Latissimus, Upper Back

Negative Tuck Front Lever with gym rings

The Negative Tuck Front Lever is a variation of Front Lever Pulls, where you pull from a dead hang into an inverted hang on the rings and then slowly lower back to the hang in the Tuck Front Lever position. This exercise takes advantage of the fact that muscles are stronger in the eccentric phase than in the concentric phase, as explained here: Eccentric Muscle Training.

It allows you to train the Front Lever position even if you don’t yet have the strength to hold it statically. The Negative Tuck Front Lever is an excellent preparatory exercise for the Front Lever Pull.

Necessary equipment

Negative Tuck Front Lever with gym rings - the correct execution

  • Start in the inverted hang
  • Pull your shoulder blades back down
  • Angle your hips 90 degrees
  • Knees are bent
  • Lower yourself slowly and controlled into the hang position
  • Keep maximum tension in torso and buttocks
  • Arms are stretched
  • The negative phase should last about 4-5 seconds

The exercise Negative Tuck Front Lever is intended to be used as a hypertrophy, technique exercise.

Which muscles are trained by Negative Tuck Front Lever?

Primary trained muscles for Negative Tuck Front Lever

  • Latissimus - The latissimus dorsi is a large muscle in your back that helps you pull your arm down and back. It also supports breathing and stabilizes the spine.

  • Upper Back - The muscles in the upper back, including the trapezius and rhomboid muscles, help move and stabilize your shoulders. They pull the shoulder blades together and support posture.

Secondary trained muscles for Negative Tuck Front Lever

  • Abs - The rectus abdominis, also known as the "abs," runs vertically along the front of the abdomen. It is responsible for bending the torso forward, such as during sit-ups, and lifting the pelvis. This muscle stabilizes the torso, supports the spine, and helps maintain good posture.

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