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Movement Families

Rings

Gymnastic rings skills and progressions

Skills in Rings

360 Pull

Complete a full rotation from dead hang front levering through to candle and continuing through to back lever and finally ending in German hang, and reverse.

Movement Families
6-12 months

Back Lever

A horizontal hold with your back facing the sky, building unique shoulder and bicep strength. Often the first lever skill achieved by practitioners.

Movement Families
6-12 months

Back Lever Pull-Ups

Raising and lowering the body while holding a back lever line, driven by the lats with straight arms. An advanced lever strength progression for people who already own a solid static back lever.

Movement Families
6-12 months

False Grip

Essential grip technique for ring muscle-ups, where the wrist sits over the rings allowing for smooth transitions.

Movement Families
2-4 weeks

German Hang

A hang held at the bottom of a backward rotation, with the arms behind the body and the shoulders in full extension. It is the position skin the cat passes through, and the foundation for back lever.

Movement Families
6-10 weeks

German Hang Pull

Pulling out of a german hang back to a normal hang using straight arms alone. It is the strength half of the position, and the bridge from holding shoulder extension to producing force in it.

Movement Families Movement Families
8-12 weeks

Iron Cross

The ultimate ring strength position. This iconic skill demonstrates exceptional straight-arm pushing power.

Movement Families
3-5 years

Muscle-Up

The ultimate pulling exercise that combines an explosive pull-up with a dip transition. Master this dynamic movement to showcase true upper body power.

Movement Families Movement Families
3-6 months (with prerequisites)

Ring Dips

Master dips on unstable rings for superior strength and stability. Essential for muscle-up development and upper body power.

Movement Families
1-2 months (after bar dips)

Ring Handstand

Master the ultimate balance challenge—handstand on unstable rings. This elite skill demands years of dedicated practice.

Movement Families
3-5 years

Ring Push-Ups

Challenge your push-ups with ring instability. Build superior chest and shoulder stability while increasing difficulty.

Movement Families
2-4 weeks

Ring Rows

Build powerful pulling strength with this fundamental ring exercise. Ring rows develop the back, biceps, and grip while teaching proper shoulder mechanics for advanced pulling movements.

Movement Families Movement Families
2-4 weeks

Ring Support Hold

Build stability on unstable rings. This fundamental position develops the strength and control for advanced ring work.

Movement Families Movement Families
2-4 weeks

Skin the Cat

A full rotation backwards through the rings from a hang into shoulder extension and back again. It is the drill that builds usable range at the end of the shoulder, and the foundation for every inversion on rings.

Movement Families
4-8 weeks

Straight-Arm Strength

Develop the unique strength required for gymnastics with locked arms. Essential for planche, levers, and advanced holds.

Movement Families
Ongoing development