health
Is it true that … it’s harder for women to do pull-ups?
The differences in body types does mean that, on average, women find the exercise more difficult – but that’s not the whole story
TL;DR
- Pull-ups are a challenging upper-body exercise working the back, arms, and core.
- On average, pull-ups are harder for women due to less upper-body muscle mass, higher body fat, and less favorable anatomy.
- These factors contribute to a lower strength-to-weight ratio for women compared to men.
- Differences in shoulder width and center of gravity can also impact pull-up mechanics.
- Despite average disadvantages, individuals can train to become proficient at pull-ups, with many women outperforming the average man.
- To achieve a first pull-up, gradual strength building using assisted exercises like resistance bands, lat pull-downs, and rows is advised.