Straddle Front Lever
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A front lever held with legs straight and spread wide; the straddle shortens the lever, making it the step just before the full front lever.
Detail
From a straight-arm hang pulled to horizontal (face-up), extend both legs straight and spread them wide. The wide straddle keeps the body's mass closer to the shoulders (the pivot), shortening the effective lever relative to a full lever, so it can be held sooner. The wider the legs, the easier; narrowing them over time approaches the Full Front Lever.
The Latissimus Dorsi holds the body level on straight arms while the Rectus Abdominis and Gluteus Maximus keep the body rigid and the hips from sagging. Short, fresh holds; high shoulder/lat demand.
Key facts
- Legs straight and spread wide → shorter effective lever than full front lever.
- Narrowing the straddle increases difficulty toward the full lever.
- Lats hold the body level; abs and glutes keep it rigid.
Connections
- Front Lever Progression — step 3.
- Tuck Front Lever / Full Front Lever — adjacent steps.
- Latissimus Dorsi — prime mover.
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