London Bridges

How to do the London Bridges

1. Attach a climbing rope to a high beam or cross member. Below it, ensure that the smith machine bar is locked in place with the safeties and cannot move. Alternatively, a secure box could also be utilized.
2. Stand on the bar, using the rope to balance yourself. This will be your starting position.
3. Keeping your body straight, lean back and lower your body by slowly going hand over hand with the rope. Continue until you are perpendicular to the ground.
4. Keeping your body straight, reverse the motion, going hand over hand back to the starting position.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	lats
Secondary	biceps, forearms, middle back
Equipment	other equipment
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	compound

No other equipment? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Chin-Up Bodyweight Pullups Bodyweight V-Bar Pullup Bodyweight Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up Bodyweight Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover Barbell Close-Grip Front Lat Pulldown Cable Machine

Easier than the London Bridges

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Chin-Up beginner · Bodyweight Close-Grip Front Lat Pulldown beginner · Cable Machine Kneeling High Pulley Row beginner · Cable Machine

Superset the London Bridges with

Opposing chest and shoulders work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Dips - Chest Version chest Front Plate Raise shoulders Battling Ropes shoulders Sled Overhead Backward Walk shoulders

Common questions

What muscles does the London Bridges work?

The London Bridges primarily works the lats, with the biceps, forearms, and mid back as secondary movers. Chin-Up, Kipping Muscle Up, and Muscle Up train the same muscle, across 7 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the London Bridges?

The Right Equipment. Without the right equipment, Chin-Up, Pullups, and V-Bar Pullup train the same muscle, and 8 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the London Bridges suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Chin-Up, Close-Grip Front Lat Pulldown, and Kneeling High Pulley Row and work up.

Where should the London Bridges go in a workout?

Early — the London Bridges is compound, working 4 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Dips - Chest Version and Front Plate Raise later.

Similar exercises

Chin-Up Bodyweight Kipping Muscle Up Other Equipment Muscle Up Other Equipment Rope Climb Other Equipment Side To Side Chins Other Equipment Close-Grip Front Lat Pulldown Cable Machine