Grip fails before the lats
Forearm and hand strength are the limiting factor; train them separately first.
Overactive muscles
Wrist flexors
Corrective work
Foam RollLats↗StretchLat stretch (kneeling overhead)↗Pull · Upper Body
Towel Pull-Up
Coaching cues
- Drape a towel over the pull-up bar; grip both ends
- Perform pull-ups hanging from the towel — massive grip and forearm demand
- All standard pull-up mechanics apply
- Regress to towel dead hangs first if needed
Common faults 2
Kipping to compensate
Momentum reduces the grip and lat demand entirely.
Overactive muscles
Hip flexorsErector spinae
Corrective work
Foam RollHip flexors↗StretchHalf-kneeling hip flexor stretch↗