstriceps

Only in V-Bar Pullup

bicepsmiddle back

Instructions

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover

1

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

2

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

3

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.

4

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.

5

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

V-Bar Pullup

1

Start by placing the middle of the V-bar in the middle of the pull-up bar (assuming that the pull-up station you are using does not have neutral grip handles). The V-Bar handles will be facing down so that you can hang from the pull-up bar through the use of the handles.

2

Once you securely place the V-bar, take a hold of the bar from each side and hang from it. Stick your chest out and lean yourself back slightly in order to better engage the lats. This will be your starting position.

3

Using your lats, pull your torso up while leaning your head back slightly so that you do not hit yourself with the chin-up bar. Continue until your chest nearly touches the V-bar. Exhale as you execute this motion.

4

After a second hold on the contracted position, slowly lower your body back to the starting position as you breathe in.

5

Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the lats. Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover is a intermediate exercise using barbell, while V-Bar Pullup is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose V-Bar Pullup if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover for a greater challenge.

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