Front Lever Guide: How to Master the Ultimate Lat Hold

Learn the correct form for the Front Lever. Follow our step-by-step guide to build back strength and core stability with this advanced bodyweight exercise.

How to Perform

  1. Grip a pull-up bar with an overhand, shoulder-width grip and hang with your arms fully extended.
  2. Engage your lats and depress your shoulder blades to create a stable platform in your upper back.
  3. Pull your body upward while simultaneously leaning back, keeping your arms completely straight to bring your torso horizontal.
  4. Extend your legs fully and squeeze your glutes to create a straight line from your head to your heels.
  5. Hold this horizontal position while focusing on pulling the bar down toward your hips to maintain elevation.
  6. Maintain the hold for the desired duration while breathing steadily through your nose.
  7. Lower your legs back to a vertical hang with control to conclude the set.

Common Mistakes

  • Bending the elbows to compensate for lack of lat strength
  • Allowing the hips to sag below the level of the shoulders
  • Resting the chin on the chest rather than keeping a neutral neck
  • Using momentum or swinging to kick into the horizontal position

Muscles Worked

Primary movers

  • Lats

Stabilizers

  • Core
  • Rear Deltoids
  • Forearms
  • Rhomboids

Related Guides

Lats · Back