Why Can’t I Do the Monkey Bars?

There’s nothing quite as humbling as trying to show your kid how to do monkey bars, only to discover you’ve lost the skill (or perhaps the strength?) with age. Why are monkey bars so hard for adults?

Or, maybe your child has been struggling with this playground staple even after practicing for hours and hours, and now they’re asking you - why can’t I do the monkey bars?

Either way, you’ve come to the right place. While there is no denying the benefits of this climbing playground equipment, the challenge is real. From the upper body strength requirements to the coordination and timing, the mental side of things, and more - we’ll cover all the reasons you might be struggling.

You’ll also gain tips on how to start improving your strength and technique while shifting your mindset to make reaching each rung or bar a bit more feasible. Our advice? Get your own monkey bars kit at Swing Set Mall and start practicing more! Practice makes perfect, after all.

Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Monkey Bars

We want to be clear - the benefits of learning the monkey bars are well worth the challenge! Not only are these among the most fun, exciting pieces of playground equipment, but they offer legitimate benefits for kids and adults alike.

They’re a powerful tool for developing upper body strength since you need to be able to hold your weight, sometimes with just one hand as you swing over to reach the next bar. This engages grip strength muscles in the forearm along with your biceps, back, shoulders, and core.

Beyond strength, monkey bars improve coordination and motor skills, as navigating each rung demands focus, balance, and timing. These are great skills for youngins to learn as they’re just starting to interact with the world around them.

But the benefits don’t stop at physical development. Monkey bars require problem-solving and strategic thinking as each move must be planned and executed with precision. This enhances hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

Plus, the perseverance needed to master the monkey bars helps build resilience, boosting confidence with every successful attempt. But are monkey bars hard, or is it a you issue? 

Are Monkey Bars Hard?

Using the monkey bars can be surprisingly challenging even for adults who haven’t attempted them in years. You remember having no trouble traversing a set of monkey bars as a kid, but now, it seems so foreign.

Kids struggle as well, especially at first. The act of swinging from one bar to the next forces the body to work against gravity, making upper body strength and grip essential.

But oftentimes, it’s more of a mental block than a physical challenge. Swinging efficiently from bar to bar is key, and improper technique can make the experience more difficult. 

Sometimes, it’s just a matter of not feeling confident in yourself that’s holding you back. Let’s take a closer look at the unique challenges of this playground staple below.

Why Are Monkey Bars So Hard For Adults and Kids Alike?

So, why are monkey bars so hard? Why can’t I do the monkey bars? We’ll highlight the physical and mental challenges alike below before setting you up for success with some tips on overcoming this obstacle. 

Upper Body Strength Requirements

We mentioned earlier that this playground feature will put your upper body strength to the test, but let’s get more specific - what do monkey bars work? 

You’ll rely on your arms, shoulders, and back to support your entire body weight as you move from one bar to the next. Depending on the distance between monkey bars, this can be incredibly difficult.

This is especially tough for kids who are still developing those muscles. Hanging on, let alone swinging across, can feel insurmountable. 

But this isn’t just something children struggle with. Adults also have a hard time unless they’re used to doing pull-ups or other upper-body exercises on a regular basis. This is where an understanding of your weight-to-strength ratio comes into play.

Weight-to-Strength Ratio

It’s all about balance. Kids, being lighter, don’t need as much strength to move their body weight across the bars. But since their muscles are still growing, they might not have the endurance to hang on for long. 

Adults, on the other hand, weigh more and might not have the proportional strength needed to hoist themselves across the bars. The heavier you are, the harder it is to support your body as you swing from one bar to the next.

Coordination and Timing

Even if you have the raw strength to hang from a bar for minutes at a time, you also need to be able to move your body efficiently through space - coordination and timing can be just as hard!

You need to time your swings just right to reach the next bar without losing momentum. This takes focus and practice. This can be a steep learning curve for kids as they develop their coordination and hand-eye skills. 

For adults, especially those who haven’t done this kind of activity in years, it can be awkward to get back into the swing of things - literally! If you miss the timing you’ll find yourself hanging still, out of rhythm, and struggling to keep going. 

Worse, you might miss the bar and end up falling or having to re-grab the bar you just left. This is where some of the mental challenges of monkey bars arise from.

Fear of Falling or Failing

We mentioned earlier that part of why you can’t do the monkey bars might have more to do with your subconscious mind trying to protect you from bodily harm.

Let’s be real - even at a lower height of monkey bars, nobody wants to fall down. If it’s not the injury you’re scared of, it could be the fear of embarrassment or even just disappointment in yourself.

This is especially true for kids who have never successfully traversed the monkey bars on their own. Until they do it, they’ll always have that lingering voice in the back of their head reminding them what could happen if they fall.

Now, some kids have a sense of fearlessness that drives parents up the wall - this is because as you age, you start to become more aware of the dangers around you. This might be why you, yourself, are having trouble with the monkey bars.

Perseverance and Patience

If you’re wondering, why are monkey bars so hard, but have only been trying for a few minutes or even a few hours, the problem is you haven’t given yourself enough time.

This isn’t something you’ll master in one try. It’s far too easy to feel defeated after a few unsuccessful attempts, but the key to conquering monkey bars is persistence.

Kids often need time to build the strength and confidence to make it all the way across, which can be frustrating at first. But trust us - the sense of accomplishment once you reach the other side is worth the hard work and patience!

Muscle Deterioration With Age

Maybe you’re wondering, why can’t I do monkey bars anymore? It could be that your muscles have deteriorated with age! It’s no secret that size and strength shrink as you get older.

Things that once felt effortless are now a challenge. But the good news is that monkey bars can actually be a great way to work on reversing this muscle decline. 

While it may take more time and practice for adults, the benefits of getting across those bars are worth it for your physical health. So, follow along for some tips on overcoming this challenge below!

Tips for Overcoming the Challenges of Monkey Bars

Don’t feel bad about failing the monkey bars - you’re not alone. The truth is, these are really hard for kids and adults alike! The best way to get better at the monkey bars is to break down and focus on each challenge. 

Start by Improving Grip Strength

This is often what holds people back from traversing the monkey bars - their grip gives out before their upper body does. If your hands are slipping or your forearms are burning, it’s a sign that grip strength needs a little work.

Basic exercises like hanging from a bar at home or at the playground for as long as you can can make a big difference fast. Even just 10-15 seconds at a time will start building your grip. If you don’t have access to monkey bars, squeezing a stress ball or using grip strength trainers can also do the trick.

Begin Building Upper Body and Core Strength

The stronger your arms, shoulders, and core, the easier it will be to swing across the bars. Incorporate fun, simple exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and even planks into your routine. 

It can be tough to get kids to want to work out, so try and make it fun for them, like a game - see how many they can do in 30 seconds and challenge them to get better each time with some sort of incentive.

Practice the Swinging Motion

Success on monkey bars comes from timing and momentum. Sure, strength is important - but instead of muscling your way through, practice using your body’s natural swing to help carry you from bar to bar. 

Start by swinging from a single bar, and as you get comfortable, try letting go with one hand to reach for the next bar. You don’t need to cross the entire set of bars at once - focus on perfecting the motion and rhythm first.

Start Slow and Build Confidence

As you progress with the swinging motion you can start to make your way across. Don’t feel pressured to make it across the entire set of bars right away. 

Start by swinging between two or three bars, and slowly work your way up to more. It’s all about building confidence and momentum. This gradual approach is especially beneficial for kids, helping them feel successful, even with small progress. Celebrate the little victories!

Work on Hand-Eye Coordination

Improving hand-eye coordination can help if timing is an issue. Try playing games that involve catching or tossing balls, as they can improve reaction time and coordination. 

For younger children, even games like tossing bean bags or playing catch can help them improve the coordination they’ll need to swing across the bars more easily. If you’re trying to breed an athlete, this is a great entry point.

Take Breaks

Monkey bars can wear you out physically and mentally, especially if you’re just getting started. Be sure to take breaks when your arms are tired, and let your body recover. 

Overworking those muscles will only lead to frustration and burnout, so listen to your body and rest when needed. Those monkey bars will still be there tomorrow!

Start Practicing the Monkey Bars in Your Backyard With Our Kits at Swing Set Mall!

The best way to get better at something is to do it as often as possible. That’s why we encourage you to consider bringing the benefits of monkey bars right into your backyard!

Here at Swing Set Mall you’ll discover all the different types of monkey bars. Because these kits are intuitive, you don’t have to stress about how to build monkey bars. Instead, you can install a few posts and attach the monkey bars overhead!

You might be wondering, how much do monkey bars cost? At Swing Set Mall, you can find a complete kit for as little as $154. If you already have a structure and just need to attach bars or rungs, it’s even more affordable at around $90. We price match and cover the shipping on orders over $149, too! 

We’ve been helping families and organizations alike enjoy outdoor play since 1989. With the safest, most reliable and durable playground equipment at the lowest prices backed by exceptional customer service, what more could you ask for?

We have other playground climbing equipment you may be interested in, too, like a playground rope ladder, climbing playset, metal climbing dome, outdoor climbing dome, plastic rock wall for playset, rock climbing rocks, playground stairs, and more.

But whether you go with a jungle gym vs monkey bars, you can place your order with confidence knowing it’s backed by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee. So, what are you waiting for? Upgrade your backyard today and help your kids master the monkey bars fast.

Final Thoughts on the Difficulties of Monkey Bars

So, why can’t I do the monkey bars? Why are monkey bars so hard for adults and kids alike? As you can see, there are quite a few reasons this playground staple presents a worthy adversary for old and young equally.

The combination of upper body strength, coordination, patience, and confidence required make these a tough challenge - but one that’s worth working towards overcoming. The key is to build strength, refine your technique, and keep trying - even when it feels impossible.

Find additional resources in our blog like how old do you have to be to use monkey bars, DIY heavy duty swing set for adults, how to hang a swing from a tree, types of swings, and more.

Otherwise, it’s time to browse our catalog and consider bringing the benefits of monkey bars into your backyard so you can start practicing more. Create the ultimate climbing challenge today!