Monday 231127

Tuesday 231212

Tuesday 231212

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

For time:
12 wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
9 wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
6 wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
3 wall walks
10 wall-ball shots

♀ 14-lb ball to 10-ft target
♂ 20-lb ball to 12-ft target

Post time to comments.

Goal: Midline and upper-body endurance. Aim to finish in 10 minutes or less.

This workout will give us a dose of humble pie. The first set of wall walks is a high number and will keep us busy for upward of a minute to 1:30. In contrast, the wall-ball shots will likely take the same amount of time each round, which means the first 2 rounds of wall walks will compound quickly. The higher target for the wall-ball shots adds an element of difficulty that will increase the demand on the core, making the wall walks much more difficult. To make things even more challenging, the arms are overhead for a good portion of the workout.

If you can't throw higher, throw heavier.

Michelle Duke, one of our coaches, is the creator of this workout and has already tested it. She has offered us some words of wisdom:

– Warm up the wall ball to the 10-foot target because that first set can take you by surprise.
– The wall balls were enough to slow down my wall walks.
– The shoulders will fatigue but the demand on the core had my wall walks feeling really sloppy.

This means:
– Get a good warm-up.
– Focus on proper mechanics and positioning for the wall walks: Tight hollow body, neutral spine and short steps.

Scaling:

Intermediate option:
For time:
12 scaled wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
9 scaled wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
6 scaled wall walks
10 wall-ball shots
3 scaled wall walks
10 wall-ball shots

♀ 14-lb ball to 9-ft target
♂ 20-lb ball to 10-ft target

Intermediate athletes will use the standard loads and target heights for the wall-ball shots. Since athletes will not get fully inverted, they may find their cores to be even more challenged.

Beginner option:
For time:
12 inchworms
10 wall-ball shots
9 inchworms
10 wall-ball shots
6 inchworms
10 wall-ball shots
3 inchworms
10 wall-ball shots

♀ 8-lb ball to 8-ft target
♂ 10-lb ball to 9-ft target

This workout will challenge core endurance. For beginners, the inchworm requires flexibility, a tight core, and weight transfer in the shoulders. Athletes can perform the inchworms moving forward or inching out to the plank position and backward to a standing position. The first 12 inchworms should take 1:00-1:30. The wall-ball shots should be done with a comfortable weight and athletes should aim for 10 unbroken reps throughout.

Resources:
The Wall Walk
The Wall-Ball Shot

Find a gym near you:
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Thursday 220428

Thursday 220428

For time:

10 wall walks
30 box jumps
30 strict knees-to-elbows
30 box jumps
30 strict toes-to-bars
30 box jumps
10 wall walks

♀ 20 in ♂ 24 in

Post time to comments.

Scaling:
If you are not proficient in the handstand, review the article “Handstands,” and practice the drills provided as well as the safety tips for bailing out. Reduce the range of motion on the wall walks to a distance you can comfortably support yourself in while inverted. For example, begin the movement in a plank with your feet touching the wall, walk your feet up the wall while keeping both hands on the ground, then walk your feet back to a plank.

Intermediate Option:
For time:
10 wall walks
30 box jumps
20 strict knees-to-elbows
30 box jumps
20 strict toes-to-bars
30 box jumps
10 wall walks

♀ 20 in ♂ 24 in

Beginner Option:
For time:
10 scaled wall walks
30 box jumps
30 hanging knee-raises
30 box jumps
30 hanging knee-raises
30 box jumps
10 scaled wall walks

♀ 12 in ♂ 18 in

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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