Using Gymnastics Rings to Develop Functional Strength

Gymnastics rings have become my favourite tool for developing upper body and core strength.

In this video, I have a light resistance band tied between the two rings to provide support as I work at the challenging transition phase between a pull-up and dip while moving with control.

Sporting goods stores provide bands of different degrees of resistance, so no matter what your current level of strength is, you can use these bands to help you utilize rings to improve your functional strength. You can find the bands that I use here:

Stretch Resistance Bands

For a look at a series of progressions that you can use to safely and gradually build up the capacity to use rings to do all sorts of strength-building exercises, please feel free to view:

Progressive Exercises for Upper Body Functional Strength

Why be interested in developing and maintaining strength? Beyond having more capacity to engage in different activities and prevent injury, lean tissue mass acts as a reservoir for sugar in the form of glycogen, so as you develop and maintain lean tissue mass, you improve your body's ability to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and decrease risk of many degenerative diseases.

For an overview of exercise progressions that you can work at to improve your mobility and balance in a systematic way, please feel free to visit our Mobility Exercise Progressions page here:

Mobility Exercise Progressions

For some suggestions on how to set up a simple workout area at home, including how to set up gym rings, please feel free to view:

Suggested Resources for a Home Gym