Pull-ups are one of the best exercises for building upper body strength, but they can be challenging for beginners. Scapular pull-ups are a great alternative for those who want to build the strength and technique needed to eventually perform full pull-ups. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of scapular pull-ups, the scapular pull-ups muscles worked, and How to Do Scapular Pull-ups.
3 Benefits of Scapular Pull-ups

Scapular pull-ups are a great exercise for building strength in your upper back and shoulders. They can also help improve your posture and prevent shoulder injuries. Here are some of the benefits of scapular pull-ups:
- Strengthen Your Upper Back: Scapular pull-ups target your rhomboids, trapezius, and other muscles in your upper back, helping you build a strong and defined back.
- Improve Shoulder Stability: Scapular pull-ups can help improve the stability of your shoulder joint, which can help prevent injuries and improve your performance in other exercises.
- Improve Posture: Scapular pull-ups can help improve your posture by strengthening the muscles that help you maintain good posture.
Scapular Pull-ups Muscles Worked

Scapular pull-ups primarily target the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. Here are some of the muscles worked in scapular pull-ups:
- Rhomboids: The rhomboids are located in your upper back and help retract your shoulder blades.
- Trapezius: The trapezius is a large muscle in your back that helps lift your shoulder blades and extend your neck.
- Posterior Deltoids: The posterior deltoids are located at the back of your shoulders and help extend your arms back.
How to Do Scapular Pull-ups: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to do scapular pull-ups:
- Start by hanging from a pull-up bar with your arms straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Engage your shoulder blades by pulling them down and back, as if you’re trying to squeeze a pencil between them.
- Hold this position for a few seconds, then release and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when performing scapular pull-ups:
- Not Engaging Your Shoulder Blades: If you don’t engage your shoulder blades, you won’t get the full benefits of the exercise.
- Using Your Arms: Scapular pull-ups should be performed with your shoulders, not your arms. If you’re using your arms, you’re not engaging the correct muscles.
- Moving Too Quickly: Scapular pull-ups should be performed slowly and controlled. If you move too quickly, you won’t engage the correct muscles.
Variations of Scapular Pull-ups: Progressions and Regressions

Here are some variations of scapular pull-ups:
- Assisted Scapular Pull-ups: If you’re not strong enough to perform scapular pull-ups on your own, you can use a resistance band to assist you.
- Hanging Scapular Retractions: This exercise is similar to scapular pull-ups, but instead of pulling yourself up, you simply hold the engaged position for a few seconds.
- Scapular Push-ups: Scapular push-ups are performed in a push-up position, and involve retracting your shoulder blades instead of bending your elbows.
How to Incorporate Scapular Pull-ups into Your Training Routine
Scapular pull-ups can be incorporated into your training routine as a warm-up exercise, as part of your upper body workout, or as an accessory exercise to improve your pull-up technique. Here are some ways to incorporate scapular pull-ups into your training routine:
- Warm-up: Perform a few sets of scapular pull-ups as part of your upper body warm-up.
- Superset: Superset scapular pull-ups with another upper body exercise, such as push-ups or rows.
- Accessory Exercise: Perform scapular pull-ups as an accessory exercise to improve your pull-up technique. You can perform them at the beginning or end of your workout.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scapular Pull-ups
Yes, scapular pull-ups can help you build the strength and technique needed to eventually perform full pull-ups.
Start with 3-5 reps per set, and gradually increase the number of reps as you get stronger.
You can perform scapular pull-ups 2-3 times per week as part of your upper body workout or as a warm-up exercise.
Conclusion:
Scapular pull-ups are a great exercise for building upper body strength and improving your posture. By engaging your shoulder blades and targeting the muscles in your upper back and shoulders, you can improve your pull-up technique and prevent shoulder injuries.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter, incorporating scapular pull-ups into your training routine can help you reach your fitness goals.
So this was the end of the article-Scapular Pull-ups: 3 Benefits, Muscles Worked, and How to Do Scapular Pull-ups! I hope you liked it, if so, kindly read our other articles too-
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