Abs · Isolation movement
Toes-to-Bar
A isolation exercise that targets the abs. Performed with pull-up bar.
Primary muscle
Abs
Secondary muscles
—
Equipment
Machine
Difficulty
Beginner
How to perform the Toes-to-Bar
- Hang from a pull-up bar with an active shoulder set and eliminate any body swing before the first rep.
- The abs only fire once the pelvis tucks: initiate every rep with a posterior pelvic tilt, not just a hip hinge.
- Curl the pelvis up and drive the straight legs forward and up in one arc, aiming to touch the toes to the bar between the hands.
- Round the lower back and lift the hips toward the bar so the abdominals, not just the hip flexors, complete the range.
- Tap the bar with the toes at the top, keeping the shoulders active and the swing controlled.
- Lower the legs under control back to the dead hang, resisting the backswing so the next rep starts from stillness.
Suggested working range: 8–15 reps. Default progression: double progression.
Common mistakes
- •Raising the legs with a hip hinge alone and never tucking the pelvis, leaving it as hip-flexor work.
- •Kipping with a large body swing to throw the feet up to the bar with momentum.
- •Letting the legs crash back down and using the backswing to launch the next rep.
- •Going passive at the shoulders in the hang so the joint is unsupported at the bottom.
Variations & alternatives
Swap in a related movement if equipment, recovery, or progression demands it.
Use this exercise in a program
The Toes-to-Bar fits naturally into hypertrophy and strength splits that prioritize abs volume.
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