Why does my core hurt after pull-ups?

Author: Mrs. Yazmin Breitenberg MD  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Abdominal muscles often become sore from pull-ups and chin-ups due to the intense isometric demands they endure throughout the exercise. This is most notable with the rectus abdominis muscle. You'll likely experience reduced soreness or even no soreness at all as your muscles adapt to these demands.

Why does my core hurt from pull-ups?

The reason why people get sore in the abdominal region doing pullups is, during the concentric phase, the tendency is to posteriorly rotate the pelvis, pulling your legs forward, activating the hip flexor muscles (iliopsoas, rectus femoris) and the rectus abdominus.

Do pull ups work your core?

Yes, pull-ups do engage your abdominal muscles, but they primarily target the upper body, particularly the back, shoulders, and arms. During a pull-up, your core muscles, including the abs, are activated to stabilize your body and maintain proper form.

Why do my ribs hurt after pull-ups?

  • Muscle Strain: The muscles around the ribs, including the intercostal muscles, can become strained during workouts, especially if you are lifting heavy weights or using improper form.
  • Poor Form: If your form is incorrect while performing exercises, it can place excessive stress on the rib area.

Why do I feel my abs when I do pull ups?

I usually feel pull-ups in my lower abs when I do them because I'm engaging in a hollow position. If this is where you're feeling it, then it's normal and just means your core is getting a workout. The lower part of your abs are linked to your hip flexors so it could be a strength or a mobility issue.

Stronger Pullups w/ Abdominal Tension

Can pull-ups give you abs?

#3 – GIVES YOU SIX PACK ABS

Many don't realize it, but during the performance of a strict pull-up, your lats, abs and midline have to work together to stabilize the shoulders AND lift the lower body. In terms of building your six-pack abs, strict pull-ups give you a lot of bang for your buck!

How do you know if you overworked your abs?

Extremely sore muscles a day or two after a core workout means you probably overdid it and might need to dial down your workout a bit. Next time, try to finish just one full set of each exercise in the workout. You might also do fewer repetitions (reps) of the exercises you find especially hard.

What muscles should be sore after pull-ups?

Lats. Lats (or latissimus dorsi) are among the primary muscles used in a pull-up. They're a pair of huge muscles across your back and your sides, from the shoulder blades and below, and they work to move your upper arms downwards.

How to tell if rib pain is muscular?

The signs and symptoms of intercostal muscle strain may include pain in the chest or rib area; feeling short of breath; limited range of motion of the upper torso; and muscle spasms of the intercostal muscles. The pain can be sharp or dull and worsen when an individual breathes, moves, coughs, or sneezes.

Do planks give you abs?

“Front planks are a great way to work the abs and obliques. Some people complain that you can't get a 'six-pack' look by doing planks. Not only is that false—you can achieve that look if you do planks on one arm and one leg—but it raises the question of your intention.

Are pull-ups increasing height?

There remains a sense of ambiguity surrounding the question, “can pull-ups increase height?” To be clear, engaging in pull-ups does not directly lead to a growth in stature. However, this exercise aids greatly in refining your posture and creating the illusory effect of increased height.

Do pull ups affect core?

Overall, the benefits of pull-ups extend beyond just building muscle. By incorporating this challenging exercise into your fitness routine, you can improve your strength, posture, grip, and core stability.

How many pull-ups a day?

Beginner: Start with 2-3 sets of 3-5 pull-ups, 2-3 times per week. Intermediate: Aim for 3-4 sets of 6-10 pull-ups, 3-4 times per week. Advanced: Perform 4-5 sets of 10-15 pull-ups, 4-5 times per week, incorporating variations such as weighted pull-ups or different grip positions.

Did I break a rib or pull a muscle?

With a rib fracture, the pain is usually much more severe than that of intercostal muscle strain. The following symptoms may signal a rib fracture: feeling breathless. a protrusion or a sharp stabbing sensation in the rib area.

Is chest cracking normal?

A popping or cracking sound in the sternum is generally not a cause for concern. However, anyone who wonders about the cause may wish to see a doctor. This is especially important when any other symptoms, such as pain or swelling, accompany the sound. These may indicate an injury or another health issue in the area.

What can be mistaken for rib pain?

A person may mistake other conditions for rib pain. For example, a condition affecting the heart or lungs may cause referred pain in the ribs. However, there could also be less severe causes, such as indigestion. To get an accurate diagnosis, a person should contact a doctor if they experience rib pain.

Why is my core sore after doing pull-ups?

Abdominal muscles often become sore from pull-ups and chin-ups due to the intense isometric demands they endure throughout the exercise. This is most notable with the rectus abdominis muscle. You'll likely experience reduced soreness or even no soreness at all as your muscles adapt to these demands.

What is the average pull-ups for a man?

The average male can perform about 14 pull-ups, categorizing him as Intermediate. World record for pull-ups in one minute is 52 for men and 39 for women. Age, body weight, and fitness level significantly impact your pull up capability.

Am I just sore or did I pull a muscle?

Telling the difference can be difficult if you don't know what to look out for. With muscle soreness, you won't feel it until a day to two later. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate.

How to tell if your core is sore?

Core muscle injury symptoms and risks

The most common symptom of a CMI is deep, chronic pain in the groin or lower abdominal muscles. The pain often resolves when you're resting but flares up when exercising. The most extreme pain occurs when you make explosive movements or sudden changes in direction.

Do abs need rest days?

Generally speaking, Jay says, most people shouldn't do ab workouts more than six times a week. Not only do your abs need a break, but so does the rest of your body. Without at least one rest day per week, you aren't giving your body a fighting chance to recover from the workouts you put it through.

How do I tell if I'm overtraining?

Training-related signs of overtraining
  1. Unusual muscle soreness after a workout, which persists with continued training.
  2. Inability to train or compete at a previously manageable level.
  3. "Heavy" leg muscles, even at lower exercise intensities.
  4. Delays in recovery from training.
  5. Performance plateaus or declines.

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