How to… Do The Monkey Bars

The archenemy of many, the monkey bars provide so much fun but can often be difficult to conquer. Monkey bars are all about relative strength to your body weight and having some technique. Some are harder than others - but…

By Rob Foulkes
18th February 2014

The archenemy of many, the monkey bars provide so much fun but can often be difficult to conquer. Monkey bars are all about relative strength to your body weight and having some technique.

Some are harder than others - but what’s the best way to get across?

Keep Momentum

You need to be quick to get across and keeping a good rhythm is essential. Use the legs help propel your body forward by bicycle kicking as you go. Try not to stop and keep the same pace throughout.

Use the legs to keep momentum

One Hand Per Bar

Always do one hand per monkey bar. If you get pretty good try to miss out bars to get across quicker.

Perfect The Grip

Don’t grip on the bar too much. It’s likely that the bars will be wet and muddy so you really want to have minimal contact on the bars. Try to to get over the bars as much as you can, by creating a ‘c’ with your hands this will eliminate slipping.

Create a ‘c’ with your hands and be as quick as possible

If you can dry your hands on the grass to remove the water and mud. If you’re hands are wet and muddy then you can pretty much guarantee you’ll fall in!

Showing off

If you’re getting good, knock out 10 pull ups half way to entertain the crowd or see how few you can touch as you get across.

Essential training

All upper bodyweight training is beneficial for monkey bars. Focus on pull ups, dips and press ups, but go for endurance. Follow the link below to see training tips.