Exercise guide
Weighted Muscle-Up On Bar
- Advanced
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
The weighted muscle-up is an elite compound movement that combines explosive pulling power with a high-intensity pressing transition to build massive upper body strength and coordination.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Secure a weight plate using a dip belt or a weighted vest, ensuring the load is centered and stable.
- Grip the bar with a shoulder-width overhand grip, ideally using a 'false grip' (wrists slightly over the bar) to ease the transition.
- Hang with arms fully extended and engage your core to maintain a slight hollow body position.
How to do it
- Pull explosively toward your lower chest while driving your elbows back and keeping the bar close to your body.
- At the peak of the pull, aggressively lean your torso forward over the bar to transition your weight from a pull to a press.
- Exhale forcefully as you press your body upward into a straight-bar dip until your arms are fully locked out.
- Lower yourself back down with control, reversing the movement through the transition and back to a dead hang while inhaling.
Form checklist
- Keep your core tight and legs together to prevent energy leaks.
- Avoid excessive leg swinging or 'kipping' to ensure the upper body is generating the power.
- Ensure your elbows stay tucked toward your ribs during the transition phase to protect the shoulders.
- Complete a full range of motion by locking out at the top and reaching full extension at the bottom.
Pro tips
- Focus on 'pulling the bar to your hips' rather than your chin to create the necessary height for the transition.
- The transition is the most technical part; move your chest over the bar as fast as possible once you reach peak height.
- Maintain a 'false grip' throughout to reduce the distance your wrists must rotate during the turnover.
Make it harder
- Pause for 2 seconds at the top of the dip and at the bottom of the hang to eliminate all momentum.
- Perform the entire movement with an L-sit leg position to drastically increase core demand and change the center of gravity.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the weighted muscle-up on bar work?
- The weighted muscle-up on bar primarily targets the lats, pectorals, and trapezius, and also works the forearms, grip muscles, and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the weighted muscle-up on bar?
- The weighted muscle-up on bar uses pull up bar.
- Is the weighted muscle-up on bar good for beginners?
- The weighted muscle-up on bar is rated advanced. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
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