How to do a Pull-Up
The pull-up is a bodyweight back exercise where you pull your chin over the bar from a dead hang. Clean reps start fully extended, drive the elbows down, and control the descent — no kipping. CalmArms grades range and control and counts each rep for you.
Muscles: Lats · Biceps · Forearms · Mid-Back
Demonstration: Pronated Pull-Up
How to do it with clean form
- 1
Start from a dead hang with arms fully extended.
- 2
Pull yourself up by driving your elbows down and back.
- 3
Clear the bar with your chin without kicking or swinging.
- 4
Lower under control all the way back to a full hang.
Common pull-up mistakes CalmArms catches
Kipping or swinging the legs to generate momentum.
Stopping short — chin never clears the bar.
Not returning to a full dead hang between reps.
Dropping fast instead of controlling the descent.
How CalmArms grades the pull-up
CalmArms rewards full range from dead hang to chin-over-bar and penalizes momentum, so strict pull-ups grade highest.
Variations graded
Grade your pull-up on your next set.
Prop your phone and lift. CalmArms counts every rep and grades your form A–F, hands-free — on-device, no video uploaded.