Do a Pullover on Bars

Doing a pullover on bars is one of the most important beginner skills in gymnastics. As you first begin training, the pullover move is how you will mount the bar to prepare for other moves. In advanced gymnastics, more difficult mounts are used. Start by learning the walking pullover, then try the standing pullover.

Steps

Doing a Walking Pullover

  1. Grab the bar with your fingers facing away from you. Position your hands at shoulder-width and wrap your fingers around the bar, making sure your thumb is on the same side as all other fingers. This is a common mistake beginner gymnasts make that can lead to broken fingers.[1]
  2. Take a step back from the bar. Instead of standing with your feet right under the bar, take a step back. Your feet should be lined up with each other and close together.
  3. Step forward with your weak foot. If you're right handed, step forward with your left foot; if you're left handed, step forward with your right foot.
  4. Kick your strong leg up and under the bar. Keep your leg perfectly straight and your toes pointed. The momentum from your leg will lift your body up and over the bar.
  5. Bring your legs together as you flip over the bar. Your hands will still be gripping the bar, elbows bent, while your legs swing over the bar and your body rotates in a circle. Your body should be anchored to the bar right across your hips.
    • It helps to look for your legs on the other side of the bar as you rotate. Keep your head tucked in so you can see your legs coming down, and the rest of your body will follow.
    • Rotate your wrists as your body moves around the bar. This will enable you to finish upright.
  6. Straighten your arms when your body is finished flipping. Raise your torso above the bar and finish with your body in a straight line: straight arms, straight chest and straight legs. Pause for a moment in an upright position before dropping to the floor.[2]

Doing a Standing Pullover

  1. Grab the bar with your fingers facing away from you. Position your hands at shoulder-width and wrap your fingers around the bar, making sure your thumb is on the same side as all other fingers. Your elbows should be comfortable relaxed.
  2. Stand with your feet directly under the bar. Instead of starting from a step back, stand right under the bar. Your feet should be lined up with each other and close together. Starting from this position is more difficult than starting from a step away, since all of your momentum must come from moving your legs forcefully out of a standing position.
  3. Swing your legs together under the bar. Keep your legs perfectly straight and your toes pointed and swing them powerfully under the bar. The momentum from your legs will lift your body up and over the bar.
  4. Flip your legs over the bar. Your hands will still be gripping the bar, elbows bent, while your legs swing over the bar and your body rotates in a circle. Your body should be anchored to the bar right across your hips.[3]
    • It helps to look for your legs on the other side of the bar as you rotate. Keep your head tucked in so you can see your legs coming down, and the rest of your body will follow.
    • Rotate your wrists as your body moves around the bar. This will enable you to finish upright.
  5. Straighten your arms when your body is finished flipping. Raise your torso above the bar and finish with your body in a straight line: straight arms, straight chest and straight legs. Pause for a moment in an upright position before dropping to the floor.

Tips

  • Don't drop your chin from the bar because if you do you can't get your legs up.
  • Don't throw your head backwards. It will make your hips fall off the bar, and you cannot do a pullover.
  • Try to keep your legs straight while pushing them over the bar if not get a friend to hold them or put something between them.
  • Always look at the bar and bend your arms when trying it.
  • When you do your pullover always find your feet while flipping backward.

Warnings

  • Have a coach spot you until you get the hang of it by yourself.
  • Do not use MONKEY bars! Gymnastics bars have rubber inside them to protect you, monkey bars do not and you could get injured.

Things You'll Need

  • A bar
  • Strong abs
  • Strong arms

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.fitstream.com/exercises/bar-pullover-a6074
  2. ↑ http://www.gymchat.com/messageboards/gymnastics-practice-workout/143086-how-do-pullover-bars.html
  3. ↑ http://woman.thenest.com/pullover-bars-2663.html

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