Exercise guide
Corn Cob Side To Side Pull Up
- Advanced
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
This advanced pull-up variation builds exceptional upper body strength and lateral stability by shifting body weight from side to side at the peak of the contraction. It significantly increases time-under-tension for the lats, biceps, and rear deltoids while demanding high levels of scapular control.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Grip the bar with an overhand (pronated) grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Hang with arms fully extended and feet off the floor, engaging your core to prevent swinging.
- Depress your scapula by pulling your shoulders down and away from your ears to engage the lats.
How to do it
- Exhale as you pull your chest toward the bar until your chin is clearly above the bar level.
- Maintain the top height and shift your body weight horizontally until your chin is positioned over your right hand.
- Shift horizontally across the bar until your chin is positioned over your left hand.
- Return to the center and inhale as you lower yourself back to a full dead-hang with a controlled 2-3 second tempo.
Form checklist
- Keep your chin above the bar throughout the entire lateral shift phase.
- Maintain a rigid core and keep your legs still to prevent swinging or using momentum.
- Ensure your shoulders stay pulled down; do not let them shrug toward your ears during the shift.
- Move in a straight horizontal line rather than dipping your chest down in the middle of the shift.
Pro tips
- Think about pulling the bar 'down' with the side you are moving toward while using the opposite arm to stabilize and push slightly.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together throughout the shift to maximize trapezius and rhomboid activation and maintain height.
Make it harder
- Perform multiple lateral shifts (e.g., right-left-right-left) before descending to the starting position.
- Wear a weighted vest to increase the demand on the isometric hold and lateral transition.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the corn cob side to side pull up work?
- The corn cob side to side pull up primarily targets the lats and trapezius, and also works the abs and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the corn cob side to side pull up?
- The corn cob side to side pull up requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the corn cob side to side pull up good for beginners?
- The corn cob side to side pull up is rated advanced. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.