Ring Pull-Ups Exercise Guide: How to Master Ring Pull-Ups

A ring pull-up is a bodyweight exercise practiced on gymnastic rings. Ring pull-ups use a similar range of motion to a bar [pull-up](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pull-up-exercise-guide) or [chin-up](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chin-up-guide), wherein the goal is to use your core and upper body to lift your head above the gym rings. Practicing ring pull-ups and ring muscle-ups is a great way to build upper-body strength and grip strength. To practice ring pull-ups, start in a [dead hang position](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dead-hang-exercise-guide) gripping the rings firmly in each hand, and pull your body up by squeezing your shoulder blades together. Bring your elbows toward your body until your collarbone rises above the bottom of the rings. For the ring pull-up, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions. Choose your sets and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout all sets and repetitions. 1. Grab the rings with a full overhand grip, approximately shoulder-width apart. You can stand on a plyometric box or a secure flat bench to reach the pull-up rings if need be. 2. Step off of the box and allow your legs to hang. Your arms and legs should be extended, and your elbows should be slightly bent. 3. Squeeze your glutes and quads. 4. Engage your core. Your ribs should be down, and your pelvis should be slightly tucked. 5. Rotate your shoulders outward to engage your lats. Your shoulder blades should be upwardly rotated away from your spine. Your chin should remain tucked throughout the movement as if you were holding an egg under your chin. 6. Initiate the upward movement by simultaneously pulling your shoulder blades down and pulling your elbows towards your body. 7. As you pull, rotate your shoulders outward so your palms face your body. 8. Continue to pull your shoulder blades toward your spine and squeeze your upper back and lat muscles until your collarbone reaches the bottom of the rings. 9. Pause for a second at the top of the movement 10. Begin the downward movement by simultaneously straightening your arms and allowing your shoulder blades to rotate and move away from your spine upwardly. 11. As you lower, rotate your shoulders inward, so your palms are facing forward. 12. Slowly lower your body back to the starting position. 13. Your arms should be extended long with a slight bend in your elbow, and your shoulder blades should be away from your spine. 14. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions. Ring pull-ups are a calisthenics exercise that builds strength and defines muscle. Some of the muscles worked the most during ring pull-ups include: - __Lats__: The latissimus dorsi muscles—large V-shaped muscles that connect your arms to your spine—help stabilize your spine and strengthen your shoulder and back muscles. - __Biceps__: Ring pull-ups are one of the best upper-body exercises for building and defining your biceps. - __Shoulders__: Ring pull-ups work multiple muscles in your shoulders, including your infraspinatus and lower trapezius muscles. - __Core__: Practicing pull-ups on gymnastics rings engages your abdominal muscles. Ring pull-ups are an upper-body workout with several notable benefits. 1. __Ring pull-ups build upper-body strength__. Ring pull-ups can help build muscles in your arms, neck, shoulders, back, and core. 2. __Ring pull-ups build grip strength__. Unlike a pull-up bar, gymnast rings do not have a fixed point of contact. Using gymnast rings engages the muscles in your hands and forearms to stabilize. 3. __Ring pull-ups are a versatile workout__. Ring pull-ups fit into a wide variety of workout routines. Whether you're training for Olympic weightlifting or simply exercising in your home gym, ring pull-ups offer strength-training benefits to all athletes. If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort. In order to see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery. Throw on some athleisure, fire up a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com), and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and *GQ* fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time. If you’re looking for a variation on traditional pull-ups, try ring pull-ups with gymnast rings.