Using apparatus such as the rings or parallettes requires a few special considerations versus just placing your hands on the floor.

Though the fundamental concerns remain the same, having to grip and be stable on a piece of equipment requires the following details.

Arm Alignment on the Rings

The general alignment should be a straight line from your middle finger through the middle of your wrist to point of the elbow to the center of your shoulder.

Essentially you need to “stack your blocks” correctly. Both for the safety of your joints and also for optimal performance. Being off line can place undue strain on the joints and is a waste of muscular energy, energy that should be used for the exercise at hand.

Center of Gravity Awareness on Apparatus

Another important detail to consider on the apparatus is knowing where the mass of your body is in relation to a vertical line made by the rings.

For example, whilst in the top position on the rings, do you know where your body should be in relationship of that straight line from the rings to the sky and rings to the floor? How much of your body is in front of that line, and how much is behind it?

This awareness helps you to attain the correct position, and what you need to do to get there.