close grip pull ups

[Belial]

A different ROM will not change how a muscle grows. It will change strength at different angles, but the muscle shape will not change because of it.

Like tuna guy said, there's SOME, and I repeat SOME evidence out there that certain fibers/portions of a muscle can be preferentially activated, but that's usually under very SUB-maximal load, such as during finely controlled work.

However, even IF a muscle could contract only a certain portion of itself under high stress, (and therefore cause site-specific growth), (which I maintain is bollox), changing the angle of the hand or width of the grip would CERTAINLY not make a difference.

If you were to argue that bent-over BB rows may cause different stimulation to the lats than weighted pull-ups, I'd still smack you and say you're wrong; the chief difference will be in the synergist muscles worked. However, I would say that these two exercises would be better candidates for "hitting the lats differently" than changing something as (relative to the lats) insignificant as the grip.

 

[Robboe]

so you're backing me up then B.

good boy.

 

[Belial]

*hands Robboe a cookie*

 

[The Dude]

The greater range of motion does work the muscle differently. Besides, prioritize close-grip pulldowns or pullups if you lower lats are lacking and watch them come alive. Mine did. Oh yeah, it wasn't like my back was lacking beforehand either.

 

[Robboe]

so dude, are you saying the wide grip gives a greater ROM or the close grip gives a greater ROM?

Also, define 'lower lats' for me.

 

[Cackerot69]

ROM has nothing with how a muscle looks when developed. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use a full ROM, though. Static contration and small range movements cause some unfavorable metabolic adaptations as well as having a very small strength transfer neurally.