When I first started my hanging journey, I followed the traditional methods: BTC (between the cheeks), straight down, and other recommended angles. But after months of hanging off my chair, dealing with posture issues and discomfort, I knew something had to change.
That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of hanging upwards—not something you hear about often, but a setup that has completely changed my approach.
I know many of you are sceptical. “Hanging UPWARDS? Will that even work?” That’s exactly what I asked myself. So, I decided to test it out.
This is my personal experience, the science (or at least my theory crafting) behind it, and why you might want to consider it.
The Problem with Traditional Hanging Positions
For three months, I religiously hung BTC. At first, it seemed like the best option for ligament stretching and overall length gains. But the side effects?
- My lower back started aching from the awkward position.
- My posture suffered from constantly slouching in a chair.
- The discomfort made long sessions unbearable.
So, I started experimenting. I had seen some people discuss SO (Straight Out) hanging, but what about going UPWARDS?
My Custom Hanging Setup – 140° Upwards Hanging
✔️ Maintain precise weight measurements (currently at 7.5 lbs).
✔️ Lay down comfortably while hanging.
✔️ Avoid back pain and poor posture.
✔️ Evenly distribute tension.
I positioned myself so that my shaft pointed at an upward angle of about 140 degrees, keeping the weight pulling upwards rather than down. This wasn’t just about comfort—I theorized that this might engage different tissues for better gains.
Does Hanging Upwards Work?
1. Ligament Stretch & Potential Length Gains
Unlike BTC, where you’re mostly targeting the suspensory ligament, upward hanging seems to engage the tunica more effectively (at least in my case). The tunica is known for being tough to stretch, but once you start making gains there, they tend to be more permanent.
2. Better Comfort & Longer Sessions
Since I wasn’t hunched over in a chair, I could actually relax while hanging. This allowed me to extend my sessions without unnecessary discomfort.
3. The Unexpected Benefit – Fixing My Turkey Neck?
One surprising side effect was that the ball weight plus the upward angle seemed to pull and smooth out my turkey neck skin. Could this setup actually improve aesthetics as well as length? It’s too early to say for sure, but the initial results are promising.
4. Straight Out Potential?
My next step is to try a straight-out tie-down setup to compare results. If SO hanging engages the tunica more than BTC, could an upward angle amplify these effects?
Potential Downsides & Considerations
While this method has been working well for me, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Not a lot of research exists on upward hanging, so it’s mostly trial and error.
- Comfort is key – make sure your setup isn’t causing unnecessary stress.
- Measure your progress – don’t assume it’s working; track your length and see if gains are happening.
- Intensity matters – a higher angle might require a bit more weight to be as effective as BTC hanging.
Final Thoughts – Should You Try It?
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hanging upwards might be worth testing. For me, the ability to:
✅ Maintain my posture
✅ Extend my sessions comfortably
✅ Engage the tunica effectively
✅ Potentially fix turkey neck
…has made this one of the best modifications I’ve made to my routine.
Of course, everyone’s anatomy is different, so what works for me may not work for you. But if you want to optimize efficiency for length gains, why not experiment with a new angle?