Back · Leverage Machine
Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-up
How to do the assisted parallel close grip pull-up, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Leverage Machine
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Vertical Pull
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Set the assist weight and kneel or stand on the support pad of the assisted pull-up machine. Grip the close parallel handles with palms facing each other, then pull your chest toward the bar by driving your elbows down until your chin clears it, and lower with control.
- 1Your lats and biceps pulling your body up toward the close handles
- 2Your shoulder blades drawing down and back to start the pull
- 3A full stretch at the bottom and a controlled lower
Common mistakes
- Bouncing off the assist pad to start the rep
- Shrugging your shoulders or straining your neck
- Cutting the range short at the top or bottom
Muscles worked
The assisted parallel close grip pull-up mainly works the lats and biceps, with the forearms, lower traps, mid traps, upper abs, and rear delts assisting.
- LatsPrimary
- BicepsPrimary
- ForearmsSupport
- Lower TrapsSupport
- Mid TrapsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Rear DeltsSupport
Kovo programs the assisted parallel close grip pull-up for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More back exercises
- How to do the archer pull-up
- How to do the resistance band assisted pull-up
- How to do the machine assisted pull-up
- How to do the back extension bench back extension
- How to do the machine back extension
- How to do the back lever
Last reviewed June 2026.