Dead Hang

Simply hang from the bar with the shoulders relaxed; timed, not counted – it builds grip and decompresses the shoulders.

Dead Hang, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Hang from the bar, grip shoulder-width, body long and quiet.

Steps

  1. Relax the shoulders and let the spine lengthen.
  2. Hold; time it, don't count it.
  3. Step off before the grip fails completely.

Common mistakes

Swinging: a quiet hang builds more grip. White-knuckling early: breathe and settle in. Dropping from failure: step down with control; wrists last longer that way.

Breathing

Slow and steady throughout.