Let's Hang Out!

Hanging from a bar may seem like a strange way to spend your time, but it’s a great way to build shoulder strength AND it’s the first step towards a proper pull-up. If you’re an aerialist like I am, hanging technique is crucial!

So how should you hang? Here are some cues to get you started:

1) Hands slightly wider than shoulder width

2) “Break the bar”- imagine you are trying to snap the bar in half. This cue should get your elbows to rotate inward. Make sure that your elbows are fully extended.

3) Keep your shoulders down and back. Don’t let your shoulders “sink in” so that they’re almost touching your ears; you want to maintain space around your ears. Draw your shoulder blades down along your back to really engage the muscles.

4) Keep the core engaged. If you have the space below you, practice hanging in the “hollow body” position, with your feet slightly in front of you.

Want to see it in action? Check out my video below!