How to Do Gorilla Chin/Crunch
Start and end of one clean rep of Gorilla Chin/Crunch.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Biceps, Back |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Gorilla Chin/Crunch
- Hang from a chin-up bar using an underhand grip (palms facing you) that is slightly wider than shoulder width.
- Now bend your knees at a 90 degree angle so that the calves are parallel to the floor while the thighs remain perpendicular to it. This will be your starting position.
- As you exhale, pull yourself up while crunching your knees up at the same time until your knees are at chest level. You will stop going up as soon as your nose is at the same level as the bar. Tip: When you get to this point you should also be finishing the crunch at the same time.
- Slowly start to inhale as you return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
- Biceps (secondary): bends the elbow and turns the palm up during pulls and curls.
- Back (secondary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Gorilla Chin/Crunch work?
Gorilla Chin/Crunch mainly works the core, with the biceps, back helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Gorilla Chin/Crunch?
None — Gorilla Chin/Crunch is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Gorilla Chin/Crunch?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
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