Dead Hang

Primary muscle group
Forearms
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement type
Isolation
Where
Home or gym

How to do Dead Hang

Setup

Grip a pull-up bar with both hands slightly wider than shoulder-width, using an overhand grip. Hang with arms fully extended, feet off the ground, and your body in a straight line.

How to do it

  1. Keep your shoulders engaged by pulling them slightly down and back rather than letting them collapse up toward your ears.
  2. Maintain a neutral head position by looking straight ahead or slightly upward.
  3. Squeeze the bar tightly with your entire hand, wrapping your thumbs around for maximum grip engagement.
  4. Keep your core lightly braced and legs together to prevent excessive swinging.
  5. Breathe steadily throughout the hold rather than holding your breath.

Watch out for

  • Letting shoulders shrug up to the ears instead of maintaining active shoulder engagement.
  • Gripping only with fingers instead of squeezing the entire hand around the bar.
  • Swinging or kicking the legs excessively, which reduces time under tension for the forearms.

FlexFit programs Dead Hang automatically when it fits your equipment, location, and recovery — sets, reps, and weight suggestions included. Try it free.

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