A design method for controllers and a comprehensive stability analysis for an acrobat based on Lyapunov functions are presented. Three control laws based on three Lyapunov functions are designed to increase the energy so as to move the acrobot into the unstable inverted equilibrium position, and solve the problem of posture and energy. The concept of a non-smooth Lyapunov function is employed to analyze the stability of the whole system. The validity of this strategy is demonstrated by simulations.