Tuesday 191126

Monday 240513

Monday 240513

Freestanding handstand push-up practice

Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:

Headstand

Headstand with knees to chest

From the headstand position, kick upward to a handstand and hold

Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to a headstand

Multiple freestanding handstand push-ups

Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:

As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 double-unders
5 freestanding handstand push-ups

Post rounds and reps to comments.

Scaling:
The goal today is to build confidence in a gymnastics movement and develop a better understanding of your body in space. This is an opportunity to practice complex skills in a low-intensity environment.

Setup and execution:

*Perform all stages of the progression about 1 foot off a wall. Consider using an AbMat for your head. Even though the wall is there, the goal is to use it only if you lose balance or control. Remember, we are working on a freestanding handstand and handstand push-up.

Headstand | Start in a frog stand and extend both legs above your body. Your head and hands will still be on the ground in the tripod position.

Headstand with knees to chest | While in a headstand, slowly bring your knees to your chest and then extend them back above your body.

Kick to a handstand | While in a headstand, bring your knees toward your chest in a controlled fashion. While extending your legs, think about driving your heels to the sky — this will build momentum. Then press with your arms to complete the freestanding handstand.

Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to headstand | If you cannot yet hold a freestanding handstand, use the wall for assistance. Once you kick up, hold for a second or two, then slowly bring your head back down to a headstand. Achieve this by bringing your head in front of your hands, and allow the feet/legs to have a slight backward lean to counterbalance. This can be completed with one or both legs on the wall for assistance.

Multiple freestanding handstand push-ups | Once you have successfully made it back to the headstand, attempt another rep.

Modifications:

Go as far as you can in the progression and stop when it becomes challenging. Over time, progress to the full movement as you develop the skills.

Intermediate option:
Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:

Headstand

Headstand with knees to chest

From the headstand position, kick upward to a handstand and hold

Kick to a handstand, hold, and lower back to a headstand

Multiple handstand push-ups

Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:

As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 double-unders
5 handstand push-ups

*Perform all stages of the progression a few inches off a wall. Consider using an AbMat for your head. The goal is to kick up and back to a headstand against the wall. If you are confident with this, try the freestanding variation.

Beginner option:
Spend 15-20 minutes practicing the following progression:

Inchworm

Pike headstand

Pike handstand hold

Pike push-up negative

Multiple pike push-ups

Rest at least 10 minutes, then perform:

As many rounds and reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
35 single-unders
5 pike push-ups

*Perform all stages of the progression in the middle of an open floor. Consider using an AbMat for your head. To make the pike position easier, keep your feet away from your hands. The closer the feet are to the hands, the more difficult the movement will be. The goal is to practice loading as much bodyweight as possible onto the hands, and to build confidence getting upside down. If you are confident with this progression, try the intermediate variation.

Resources:
The Freestanding Handstand Push-up
The Handstand
The Kipping Handstand Push-up
Handstand Push-up Variations
The Double-under

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Featured photo:
Taken by Charlotte Foerschler at Destination Defender in Somerville, Texas.

Friday 220610

Friday 220610

Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:

30-second handstand hold
30-second squat hold
30-second L-sit hold
30-second chin-over-bar hold

Post rounds completed to comments.
Compare to 131215.

Scaling:
Most athletes can maintain the structure of this workout. Choose static hold modifications that allow you to hold for 30 seconds straight. Rest as needed between movements and sets.

Intermediate Option:
Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
30-second handstand hold
30-second squat hold
30-second L-sit hold, knees bent
30-second chin-over-bar hold

Beginner Option:
Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
30-second plank hold
30-second squat hold
30-second hollow body hold
30-second dead hang hold

Tuesday 210615

Tuesday 210615

Tabata back squats, 65/95 lb.
Rest 1 minute
Tabata L-sit
Rest 1 minute
Tabata ring rows
Rest 1 minute
Tabata handstand hold
Rest 1 minute
Tabata row

The Tabata interval is 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest for eight intervals. For the L-sit and handstand hold, count the number of seconds maintained in the hold.

Post total reps/seconds/calories for each exercise to comments. Compare to 201105.

Scaling:
Reduce the load on the back squat to allow you to keep moving for the full 20 seconds. For the L-sit, find a variation with which you can perform at least a 20-second hold. For the ring rows, find a foot position that allows you to complete 10 consecutive reps. Moving the feet farther away will increase the difficulty. If you are unable to kick up to a handstand, select a modification that allows you to develop strength in an inverted position.

Intermediate Option:
Tabata back squats, 45/65 lb.
Rest 1 minute
Tabata L-sit
Rest 1 minute
Tabata ring rows
Rest 1 minute
Tabata handstand hold against wall
Rest 1 minute
Tabata row

Beginner Option:
Tabata air squats
Rest 1 minute
Tabata knee tuck on parallettes
Rest 1 minute
Tabata ring rows
Rest 1 minute
Tabata pike hold
Rest 1 minute
Tabata row

Tuesday 211019

Tuesday 211019

For time:
3-minute handstand hold
100 squats
50-meter handstand walk
100 squats
30 handstand push-ups

Perform handstand hold against a wall (with only the feet touching) and accumulate a total of 3 minutes before moving on to the squats.

Post time to comments.
Compare to 181013.

Scaling:
If you are not highly proficient with handstands, modify each movement to a point that is manageable but challenging. Read How Long Can You Handstand It? for handstand tips and drills.

Intermediate Option:
For time:
2-minute handstand hold
100 squats
25-meter handstand walk
100 squats
20 handstand push-ups

Perform the handstand hold against a wall (with only the feet touching) and accumulate a total of 2 minutes before moving on to the squats.

Beginner Option:
For time:
2-minute inverted hold
50 squats
25-meter bear crawl
50 squats
30 knee push-ups

Perform the inverted hold with the hands on the ground and the feet or knees on a box and accumulate a total of 2 minutes before moving on to the squats.