Exercise Guide: How to Do Proper Ring Pull-Ups?

Exercise Guide: How to Do Proper Ring Pull-Ups?

The ring pull-up is a challenging but effective way to strengthen your upper body. It engages the arms, back and core muscles as you lift yourself with the support of two suspended rings.

Like most athletic activities, the ring pull-up requires a proper form to maximize benefits and reduce injury risk. But with practice, you can use this advanced technique to develop strength, power, endurance, and stability in your upper body.

Read on to find out how to do a proper ring pull-up!

1. Strenght

The ring pull-up is an effective exercise to build strength in your upper body. To start, place the rings at a height that is comfortable for you. Make sure they are secure and stable before beginning.

Then, grip the rounds with an overhand grip—palms facing away from you—and hang with your arms fully extended and your feet off the ground. The ring pull-up benefits from engaging your core muscles to keep the body stable, so tighten your abdominal strength by drawing your navel towards your spine. It’s important to keep your shoulders back and down and avoid arching your lower back.

2. Power

Once you have established a strong and stable base, slowly draw your shoulders down and back as you lift yourself toward the rings. Keep your elbows close to the body and avoid swinging from side to side.

When you reach the top of the pull-up, pause for a few seconds before slowly lowering yourself back down in a controlled manner. The key is to focus on engaging your muscles rather than relying on momentum—this will help you build strength more quickly and reduce your risk of injury.

3. Endurance

For those looking to build endurance in their upper body, incorporating ring pull-ups into a circuit training routine or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be especially beneficial.

Aim for sets of 10-15 reps for maximum benefits. To prevent boredom and add variation, you can also incorporate variations of the ring pull-up such as chin-ups (palms facing towards you), wide grip pull-ups, or one-arm pull-ups It’s also important to keep a close eye on form throughout your sets.

4. Stability

Stability is a key factor in proper form during any exercise, but especially important when doing ring pull-ups. To ensure your upper body stays stable throughout the movement, actively engage your core muscles by drawing your navel towards your spine.

Maintain this engagement to keep your torso straight and avoid arching your lower back. This will also help prevent fatigue and allow you to perform more reps with better form.

5. Ask the professional for help

If you’re new to the ring pull-up exercise or want extra guidance on proper form, it is recommended to contact a certified fitness professional who can provide personalized instruction. They will be able to give you feedback and suggest modifications that are specific to your abilities and needs.

Sometimes, small adjustments can make a world of difference in your performance and help you reach your fitness goals faster.

6. Recovery

Anytime you work out, it’s important to allow your body time to recover. Take a few minutes after completing each set of ring pull-ups to stretch the muscles that were used and practice deep breathing.

This will help restore energy levels and reduce fatigue. Additionally, proper nutrition and hydration are essential for muscle recovery and overall health. It is also recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night to reduce stress and maintain a healthy body.

Why is it important to do ring pull-ups correctly?

Ring pull-ups are excellent exercises for strengthening and developing the muscles in your upper body. However, if done improperly, you could end up with strains or other injuries that can be difficult to recover from.

Therefore, it is essential to use proper form and control when doing this exercise to reap all the benefits and avoid any risks of injury. Additionally, doing the exercise correctly will help you get the most out of your workout so that you can reach your fitness goals faster.

Is it possible to do ring pull-ups without a partner?

Yes, it is possible to do ring pull-ups without a partner. However, having an experienced spotter can help ensure proper form and technique and can also provide motivation and guidance throughout the exercise.

If you don’t have access to a spotter, be sure to check in with yourself on your form throughout each set of reps and take breaks as needed for rest or stretching. Additionally, if you feel like you need extra assistance with the pull-up itself, there are products available that can provide support (such as resistance bands) so that you can still practice the motion safely.


Ring pull-ups offer an effective and challenging way to build strength, power, endurance, and stability in your upper body. To get the most out of this exercise, focus on proper form and keep your core engaged to maximize benefits and reduce injury risk. Don’t forget to add variation by changing your grip or incorporating arm pulls ups for a more intense challenge! With practice, you will soon be mastering the ring pull-up like a pro. Good luck!