This dual-action grip-focused pull-up exercise is going to build gorilla-level grip strength.
And while this setup does work the back and arms to some degree, it's mostly focused on the hands...and it'll help you build up your specific grip strength for pull-ups.
To do this one, you'll need a power rack with a pull-up bar on it (most have this) and a barbell.
You're going to be cradling the barbell in your thumbs, pressing it overhead until you can grab onto the pull-up bar while cradling it. Then you're going to do pull-ups.
The barbell allows you to easily change the amount of loading you're putting on the hands.
Doing this setup with the safety rails in the power rack set high makes it easy to press that bar into into position as you work up to heavier weights since you can set the rails of your rack to a fairly high position and just do a partial shoulder press up.
The main hitch will be you'll need to have a rack that you can reach the chin-up bar from a standing position (or, if it's tall, you'll just need a Step riser, bench or a thick bumper plate or two to stand on to reach it... lots of options).
You're going to cradle the bar with just your thumbs, then after you press up, grip over the top with your fingers.
Clamp your grip so that you're actively pulling the bar into the bottom of the chin-up bar during the entire exercise. It'll give you a more open hand position, which is challenging.
This works the hands and fingers HARD while you're doing a pull-up, making it excellent for developing exercise-specific grip strength.
I've got 65 lbs here... the bar plus a couple of 10 lb bumper plates.
Here's what the exercise looks like in action.
Press from the rails.
Press up until you can reach your fingers over the top of the bar.
Clamp your hands onto both bars.
Then do pull-ups.
When your hand strength or finger strength starts to give out, come down and stand on the floor, then lower the bar back down to the safety rails.
This exercise setup really targets specific grip strength for pull-ups with a wide open hand position and clamping tension.
Barbell Clamp Weighted Chin-Ups
If you're super advanced, you can also set this up as a chin-up and add some additional weight from a belt.
I've got 70 lbs hanging from my waist and 65 lbs on the bar. The underhand position is tougher to press the bar up, even though the chin-up itself is a stronger movement.
The additional weight really forces you to clamp down hard to maintain your grip on the two bars.
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