Steve Mercado

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.

Sunday 230430

Sunday 230430

Complete as many reps as possible in 8 minutes of:
3 strict handstand push-ups
3 overhead squats
6 strict handstand push-ups
3 overhead squats
9 strict handstand push-ups
3 overhead squats
12 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
15 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
18 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
21 strict handstand push-ups
9 overhead squats

Continue until time expires, adding 3 handstand push-ups each round and 3 overhead squats every 3 rounds.

♀ 105 lb ♂ 155 lb

Scaling:
Today’s movement combo will tax your overhead position. Reduce the reps on the handstand push-ups and/or reduce the load on the barbell in order to work through the earlier rounds with minimal rest.

Intermediate Option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 8 minutes of:
1 strict handstand push-up
3 overhead squats
2 strict handstand push-ups
3 overhead squats
3 strict handstand push-ups
3 overhead squats
4 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
5 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
6 strict handstand push-ups
6 overhead squats
7 strict handstand push-ups
9 overhead squats

Continue until time expires, adding 1 handstand push-up each round and 3 overhead squats every 3 rounds.

♀ 95 lb ♂ 135 lb

Beginner Option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 8 minutes of:
3 push-ups
3 overhead squats
6 push-ups
3 overhead squats
9 push-ups
3 overhead squats
12 push-ups
6 overhead squats
15 push-ups
6 overhead squats
18 push-ups
6 overhead squats
21 push-ups
9 overhead squats

Continue until time expires, adding 3 push-ups each round and 3 overhead squats every 3 rounds.

♀ 22 lb ♂ 35 lb

Saturday 220122

Saturday 220122

Open Workout 15.4
Complete as many reps as possible in 8 minutes of:

3 handstand push-ups
3 cleans
6 handstand push-ups
3 cleans
9 handstand push-ups
3 cleans
12 handstand push-ups
6 cleans
15 handstand push-ups
6 cleans
18 handstand push-ups
6 cleans
21 handstand push-ups
9 cleans

Etc., adding 3 reps to the handstand push-up each round, and 3 reps to the clean every 3 rounds.

♀ 125 lb ♂ 185 lb

Post reps completed to comments Compare to 170209.

Scaling:
The beginner should practice time in the inversion, either in a handstand, or holding an object overhead. Athletes of all levels should first develop the strength in a strict handstand push-up before performing a kipping handstand push-up.

Beginner Option:
Complete as many reps as possible in 8 minutes of:
3 push presses
3 cleans
6 push presses
3 cleans
9 push presses
3 cleans
12 push presses
6 cleans
15 push presses
6 cleans
18 push presses
6 cleans
21 push presses

Etc., adding 3 reps to the push press each round, and 3 reps to the clean every 3 rounds.

♀ 55-lb push press, 65-lb clean
♂ 75-lb push press, 95-lb clean

21-15-9 Complex

For Time8 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)7 Cleans (155/105 lb)6 Snatches (155/105 lb)8 Pull-Ups7 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups6 Bar Muscle-Ups6 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)5 Cleans (155/105 lb)4 Snatches (155/105 lb)6 Pull-Ups5 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups4 Bar Muscle-Ups4 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)3 Cleans (155/105 lb)2 Snatches (155/105 lb)4 Pull-Ups3 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups2 Bar Muscle-Ups
For Time
8 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)
7 Cleans (155/105 lb)
6 Snatches (155/105 lb)
8 Pull-Ups
7 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups
6 Bar Muscle-Ups
6 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)
5 Cleans (155/105 lb)
4 Snatches (155/105 lb)
6 Pull-Ups
5 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups
4 Bar Muscle-Ups
4 Deadlifts (155/105 lb)
3 Cleans (155/105 lb)
2 Snatches (155/105 lb)
4 Pull-Ups
3 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups
2 Bar Muscle-Ups