Just getting back into working out and using calisthenics as my go to for gaining strength and mobility. I was in really good shape years ago, so I know it’s possible to do! Dropped just over 20 pounds of excess weight in the last couple months to help with joint pain. Any tips for wrists though? Pushups are hard on the wrists!

The muscle-up and the ring muscle-up are two of the most wanted skills in calisthenics. They look powerful. They feel impressive. And they are also two of the most misunderstood skills people try to learn too early. A lot of people think muscle-ups are just about trying harder. Usually that is not the problem. Usually the problem is one of these: • not enough pulling strength • not enough height on the pull • poor transition mechanics • not understanding the difference between bar and rings • skipping the progressions So let’s break down: • bar muscle-up vs ring muscle-up • what makes them different • the progressions • the drills • the common mistakes • what strength you should have first • how to train them properly 🤔 What is the difference between a bar muscle-up and a ring muscle-up? They are similar, but not the same. Bar muscle-up The bar muscle-up is a little more technical because the bar gets in the way. That means you need to: • pull high enough • get your chest over the bar • time the transition well • move in more of a curved path around the bar The good news is that if you have enough power, you can get the bar muscle-up earlier. So the bar version is often: • more explosive • a little more technical • more dependent on timing and pull height Ring muscle-up The ring muscle-up is usually easier to get if you have great mobility and good positions, even if you are not as explosive. Because the rings move, they do not block you the same way the bar does. That means if you have: • a high enough pull • good ring support • enough dip strength • enough mobility to stay close and lean forward then the ring muscle-up can feel smoother. This is one reason men’s gymnasts can learn ring muscle-ups very young. Even athletes around 9 years old can learn them and do them slowly because the skill allows for that smoother transition. So the quick summary is: • bar muscle-up is more explosive and a bit more technical • ring muscle-up is more position based and easier to make smooth if mobility and control are there

I’ve been trying to fit training in between my physically active job and my desk job. I went on a hike yesterday and thought it would be cool to do a headstand on a log bridge I found. My friend snapped a photo, and I thought it would be fun to share! Been challenging my flexibility as well.

I decided to start training tuck front lever holds and raises today to assist with straight arm strength that will carry over for planche training. I was pleasantly surprised that my grip held up to the challenge with the buddy tapping. Might take a little while to build the grip strength back up again but I feel like I’m making good progress with the recovery. I took a video of my first attempt, if anyone has any feedback or suggestions on technique that would be very welcome!

Just ordered a pull up bar to work out from home. Looking forward for it to arrive 😄