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Exercise Guide

How to do ring suspended row

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The ring suspended row is a challenging bodyweight exercise that builds incredible back strength and core stability. Because the rings are unstable, your stabilizing muscles must work overtime to maintain balance. This movement targets the rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, and rear deltoids while allowing for a natural range of motion in the wrists, making it easier on the joints compared to fixed-bar variations.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Rings
TARGET MUSCLES
Back, Biceps, Rear Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Ring Height: Adjust the rings so they are suspended at a challenging but achievable height for you. This will usually be somewhere between your knees and hips when your arms are extended.
  2. Starting Position: Hold the rings with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) and lean back until your body forms a straight line from head to heels, arms fully extended. Keep your feet together and heels on the ground.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Pull: Pull your body up towards the rings by driving your elbows back and down. Keep your body straight and core engaged.
  2. Chest to Rings (Optional): Pull your chest up as close to the rings as possible while maintaining proper form.
  3. Controlled Lowering: Slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position, resisting the pull of gravity and maintaining tension in your back muscles.

Tips:

  • Focus on the Back: Concentrate on using your latissimus dorsi (the large muscles on your back) to pull your body up, rather than relying on your arms.
  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows close to your body and pointing down towards your hips as you pull up.
  • Body Alignment: Maintain a straight line from your shoulders to your heels throughout the movement.
  • Variations: You can adjust the difficulty of the exercise by changing the angle of your body. A more vertical position makes the exercise easier, while a more horizontal position makes it more challenging. You can also try a supinated grip (palms facing away) or a wide grip for variation.

Common mistakes: Allowing the hips to sag or pike, not pulling the chest all the way to the rings, and losing shoulder blade retraction.

Alternatives

Cable

lat prayer

Back
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown(wide bar)

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable seated one arm row

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown behind the neck

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

chin ups narrow parallel grip

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

pull up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

cable one arm lat pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

close grip chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable seated row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Cable

cable straigth arm pulldown(rope)

BackRear Shoulder
Cable

cable straight arm pulldown(bar)

BackRear Shoulder
Barbell

barbell underhand bent over row

BackBiceps
Lat Pulldown

cable seated high row(v-bar)

BackBiceps+1
Bench

dumbbell chest supported row

BackBiceps+1
Front Pulldown

machine front pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm row(with support)

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell chest supported row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

t-bar row(v-grip)

BackBiceps+1
Landmine

t-bar row

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

cable wide grip behind neck pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Low Row Machine

machine low row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell reverse grip supported row

BackBiceps+1
Pulldown Machine

machine lateral pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown reverse close grip

BackBiceps+1
High Row Machine

machine high row

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable low seated row

BackBiceps+1
Seated Row Machine

machine seated row

BackBiceps+1
Cable

cable pulldown(v-bar)

BackRear Shoulder
None

sliding floor pulldown on towel

BackBiceps
None

superman row with towel

BackBiceps
Row Cable

cable seated row(rope)

BackBiceps+1
Rings

ring high suspended row

BackBiceps+1
Squat Rack

inverted row bend knees

BackRear Shoulder+1
Kettlebell

kettlebell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Rings

ring suspended row

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell pull over

BackChest+2
Resistance Band

band seated row

BackBiceps+1
Rowing Machine

rowing on rowing machine

BackQuads+2