1-minute handstand hold
2 minutes of wall-ball shots
In round 1, subtract 5 reps each time you fall from the handstand. In round 2, subtract 10 reps. In round 3, subtract 15 reps. Feet must be off the floor by 0:00, 3:00 and 6:00 or start over. If a fall keeps your feet on the ground for more than 5 seconds, start over.
♀ 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.
♀ 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.
♀ 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.
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.
Scaling:
Today we’re using a heavier medicine ball than we typically see on the wall ball and mixing in weighted runs. Select a weight outside your comfort zone and tackle this grueling workout. Beginners should reduce the overall volume.
Intermediate Option:
For time:
800-meter run
30 wall-ball shots
400-meter weighted run
15 wall-ball shots
400-meter weighted run
15 wall-ball shots
800-meter run
30 wall-ball shots
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.