The “Secretly Easy” Skill Almost Anyone Can Unlock

When people think of calisthenics skills, they usually picture the impossible ones — planches, levers, muscle-ups. But there’s one skill that looks advanced… and is surprisingly beginner-friendly: the elbow lever.

Here’s why it’s different:

You don’t need extreme strength — your elbows act like shelves that support your body.
You don’t need crazy mobility — a solid plank and some balance is enough to start.
You don’t need months of training — most people can unlock it in weeks with focused practice.

Here’s how to do it:

Place your hands on the floor just wider than shoulder-width, fingers pointing slightly out.
Bend your elbows and rest them into your core/hip crease — think of your arms as “shelves” for your body.
Shift your weight forward slowly, keeping your chest low and eyes looking slightly ahead (not down).
Engage your core, squeeze your legs together, and lift your feet off the floor.
Balance by adjusting your weight with tiny shifts forward and back — like a teeter-totter until you find the sweet spot.

The elbow lever doesn’t need extreme strength or flexibility. It’s mostly about finding balance and trust in your body position.

It’s also a great confidence booster. Nothing feels better than pulling off a move that looks advanced but is totally within reach.

💬 Question for you: Can you hold an elbow lever yet? Drop a comment if you’ve unlocked it — or if you’re going to try it today.

9 comments