Training split

Pull Day Exercises

Pull exercises bring a weight toward you, or you toward a bar: rows, pull-ups, pulldowns, curls and shrugs. A pull day trains the whole back together with the biceps and rear shoulders.

Written by the GymStreak coaching teamUpdated

Exercises
132
Beginner
70
Compound
40

01

How a pull day fits your week

Pulling balances out pressing. Most people press more than they pull in daily life, so a dedicated pull day helps keep the shoulders healthy and posture strong. In a push/pull/legs split, pull day usually also includes the hinge, such as a deadlift or Romanian deadlift, or that goes on leg day instead.

02

How to train pull

Include both directions of pull: a vertical pull (pull-up or lat pulldown) for the lats and a horizontal pull (a row) for the middle back. Then add rear-delt flyes and a curl. Drive with the elbows rather than the hands, and control the lowering phase; pulling muscles recover well, so a pull day can be done once or twice a week.

03

Choosing exercises

A simple pull day: one vertical pull, one or two rows, a rear-delt exercise and a biceps curl. At home, pull-ups, inverted rows and Superman pulls cover the main patterns.

Sources
  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Position stand: Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2009.

All pull day exercises

BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced

  1. 01

    Alternate Hammer Curl

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  2. 02

    Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  3. 03

    Alternating Kettlebell Row

    Beginner compound kettlebell exercise for the middle back, also working the shoulders and lower back.

    BeginnerKettlebellcompound
  4. 04

    Barbell Bicep Curl

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  5. 05

    Barbell Shrugs

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the traps.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  6. 06

    Barbell Side Bend

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the obliques.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  7. 07

    Barbell Upright Row

    Beginner compound barbell exercise for the shoulders and traps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellcompound
  8. 08

    Bent Over Dumbbell Rows

    Beginner compound dumbbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats, shoulders and lower back.

    BeginnerDumbbellcompound
  9. 09

    Bent Over Rows

    Beginner compound barbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats, shoulders and lower back.

    BeginnerBarbellcompound
  10. 10

    Bodyweight Hang

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the forearms.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  11. 11

    Bodyweight Pullups

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the biceps and lats, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  12. 12

    Cable Curl

    Beginner isolation cable machine exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerCable Machineisolation
  13. 13

    Cable Shrugs

    Beginner isolation cable machine exercise for the traps.

    BeginnerCable Machineisolation
  14. 14

    Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  15. 15

    Cocoons

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  16. 16

    Concentration Curls

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  17. 17

    Crab Toe Touch

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  18. 18

    Cross Body Hammer Curl

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  19. 19

    Cross-Body Crunch

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the obliques.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  20. 20

    Crunches

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  21. 21

    Dead Bug

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  22. 22

    Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curls

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  23. 23

    Dumbbell Bicep Curls

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  24. 24

    Dumbbell Deadlift

    Beginner compound dumbbell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    BeginnerDumbbellcompound
  25. 25

    Dumbbell Incline Row

    Beginner compound dumbbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats and shoulders.

    BeginnerDumbbellcompound
  26. 26

    Dumbbell Shrugs

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the traps.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  27. 27

    Dumbbell Side Bend

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the obliques.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  28. 28

    Elbow to Knee

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the obliques.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  29. 29

    Hyperextensions

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the lower back, also working the hamstrings and glutes.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  30. 30

    Incline Bench Pull

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats and shoulders.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  31. 31

    Jumping Jacks

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the calves, glutes, shoulders, adductors and abductors.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  32. 32

    Kettlebell Row

    Beginner compound kettlebell exercise for the middle back, also working the shoulders and lower back.

    BeginnerKettlebellcompound
  33. 33

    Lat Pulldown

    Beginner isolation lat pulldown machine exercise for the lats, also working the forearms and biceps.

    BeginnerLat Pulldown Machineisolation
  34. 34

    Lateral Dumbbell Raises

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the shoulders, also working the traps.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  35. 35

    Lying Leg Curls

    Beginner isolation leg curl machine exercise for the hamstrings, also working the calves.

    BeginnerLeg Curl Machineisolation
  36. 36

    Lying Toe Taps

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps, adductors and abductors.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  37. 37

    Machine Preacher Curls

    Beginner isolation preacher curl machine exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerPreacher Curl Machineisolation
  38. 38

    One Arm Dumbbell Rows

    Beginner compound dumbbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats and shoulders.

    BeginnerDumbbellcompound
  39. 39

    Outer Thigh Lift

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the abductors, also working the abs, glutes and hamstrings.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  40. 40

    Palms Down Barbell Wrist Curl

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  41. 41

    Palms Up Barbell Wrist Curl

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  42. 42

    Plank

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  43. 43

    Preacher Curls

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  44. 44

    Preacher Hammer Dumbbell Curl

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  45. 45

    Punch And Kick

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and shoulders.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  46. 46

    Rear Delt Dumbbell Raises

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the shoulders, also working the middle back and traps.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  47. 47

    Reverse Cable Curl

    Beginner isolation cable machine exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerCable Machineisolation
  48. 48

    Reverse Crunch

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  49. 49

    Reverse Grip Bent Over Rows

    Beginner compound barbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats, shoulders and lower back.

    BeginnerBarbellcompound
  50. 50

    Reverse Machine Flyes

    Beginner isolation reverse fly machine exercise for the shoulders, also working the middle back and traps.

    BeginnerReverse Fly Machineisolation
  51. 51

    Reverse Plank

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, glutes, hamstrings and lower back, also working the shoulders.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  52. 52

    Scissor Kick

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  53. 53

    Seated Barbell Finger Curls

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  54. 54

    Seated Barbell Twist

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  55. 55

    Seated Dumbbell Curl

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  56. 56

    Seated Lateral Dumbbell Raises

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the shoulders, also working the traps.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  57. 57

    Seated Leg Curls

    Beginner isolation leg curl machine exercise for the hamstrings, also working the calves.

    BeginnerLeg Curl Machineisolation
  58. 58

    Seated Rear Delt Dumbbell Raises

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the shoulders, also working the middle back and traps.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  59. 59

    Shoulder Taps

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the shoulders, glutes and quadriceps.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  60. 60

    Side Bridge

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  61. 61

    Situps

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  62. 62

    Smith Machine Inverted Row

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the middle back, also working the lats and shoulders.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  63. 63

    Smith Machine Shrugs

    Beginner isolation smith machine exercise for the traps.

    BeginnerSmith Machineisolation
  64. 64

    Squat With Side Leg Lift

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the hamstrings, quadriceps and abductors, also working the adductors, glutes and abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  65. 65

    Standing Behind-the-back Wrist Curls

    Beginner isolation barbell exercise for the forearms.

    BeginnerBarbellisolation
  66. 66

    Superman Pull

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the lats, lower back and middle back, also working the shoulders.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  67. 67

    Tuck Crunch

    Beginner isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    BeginnerBodyweightisolation
  68. 68

    Underhand Cable Pulldowns

    Beginner isolation cable machine exercise for the lats, also working the forearms and biceps.

    BeginnerCable Machineisolation
  69. 69

    Weighted Crunches

    Beginner isolation dumbbell exercise for the abs.

    BeginnerDumbbellisolation
  70. 70

    Wide Grip Pullups

    Beginner compound bodyweight exercise for the lats, also working the biceps and forearms.

    BeginnerBodyweightcompound
  71. 71

    Barbell Bent Over Bar Row

    Intermediate compound barbell exercise for the middle back, also working the lats, shoulders and lower back.

    IntermediateBarbellcompound
  72. 72

    Barbell Deadlift

    Intermediate compound barbell exercise for the hamstrings, also working the glutes, abs and calves.

    IntermediateBarbellcompound
  73. 73

    Barbell Goodmornings

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  74. 74

    Barbell Rack Pulls

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  75. 75

    Barbell RDL (Romanian Deadlift)

    Intermediate compound barbell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    IntermediateBarbellcompound
  76. 76

    Behind Neck Lat Pulldown

    Intermediate isolation lat pulldown machine exercise for the lats, also working the forearms and biceps.

    IntermediateLat Pulldown Machineisolation
  77. 77

    Cable Cross Overs

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the chest.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  78. 78

    Cable Crunch

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the abs.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  79. 79

    Cable Upper Cross Overs

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the chest.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  80. 80

    Cross Elbow

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the obliques, quadriceps and lats.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  81. 81

    Decline Crunches

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  82. 82

    Decline Oblique Crunches

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  83. 83

    Decline Situps

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  84. 84

    Drag Curl

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  85. 85

    Dumbbell Drag Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  86. 86

    Dumbbell Prone Incline Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  87. 87

    Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift

    Intermediate compound dumbbell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    IntermediateDumbbellcompound
  88. 88

    Hanging Leg Raise

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  89. 89

    Hanging Pike

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  90. 90

    Incline Dumbbell Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  91. 91

    Incline Hammer Curls

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  92. 92

    Jackknife Sit-Up

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  93. 93

    Kettlebell Romanian Deadlift

    Intermediate compound kettlebell exercise for the lower back and glutes, also working the hamstrings.

    IntermediateKettlebellcompound
  94. 94

    Leg Raises

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the quadriceps.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  95. 95

    Low Cable Crossover

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the chest.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  96. 96

    Lunge With Kick

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the quadriceps, also working the abs, glutes and hamstrings.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  97. 97

    Middle Back Shrug

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the middle back.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  98. 98

    Oblique Cable Crunch

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  99. 99

    One Arm Seated Cable Rows

    Intermediate compound cable row machine exercise for the middle back, also working the forearms and biceps.

    IntermediateCable Row Machinecompound
  100. 100

    Outer Leg Lift

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the abductors, also working the abs, glutes and obliques.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  101. 101

    Overhead Cable Curl

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  102. 102

    Plate Twist

    Intermediate isolation plate exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediatePlateisolation
  103. 103

    Press Sit-Up

    Intermediate compound barbell exercise for the abs, also working the shoulders and triceps.

    IntermediateBarbellcompound
  104. 104

    Rear Smith Machine Shrugs

    Intermediate isolation smith machine exercise for the traps.

    IntermediateSmith Machineisolation
  105. 105

    Reverse Barbell Curl

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  106. 106

    Reverse Plate Curls

    Intermediate isolation plate exercise for the biceps and forearms.

    IntermediatePlateisolation
  107. 107

    Reverse Preacher Curls

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  108. 108

    Russian Twist

    Intermediate isolation exercise ball exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateExercise Ballisolation
  109. 109

    Seated Barbell Goodmornings

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the lower back and glutes.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  110. 110

    Seated Cable Rows

    Intermediate compound cable row machine exercise for the middle back, also working the forearms and biceps.

    IntermediateCable Row Machinecompound
  111. 111

    Seated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl

    Intermediate isolation barbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateBarbellisolation
  112. 112

    Seated Dumbbell Inner Biceps Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  113. 113

    Side Jackknifes

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the obliques, also working the abs and quadriceps.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  114. 114

    Side Plank Leg Pull

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, obliques, shoulders and abductors, also working the adductors.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  115. 115

    Single Leg Deadlift

    Intermediate compound dumbbell exercise for the hamstrings, also working the glutes.

    IntermediateDumbbellcompound
  116. 116

    Smith Machine Bent Over Row

    Intermediate compound smith machine exercise for the middle back, also working the lats, shoulders and lower back.

    IntermediateSmith Machinecompound
  117. 117

    Smith Machine Upright Row

    Intermediate compound smith machine exercise for the shoulders and traps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateSmith Machinecompound
  118. 118

    Squat To Toe Touch

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, glutes, hamstrings, obliques, quadriceps and adductors, also working the abductors.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  119. 119

    Squat With Cross Elbow

    Intermediate compound bodyweight exercise for the hamstrings, obliques and quadriceps, also working the glutes, abs and adductors.

    IntermediateBodyweightcompound
  120. 120

    Standing Cable Lift

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  121. 121

    Standing Concentration Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  122. 122

    Standing Dumbbell Reverse Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  123. 123

    Standing Inner-Biceps Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  124. 124

    Stiff Legged Dumbbell Deadlift

    Intermediate compound dumbbell exercise for the hamstrings, also working the glutes.

    IntermediateDumbbellcompound
  125. 125

    Straight Arm Pullover

    Intermediate compound dumbbell exercise for the chest.

    IntermediateDumbbellcompound
  126. 126

    Toe Touchers

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  127. 127

    Two-Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl

    Intermediate isolation dumbbell exercise for the biceps, also working the forearms.

    IntermediateDumbbellisolation
  128. 128

    Windscreen Wiper

    Intermediate isolation bodyweight exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateBodyweightisolation
  129. 129

    Woodchop

    Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.

    IntermediateCable Machineisolation
  130. 130

    Barbell Ab Rollout

    Advanced isolation bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the lats.

    AdvancedBodyweightisolation
  131. 131

    Inner Leg Lift

    Advanced isolation bodyweight exercise for the adductors, also working the hamstrings, quadriceps and abs.

    AdvancedBodyweightisolation
  132. 132

    Plank With Reach Out

    Advanced compound bodyweight exercise for the abs, also working the glutes, hamstrings and lower back.

    AdvancedBodyweightcompound

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