§ 01
Functional Movement
Clinical fitness assessment

Dead Hang

Assess grip strength endurance and shoulder stability.

Equipment

Pull-up bar at a height where the client can hang with feet off the ground.

The protocol
  1. 01Client grips the bar with an overhand (pronated) grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
  2. 02Lift feet off the ground so the body hangs freely with arms fully extended.
  3. 03Start the timer when feet leave the ground.
  4. 04The client hangs as long as possible.
  5. 05Stop the timer when they release the bar or feet touch the ground.
  6. 06Record time in seconds.
What to watch for
  • Excessive swinging — body should remain relatively still.
  • Bending the elbows (partial hang) — arms should be fully extended.
  • Using a mixed grip unless specified — default to overhand.
  • Ensure the bar is secure and can support the client's weight.
Normative scoring

Men: >90s excellent, 60-90s good, 30-60s average, <30s below average. Women: >60s excellent, 30-60s good, 15-30s average, <15s below average.

Run it with GainPT

Run this test with branded client reports.

GainPT scores Dead Hang against published normative data and turns it into a clean, GainPT-branded PDF your client keeps. All 47 clinical tests, unlimited retests — free to start, no card required.