How to do a TRX Hammer Pull
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with TRX Hammer Pull
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
TRX Hammer Pull is a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. The use of a TRX strap allows you to easily control your resistance by stepping closer or further from the anchor point. By extending one arm to either side at a time, you can isolate each side, which can help identify and address discrepancies in strength between sides.
- Stand upright while holding the TRX handles with bent elbows in front your chest before extending your arms to fall backward. Pull your chest back up towards to the TRX anchor as your right elbow slides past your torso and your left arm extends laterally at shoulder height. Repeat with the opposite side.
Common Form Mistakes
Adjusting Difficult with TRX
Copying someone else’s form is usually a great way to learn an exercise. With TRX straps, it can be a bit more tricky. Adjusting where you stand in relation to the anchor point will add more or less resistance to the exercise. Make sure you’re positioning yourself in a way that gives you the proper resistance for your current capabilities.
Sets & Reps Calculator
Average TRX Hammer Pull standards by male, female, gender, weight, age and height
Use this calculator to see Fitbod's possible first recommendations for you. This would be your starting line, based on more than 4.5 billion logged sets from 1.1 million users.
- beginner3sets8reps1 Set Max9reps
- intermediate4sets8reps10reps
- advanced4sets9reps11reps
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Alternatives & Variations to TRX Hammer Pull
1. TRX W Deltoid Fly
18.1 mSCORESWAPPED 53 TIMESTargeting the posterior deltoids, the TRX W Deltoid Fly emphasizes shoulder strength and stability. This isolation exercise is particularly beneficial for improving posture and shoulder health, as it encourages a full range of motion and controlled movement patterns unlike traditional deltoid exercises.
2. Dumbbell Front Raise
98.6 mSCORESWAPPED 48 TIMESDumbbell Front Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the shoulders, more specifically the anterior deltoid (front of the shoulder). This is a very common shoulder exercise, and can work well to isolate the shoulders to build strength and muscle mass. By using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
3. Hammer Curls
99.2 mSCORESWAPPED 46 TIMESSimilar to other curls, this isolation exercise targets the biceps. Unlike the standard Dumbbell Bicep Curl, this variation rotates your wrist into a more natural position. This rotation also help to emphasize the long head of the bicep. This is a great exercise for adding some variety to your curls as well as developing functional strength and building muscle mass.
4. TRX T Deltoid Fly
20.2 mSCORESWAPPED 39 TIMESThe TRX T Deltoid Fly isolates the deltoid muscles, with a particular focus on the lateral and posterior heads. This exercise is effective for improving shoulder stability and range of motion, offering unique benefits for shoulder health and posture correction compared to traditional deltoid exercises.
5. Cable Face Pull
96 mSCORESWAPPED 37 TIMESCable Face Pull is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders, more specifically your posterior deltoids (back of the shoulder). By using a cable machine, you have more control over where the resistance is coming from, and can easily make adjustments by either moving towards or away from the cable machine, or by adjusting the height of the pulley.
- Intermediate
- Shoulders
- Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
6. Kettlebell Upright Row
75.4 mSCORESWAPPED 36 TIMESKettlebell Upright Row is a variation on the more standard Upright Row. This compound exercise primarily targets your shoulders. The benefit to using a Kettlebell is the ability to pull the handle in opposite directions at the top of the movement. This can help improve muscle activation compared to other variations.
7. Dumbbell Shoulder Press
99.5 mSCORESWAPPED 36 TIMESDumbbell Shoulder Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets the shoulders. The use of dumbbells allows for slightly more instability than with equipment like barbells. This can help you recruit and develop stabilizing muscles around the shoulders. In addition, by using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
8. Cable Lateral Raise
97.7 mSCORESWAPPED 33 TIMESCable Lateral Raise is a variation on the more standard Dumbbell Shoulder Raise. Similar to the Dumbbell Shoulder Raise, this isolation exercise primarily targets the shoulders, and more specifically the medial deltoid (middle of the shoulder). By using a cable machine, you have more control over the direction your resistance is coming from, and can easily make adjustments. In addition, by isolating each side of the body, you can more easily identify and address strength imbalances between sides.
9. Dumbbell Shoulder Raise
97.8 mSCORESWAPPED 28 TIMESDumbbell Shoulder Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the shoulders, more specifically the medial deltoid (middle of the shoulder). This is a very common shoulder exercise and can work well for building muscle mass and strengthening the shoulders. By using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
10. Arnold Dumbbell Press
93.2 mSCORESWAPPED 25 TIMESArnold Dumbbell Press is a compound movement that primarily targets the shoulders. The difference between the Arnold Press and a standard Shoulder Press is that you bring the dumbbells in front of you at the bottom of the movement rather than stopping when they reach your shoulders. Bringing the dumbbells in front of you can be more a comfortable movement as well as improve muscle activation.