For swimming
For swimming, pull-up rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to swimming, easier to learn and fit in.
Face pull does more to prevent injuries.
Both are good choices that build different things for swimming, so a plan can use both.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Pull-Up. Pulling strength through the same overhead range as the stroke.
For American football, pull-up rates higher on our research criteria: more carry-over to American football. Face pull does more to prevent injuries.
For functional fitness, pull-up rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to functional fitness. Face pull does more to prevent injuries.
For climbing, pull-up rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to climbing, easier to learn and fit in. Face pull does more to prevent injuries.
For swimming, pull-up rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to swimming, easier to learn and fit in. Face pull does more to prevent injuries. Both are good choices that build different things for swimming, so a plan can use both.
Face pull is easier: it’s easy to learn, while pull-up takes some practice.
Face pull needs a cable station, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Pull-up needs a pull-up bar, so a home gym covers it.
Face pull: it rates Strong for injury protection in our research rubric, against Good for pull-up.