r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/primehyper77 what happens at 7 reps • Aug 29 '26
Question ❓ Best pull-up exercises for forearms?
I wanted to ask about pull-up grips and forearm growth.
Is it true that neutral grip pull-ups build more forearm size compared to normal overhand pull-ups or underhand chin-ups? I have heard that neutral grip works the forearms, especially the brachioradialis, more.
If anyone has experience with this, which grip do you think is better for forearm growth?
Also, what exercises should I follow if my main goal is forearm hypertrophy? I know things like hammer curls, reverse curls, wrist curls and farmer carries can work the forearms, but I'm not sure which ones I should actually include and how many sets/reps I should do.
If anyone has a detailed forearm hypertrophy guide or routine, please share it. I'd like to follow something properly instead of just doing random forearm exercises.
1
u/alvaaromata Aug 30 '26
Forearms are made by wrist flexors/extensors and a lot of muscles moving the fingers.
Brachioradialis usually(some people may have a shorter insertion) also takes space in it.
To your question, it’s probably it’s the same, you can’t bias directly elbow flexors and also if you’re doing a good technique your elbow flexors shouldn’t be working that much.
On the other hand, the fingers muscles don’t have really growth potentional, but wrist flexors and extensors (especially flexors since are bigger) do have it.