Wednesday 240717

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.

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

Monday 240129

Monday 240129

As many reps as possible in 4 minutes of:
3 wall-facing strict handstand push-ups
5 shuttle runs

As many reps as possible in 4 minutes of:
6 strict handstand push-ups
5 shuttle runs

As many reps as possible in 4 minutes of:
9 kipping handstand push-ups
5 shuttle runs

1 shuttle run = 25 feet down and 25 feet back

Post reps to comments.

Scaling:
Today’s workout is a mix of high-skill gymnastics and grunt work. You have to pay the toll of the shuttle runs in order to play with the handstand push-ups. Scale the number of shuttle runs to finish in 1 minute or less. The most challenging variation of the handstand push-up is up first. Challenge yourself, but not so much that you spend a lot of time resting. There is more benefit in scaling the handstand push-up and continuously moving than in trying to do too much and twiddling your thumbs.

Intermediate option:
As many reps as possible in 6 minutes of:
3 strict handstand push-ups
5 shuttle runs

As many reps as possible in 6 minutes of:
6 kipping handstand push-ups
5 shuttle runs

1 shuttle run = 25 feet down and 25 feet back

Beginner option:
As many reps as possible in 12 minutes of:
3 dumbbell shoulder presses
10 shuttle runs
6 dumbbell shoulder presses
10 shuttle runs
*Etc.

*Continue adding 3 reps to the dumbbell shoulder presses until time expires.

1 shuttle run = 25 feet down and 25 feet back

♀ 15 lb
♂ 20 lb

Resources:
The Wall-Facing Handstand Push-Up
The Strict Handstand Push-Up
The Kipping Handstand Push-Up
The Dumbbell Press

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Featured photo:
Taken at CrossFit Fury in Goodyear, Arizona.

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

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