Male model ex_G7L4FO

Watermarked 360p preview. Through the API this animation plays without the watermark at 600 × 720, 30 fps. See plans

Back · Body Weight

Commando Pull-Up

intermediatestrength

Commando Pull-Up is an intermediate compound strength exercise that works the lats (back), with the shoulders and forearms assisting. It needs only a pull-up bar. A typical prescription is 3-4 sets of 6-10 reps, and it burns about 6.1 calories per minute.

Target
Lats
Body part
Back
Equipment
Body Weight
Category
Strength
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Pull
Sets × reps
3-4 × 6-10
Calories / min
≈ 6.1 kcal

Primary muscles

  • Back · Latissimus Dorsi
  • Biceps · Biceps Brachii

Secondary muscles

  • Shoulders · Deltoids
  • Forearms · Brachioradialis

How to do Commando Pull-Up

  1. Begin by grasping a pull-up bar with both hands placed close together, palms facing each other in a neutral grip.
  2. Hang with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
  3. Engage your back and pull your body up towards the bar, leaning your head to one side of the bar as you lift.
  4. Lower yourself back to the starting position with a controlled movement. Repeat the pull-up, alternating the side of your head relative to the bar for each repetition.

Form tips

  • Use a full range of motion by fully extending your arms at the bottom and bringing your head above the bar at the top.
  • Perform the movement slowly and with control, especially during the lowering phase, to maximize muscle activation and prevent injury.
  • Ensure your shoulders remain down and away from your ears to avoid unnecessary strain.
  • Breathe steadily throughout the exercise, exhaling as you pull up and inhaling as you lower yourself.

Commando Pull-Up alternatives

More lats exercises

Commando Pull-Up FAQ

What muscles does Commando Pull-Up work?

Commando Pull-Up mainly works the lats in the back (Latissimus Dorsi and Biceps Brachii). The shoulders and forearms work as secondary muscles.

What equipment do you need for Commando Pull-Up?

You need only a pull-up bar.

How many sets and reps of Commando Pull-Up should I do?

Start with 3-4 sets of 6-10 reps. Pick a load or variation where the last one or two reps are hard but your form stays clean.

Is Commando Pull-Up good for beginners?

It's rated intermediate. Beginners can work up to it once they control simpler back exercises.

How many calories does Commando Pull-Up burn?

About 6.1 calories per minute for a person of around 70 kg, based on a MET value of 5. Ten minutes of work is roughly 61 calories; heavier people burn more.

What is a good alternative to Commando Pull-Up?

Other exercises for the lats include Band Pull Up, Assisted Pull Up, Suspension Trainer With Grips Pull-Up and Assisted Pull Up Wide Grip.

For developers

Use Commando Pull-Up in your app

Get this exercise and 1,900+ others from the WorkoutX API: 720p MP4 animations at 30 fps without the watermark, male and female models, muscles, instructions and form tips in 7 languages.

# One request returns the exercise and its 720p media links
curl "https://api.workoutxapp.com/v2/exercises/ex_G7L4FO" \
  -H "X-WorkoutX-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "id": "ex_G7L4FO",
  "name": "Commando Pull-Up",
  "model": "male",
  "target": "Lats",
  "equipment": "Body Weight",
  "media": {
    "mp4": "https://…/ex_G7L4FO/mp4-720.mp4?…",
    "poster": "https://…/ex_G7L4FO/poster.jpg?…"
  }
}