Intermediate exercise

RTO Support Hold

Also called Rings-Turned-Out Sup Hold

  • Stability
  • Strength
  • Calisthenics

Technique

How to perform RTO Support Hold

  1. Stand between a pair of rings and place one hand on each bar, fingers pointing forward and thumbs wrapped securely around the rings. Jump or press through your arms to lift yourself until your elbows are fully locked and your arms are vertical. Allow your legs to hang straight beneath you or bend your knees if clearance is limited. Depress your shoulders by actively pushing the rings down, drawing your shoulder blades down and slightly outward to engage your lats while keeping your chest tall with arms at your side held against your body. Finally, turn your hands out so that your palms are facing forward in your support hold.
  2. Brace your core, squeeze your glutes, and hold your body in a rigid, upright line. Avoid shrugging, swinging, or letting your hips drift forward.
  3. Maintain steady breathing and keep light outward tension on the bars, holding this support position for the prescribed time.
  4. Lower yourself gently back to the starting position or step down under control before repeating if additional sets are required.

GymDaze demonstration

Watch RTO Support Hold

Programming relevance

Muscles involved

Primary targets: Pectoralis Major Sternocostal Head, Latissimus Dorsi, Pectoralis Major Clavicular Head.

MuscleScoreRole
Latissimus Dorsi0.9Target, Stabilizer
Anterior Deltoid0.3Stabilizer
Pectoralis Minor0.3Stabilizer
Rhomboid Major0.3Stabilizer
Serratus Anterior0.3Stabilizer
Trapezius0.3Stabilizer
Triceps Medial Head0.3Stabilizer

Calisthenics graph

Progression relationships

These relationships describe graph position, not personal readiness.

Previous exercises

Next exercises

Explore this progression