Friday 230414

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 230922

Friday 230922

Practice handstand skills for 15 minutes.

Rest. Then,

Complete as many reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
2-4-6-8-10 reps of:
Squat clean
Wall-facing handstand push-up

*Any time you complete the round of 10/10, start over again at 2 reps

♀ 125 lb ♂ 185 lb

Post handstand skills and reps completed to comments.

Scaling:
During the practice choose a skill that matches your current ability level. Aim to get at least 5 working “sets” in 15 minutes. Beginners can practice pike holds or holds on the wall. Intermediate athletes can practice freestanding handstand holds. Advanced athletes can practice pirouettes and pressing to handstand.

Choose a load and HSPU variation that allows you to ‘climb the ladder’ 2x (complete the second round of 10/10).

Friday 240503

Friday 240503

Guest Programmer – Rob Lawson
April 30-May 12, 2024

Every minute on the minute for 20 minutes:

Minutes 1-5, use a light weight to complete:
1 snatch pull
1 hang power snatch
1 overhead squat

Minutes 6-10, use a light weight to complete:
1 snatch pull
1 low-hang snatch

Minutes 11-20, increase the load if movement is sound and complete:
1 snatch pull
1 squat snatch

Post takeaways and loads to comments.

Scaling:
The goal today is to build confidence in the snatch.

Every minute starts with a snatch pull to practice:
- A solid setup position.
- Hips and shoulders rising at the same time.
- Reaching full hip and knee extension before shrugging.

In minutes 1-5, concentrate on full hip extension. We are receiving the barbell high in the power snatch position (as opposed to the squat snatch), and then practicing a deeper receiving position with the overhead squat. The goal is for the skills of this complex to transfer over to the later minutes in this workout.

In minutes 6-10, start from the low hang and try to receive the bar in a squat. We may add a little weight, but stick to the same weight for the full 5 minutes; the opportunity to increase weight will come in the next 10 minutes. Focus on being patient, keeping the chest/shoulders on top of the bar, and jumping before using the arms to pull under.

In minutes 11-20, snatch from the floor. Focus on a sound setup position, and hips and shoulders rising at the same time before accelerating and extending the hips when the bar reaches mid-thigh — patience will be necessary to stay over the bar to reach this position. All the coaching points and practice from the previous work comes together to finish with a full squat snatch.

If you’re moving well, add weight through the last 10 minutes, but the goal is to have no missed lifts. Do not sacrifice form for load.

Intermediate option:
Same as Rx’d

Beginner option:
Same as Rx’d

Resources:
The Snatch
The Hang Power Snatch
The Overhead Squat
Learn More About Guest Programming

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map

Featured photo:
Level 1 Seminar at The Ranch in Aromas, California.

Saturday 231209

Saturday 231209

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

On a running clock:
0:00-10:00:
1 snatch high pull
1 hang power snatch

10:00-20:00:
Complete the following complex for max load:
1 power snatch
2 hang squat snatches

For Part 1: Start at 30% of your max snatch and work up to 50%.
For Part 2: Make as many attempts as desired within the 10-minute window.

Post load to comments.

Goal: Technical practice and application. Percentages are based on your best power snatch.

Focus on continuous leg drive and elevating the bar. If the second pull is not executed efficiently, you won’t be able to lift as much load.

When time starts, athletes begin with 30% of their best snatch, or what they consider to be a light weight, and work up in load using the complex of 1 snatch high pull + 1 hang power snatch until they hit about 50%.

At the 10-minute mark:
Athletes move on to their working window and hit the complex of 1 power snatch + 2 hang squat snatches as heavy as possible.

Athletes cannot drop the bar between their power snatch and hang squat snatch.

Scaling:

Intermediate option:
Intermediate athletes can perform this workout as prescribed.

Beginner option:
From 0:00-10:00:
Practice the following complex with an empty bar or a light weight:
1 hang snatch pull
1 hang power snatch

From 10:00-20:00:
Work up to a heavy set of:
3 hang power snatches

Resources:
The Hang Power Snatch
“What Is a Snatch?”

Find a gym near you:
View the CrossFit map