Skin The Cat | Calisthenics Exercise

CrossFit & Calisthenics

April 14, 2016 George D. Choy 6

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How to do the Skin the Cat exercise, muscles worked, and a video tutorial.

Skin the Cat (also known as German Hang), is a fundamental exercise, usually performed on the rings in Gymnastics, but can also be done on a bar for Calisthenics. 

This blog post included a collaboration with Xorbars. I’m a big fan of their outdoor pull-up bars, as I’ve got a customised Xorbars Multi-Gym installed in my garden. For more information or to purchase,  visit xorbars.co.uk Please see the end of this post for full disclosure. All views and opinions are my own.

Muscles Worked

This is a great exercise that I always do at the end of my workout, to increase shoulder mobility, and feel a great stretch. I like to hang for 15 seconds or more.

Skin the Cat works most of your body—you’ll need strong Lats and Abs just to get into the starting position of an Inverted Hang. Your Posterior Deltoids (Shoulders), Upper Back and Lats will get quite a workout.

If you want to safely progress to learning the Back Lever exercise, then you need to master Skin the Cat first.

Prerequisites for Skin the Cat Exercise

  • 6 Pull-ups or Chin-ups
  • Hold an Inverted Hang for at least 10 seconds continuously

Equipment Required

You can do this exercise on Gymnastics Rings, a Pull-up bar, or a sturdy bar in a playground. It’s safer to start with a low-level bar (like railings) when you’re first learning the exercise, so you don’t have far to fall.

Skin the Cat Exercise Technique

Always begin exercise with a dynamic stretching warm up [Click Here].

Starting with a low-level bar:

  • Hold the bar with an over-hand grip, shoulder-width apart
  • Bring your knees to your chest and lean your body backwards, until you’re hanging inverted and your feet have cleared the bar
  • Keeping your knees tight to your chest, lower and stretch as far as you find comfortable—this must be a controlled decent
  • Use your feet to stop your decent, then let go of the bar and repeat

CAUTION

  • This exercise could have a high risk of injury, so take your time to slowly increase the stretch, so you don’t rip your shoulders off 🙂 …or fall on your head!
  • Some people feel a prickling sensation in their upper back the first few times they try this exercise, so work the area slowly, going back and forth whenever you feel the prickles. Eventually you’ll stop feeling this, but it may take a couple of workouts.
  • Take your time to progress from one stage to the next, in order to avoid injury.

Progression 1: Extended legs with support

  • Ideally use a medium height bar that allows you to extend your legs further than a tuck, and be able to comfortably touch the ground, to support some of the weight.  
  • Once you’re comfortable with a deep stretch, you can carefully lift your feet, and take the full weight on your shoulders.

Progression 2: Extended legs with no support

  • Move to a high bar that will not allow your feet to touch the ground
  • Once your feet have passed the bar, you can bring your knees over your head in a pike position (straight legs, bent at the hips)
  • Stretch all the way down
  • Let go when you’re finished

Progression 3: Roll back up

  • Rather than letting go of the bar at the end, you can roll back up to the inverted position
  • Start with tucked knees to begin with, and gradually work up to the pike version.

Watch the video tutorial

Let me know how far you’ve got with Skin the Cat in the comment box below.
Thanks

George
George D. Choy
Personal Trainer & Calisthenics Instructor
Gymnacity in Oxted, Surrey, United Kingdom

Click here to access the Calisthenics Equipment — Beginners Guide in my Secret Library

Related Articles on Calisthenics:

This blog post included a collaboration with Xorbars. All views and opinions are my own. For more information about my collaborations, please refer to my DISCLOSURE page on the ABOUT tab. I was not paid to write this post.

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About George D. Choy 87 Articles
Personal Trainer and Calisthenics Instructor at Gymnacity in Oxted, Surrey, UK. Fit over 45. Dad with 2 energetic kids 😄 Passionate about helping people to keep strong, slim and healthy.

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DISCLAIMER: Some of the links or adverts in the post above are affiliate links—so if you click on the links and purchase an item, I may receive affiliate commission. All opinions I expressed in this post are entirely my own. Please refer to my DISCLOSURE page on the ABOUT tab. All materials, information and data provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Information on the Busy Parent Fitness website is only opinion, which may change over time and makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, validity or suitability of any information on this website and will not be liable for any omissions, delays, errors or any losses, damages or injuries arising from its use of this information or display, whether real or perceived. The information is not intended as and should not be relied upon as medical or nutritional advice. You should seek the advice of your Medical Physician and Registered Dietician before making changes to your diet or increasing your physical activity. The information and materials should not be used by those with any pre-existing medical conditions, those who suspect they have a medical condition, those taking medications, those under the age of 18 years old, those with food allergies or food intolerances, or women that have given birth in the last 12 months, or are pregnant or breast feeding. Never disregard professional medical advice or fail to seek it in a timely manner. If you experience pain, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, pain in your chest or tingling in your arms during exercise, stop exercising immediately and call the Emergency Services.

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