The number of pullups a man can do is a point of pride. 

Fortunately, whether you’ve hit a plateau or you’re still struggling to get your chin up to the bar, a simple warmup can help you increase your reps.

In part, the key to cranking out more pullups lies in your shoulder position: You want to keep your shoulders down and back at all times, says Men’s Health Fitness Director BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S.

Regularly performing the pullup shrug—a movement that stretches your lats and strengthens your traps—can help train your shoulders to hold a stronger position and ultimately allow you to hit a new PR.

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“The upper traps elevate your shoulders, your mid traps pull them back, and your lower traps pull them down,” Gaddour says. “We’re focusing on the last two to make sure we keep the shoulders down for a stronger pullup.”

Watch Gaddour perform the pullup shrug with proper form in the video above. Then set aside 10 minutes before your next pullup workout. Do 10 reps every minute on the minute for 10 minutes straight. 

“Do that consistently for four to six weeks,” Gaddour says. “Your pullup numbers will go up, your shoulders will feel better, and your lats will grow.”