Friday 031212

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

Wednesday 231206

Wednesday 231206

Meet Guest Programmer – Michele Letendre: Dec. 4-17, 2023.

5 rounds for time of:
4 strict deficit handstand push-ups
8 kipping deficit handstand push-ups
16 dumbbell box step-overs

♀ 4-inch deficit, 20-inch box, 35-lb dumbbells
♂ 6-inch deficit, 24-inch box, 50-lb dumbbells

Hold two dumbbells in a farmers carry position for the step-overs.

Post your time to comments.

Goal: Upper-body pressing strength endurance + posterior-chain endurance. Aim to finish in 12-15 minutes.

Aim to move from the strict handstand push-ups (ideally unbroken) to the kipping without breaking and complete the kipping handstand push-ups in 1 to 2 sets. Break the step-overs as needed to achieve the goal.

The goal is to move unbroken from the strict to the kipping handstand push-ups. This adds an element of speed that can be surprising. Aim to complete the kipping handstand push-ups in 1-2 sets.

The training effect will be interesting because we don't get a break on the step-ups since they are loaded with dumbbells — your upper back and rear delts will be under tension the entire time. Break up the step-ups as needed to maintain the goal of the day.

Scaling:

Intermediate option:
5 rounds for time of:
4 strict handstand push-ups
8 kipping handstand push-ups
16 dumbbell box step-overs

♀ 20-inch box, 25-lb dumbbells
♂ 24-inch box, 35-lb dumbbells

For the handstand push-ups, you may reduce the reps to 3 and 6, respectively, so long as the strict handstand push-ups remain unbroken. If the volume of handstand push-ups is still too high, consider reducing the reps further or adding one or two AbMats under your head to reduce range of motion.

Beginner option:
5 rounds for time of:
4 strict dumbbell shoulder presses
8 dumbbell push presses
16 unweighted box step-overs

♀ 16-inch box
♂ 20-inch box

Use the heaviest pair of dumbbells that allows you to complete 4 strict shoulder presses and 8 push presses unbroken.

The main focus for beginners is pressing endurance with the strict and push press. This is a great opportunity to practice core-to-extremity movement patterns. Focus on keeping your weight in your heels for the entire workout.

Resources:
Handstand Push-Up Variations
HSPU and You: Master the Movement

Find a gym near you:
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Wednesday 240207

Wednesday 240207

For reps:
3 minutes of freestanding shoulder taps in a handstand
3 minutes of legless rope climbs (15 feet)
2 minutes of freestanding shoulder taps in a handstand
2 minutes of legless rope climbs
1 minute of freestanding shoulder taps in a handstand
1 minute of legless rope climbs

Post reps to comments.

Scaling:
Time to get gymnasty. The goal of the freestanding shoulder taps is to reach a point of balance in a handstand and begin the shoulder taps. A rep is counted every time a hand touches a shoulder. Challenge yourself to reach balance before beginning the shoulder taps rather than wildly throwing your feet in the air and frantically looking for a shoulder to tap. If you struggle to find a point of balance freestanding, you are better off practicing against the wall. Performing shoulder taps with your stomach facing the wall will be easier than performing shoulder taps with your back to the wall. Scale the difficulty of the rope climbs to allow yourself at least 1 rep every 20-30 seconds.

Intermediate option:
For reps:
3 minutes of shoulder taps in a handstand against the wall
3 minutes of rope climbs (15 feet)
2 minutes of shoulder taps in a handstand against the wall
2 minutes of rope climbs
1 minute of shoulder taps in a handstand against the wall
1 minute of rope climbs

Beginner option:
For reps:
3 minutes of shoulder taps in a pike position on the floor
3 minutes of pull-to-stands
2 minutes of shoulder taps in a pike position on the floor
2 minutes of pull-to-stands
1 minute of shoulder taps in a pike position on the floor
1 minute of pull-to-stands

Resources:
The Freestanding Handstand
The Legless Rope Climb
The Rope Climb (Wrapping)
The Rope Climb (Basket)
Master the Movement: Handstands

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Featured photo:
Taken by Johany Jutras at Wodapalooza in Miami, Florida.

Sunday 220911

Sunday 220911

For time:

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

Perform the 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 211019.

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.