Hanging from a bar is blowing up right now. Videos about the "dead hang" are all over YouTube and TikTok. Millions of people are watching them. The idea is super simple. Grab a bar. Hang there. Feel better.
So why is everyone suddenly hanging like a kid on a playground? Because it works. Here is what a plain old hang can do for you.
1. It helps your shoulders.
Most of us sit all day. Our shoulders get tight and cranky. Hanging pulls your shoulder blades into a better spot. It opens up the whole shoulder. A lot of people say their shoulder aches calm down when they hang often.
2. It is good for your back.
When you hang, gravity gently pulls on your spine. It is like a light stretch for your whole back. People who sit at a desk all day love how it feels.
3. It builds grip strength.
Your hands and forearms work hard just to keep you up there. Grip strength sounds small, but it matters. It is one of the best signs of overall health as you get older.
4. Anyone can start today.
You do not need to be strong. You do not need gear. You do not even need to hang for a long time. Start with ten seconds. Rest. Hang again. That is it.
Here is the fun part. Hanging is not a new fad to us. The Ido Portal Method has used hanging for years. There is even a famous Ido Portal challenge called the hanging month. The goal is to hang for seven total minutes a day. Not all at once. Just seven minutes spread through your day. People all over the world tried it and swore by it.
At Chicago Movement Gym, we teach hanging the right way. There is more to it than just holding on. Where do your shoulders go? Should you hang loose or pull down a little? How do you breathe? Small changes make a big difference. We show you all of it.
We are the only true Ido Portal Method movement gym in Chicago. Hanging is just one piece of what we do, but it is a great first piece. If your shoulders feel stiff or your back feels stuck, this is a great place to start.
Want to try it? Drop in for a session. 434 W Ontario St #310, Chicago. Give us a call at 312-397-1179.