You know the importance of varying your grip during chin-ups—to prevent stagnation, promote balanced strength and size development, and reduce the risk of recurring injuries. But what if you only have a straight chin-up bar? Supinated, pronated, and even mixed-grip chin-ups are no problem, but how do you perform neutral-grip chin-ups?

Here are three simple solutions:

1. Triangle Handle

The easiest way to perform neutral-grip chin-ups is to drape a triangle handle over the bar. Just be sure to shift your head to one side as you pull up to avoid hitting the bar—switch sides each rep to keep it even.

2. PVC Pipes

Head to the hardware store and grab a 2-inch PVC pipe. Cut two pieces about 3½ to 4 inches wide (roughly the width of your hands), wrap them in hockey tape for grip, and secure them to your chin-up bar. I use an ankle strap threaded through each pipe, which allows for adjustable handle width. If you have Fat Gripz, they can serve as a great alternative to PVC pipes.

3. Wood Grips

I use Metolius Portable Power Wood Grips. Unlike the previous options, these allow some rotation of the arms and shoulders. The asymmetrical design provides different grip profiles on each side, and flipping them over offers two more unique holds. They’re excellent for developing grip strength along with all the major upper-body and core muscles.

Try these variations to expand your chin-up arsenal and keep your training well-balanced.