Exercise guide
Ring L Sit Chin Up
- Advanced
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
This advanced compound movement combines an isometric core hold with a vertical pull, maximizing tension in the lats and biceps while demanding extreme abdominal stability.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Adjust the rings to a height that allows for a full hang without your feet touching the floor.
- Grip the rings with a supinated (palms facing you) or neutral grip, keeping wrists straight.
- Hang with arms fully extended and shoulders depressed (active hang).
- Lift your legs until they are parallel to the floor, forming a 90-degree 'L' shape with your torso.
How to do it
- Exhale and pull your chest toward the rings, maintaining the rigid L-sit position throughout the entire ascent.
- Pull until your chin is above the level of your hands, keeping the rings close to your body.
- Inhale as you lower yourself back to the starting position with a controlled 2-3 second eccentric phase.
- Maintain the 90-degree leg angle even at the bottom of the movement before starting the next rep.
Form checklist
- Keep legs perfectly straight and toes pointed to maintain tension.
- Do not allow the legs to drop below horizontal during the pulling phase.
- Avoid 'kipping' or using leg momentum to assist the pull.
- Ensure the shoulders stay down and away from the ears to protect the rotator cuffs.
Pro tips
- Squeeze your quads and glutes as hard as possible; a rigid lower body makes the L-sit feel lighter and more stable.
- Allow the rings to rotate naturally from a supinated grip at the bottom to a neutral grip at the top to optimize bicep recruitment and joint comfort.
- Think about pulling your elbows into your back pockets to maximize lat contraction.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second pause at the top of each rep with the rings touching your chest.
- Perform the movement with a weighted vest to increase the resistance on both the pull and the core hold.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the ring l sit chin up work?
- The ring l sit chin up primarily targets the abs, biceps, lats, and trapezius, and also works the obliques and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the ring l sit chin up?
- The ring l sit chin up uses suspension trainer.
- Is the ring l sit chin up good for beginners?
- The ring l sit chin up is rated advanced. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.