Handstand Training

Here is a full workout with exercises that we looked at during our time on Friday in Tel Aviv. This overview includes name, reps, and most important cues. IMPORTANT!!  To see the video click the (“+”) symbol next to the exercise name, and it will expand.

Make sure to warm up well. 

Warm Up

DemoExerciseReps/SetsHow to/Cues
W-Raises8 repsGo slow and focus pulling shoulder blades together
W to Y-Raises8 repsActively keep lifting arms up on Y-Raises
Back Extensions8 repsInitiate lift by externally rotating your arms until thumb is facing the ceiling
Arm Circles8 per directionExtend arms to the side and create small circular movements
Elbow Raises8 repsLift elbows as high as you can
Tuck on Back2x4Push out tall, keep your lower back on the floor at all times! Look at your hands. Keep your knees together and the feet on the same distance to the floor throughout the whole movement!
Straight to Straddle - On Back2x3Cover your ears with your shoulders, look at your hands pushing against the wall. Keep your lower back pushed against the floor. As soon as your legs open externally rotate them! Keep your feet at the same distance to the floor the whole time. Stop opening your legs when the feet begin to move upwards away from the floor!
Wrist Warm-UpFew reps eachChoose 2-3 Exercises, or feel free to add your own. Go through these until your wrists feel ready.
Shoulder Opener at Wall2x30sec
Shoulder Stretch on Floor2x30secLook at hands. Bring chest to floor. Isolate the stretch into the shoulders and keep hips over knees!
Shoulder Lifts on Floor2x4Look at your hands. Do not arch your back. First reach away from your to elevate your scapula. Only after lift the hands off the floor.
Back to the Wall Shoulder Shrugs2x6Keep your ribs in and do not arch your back. Keep your elbows locked. Bonus points if you can look up towards your hands.
Chest to Wall Shoulder Lifts2x4Push your entire body including chest, core and hips against the wall. Look at your hands. First reach up towards the ceiling to elevate the scapula and then back. If you can not reach back due to a lack of mobility push your armpits towards the wall instead.
Active Shoulder Opener at Wall with Foam Roller8xLook at your hands. Push the chest towards the wall and roll the roll against the wall in each rep.

The Wall

DemoExerciseReps/SetsHow to/Cues
Wall Walks2x2Scapular elevated at all times. Look at hands at all times. Walk as close as possible to the wall. Do not allow your stomach to touch the wall. Feet only!
Tuck Slides2x2Knees touch the wall. Knees stay together. Hands shoulder width apart! Look at your hands at all times. Do not round your lower back. Do not close shoulders.
Single Leg Tuck Slide1x2 each legJust like a regular tuck slide but pull down 1 leg at the time. Make sure your shoulders are covering your ears and that your hands, hips and shoulders stay squared at all times. Do not let the pressure of the leg push your shoulders away from the wall, keep your elbows locked and look at your hands!
45 Handstand Leg Isolations2x1 each sideFocus on isolation! Move 1 leg at the time only. Do not jump away from the wall. Do not bring the foot further away from the wall than the hands as a counterweight! Keep your shoulders over your hands at all times and do not arch your back!
L Handstand Single Leg Isolations2x2 each leg alternaitngElbows locked. Hands, shoulders & hips in 1 line. Bring the foot right above. Do not externally rotate the leg. Move slow!
Half Slide Away1x3Start with your body in a perfectly straight line. Feet are the only thing touching the wall. Look at your hands and push out tall. Elbows locked. Move your shoulders to the front and slide the feet down the wall. When you are about to fall over stop and push your feet back up on the wall back to your starting position. Do not pull your hips during this movement. Do not arch your back. The only position change should be in the shoulders!
Slide Away2x2Start with your body in a perfectly straight line. Feet are the only thing touching the wall. Look at your hands and push out tall. Elbows locked. Move your shoulders to the front and slide the feet down the wall. When you are about to fall over take off from the wall and align yourself in a straight, freestanding handstand. Come abck to the wall as one straight unit. Do not close your shoulders on the way back. Do not pull your hips during the slide away. Do not arch your back. The only position change should be in the shoulders!
Box Tuck Walk1x3Make sure your box is high enough so your lower back does not round in the tuck position. Better use a box too high than too low!
Box Tuck Single Leg Isolation2x2 each leg"In the box tuck position extend one leg out towards the ceiling. Make sure the leg stays in 1 straight line right above the hands, shoulders and hips. Keep your immobile leg fully bent! Make sure your box is high enough so your lower back does not round in the tuck position. Better use a box too high than too low! "

You made it!

You’ve reached the end of this workout. Go use your legs and get food, a drink or whatever else gives you joy! 

WordPress Video Lightbox

With all wrist warm ups there is no specific number I want you to do, just do them until your wrists are fully warmed up. Generally better take more time to warm up instead of less. Pick the exercises that feel the best for your wrists, and if you already have a wrist warm-up routine, just go with that one.

Exercise 1 - Place palm of hand on the floor in various positions and angles (e.g. fingers facing your knees, fingers pointing to the outside, etc) while you load weight on to your arms gently

Exercise 2 - Place one hand on top of the other and only move your arm around (from straight to bend, imagine you are drawing circles with your elbow)

Exercise 3 - Place back of hands on ground and gently load weight on to your arms. Move around from side to side, front and back to stretch them out a bit.

Extend your arms in front of you and open/close your hands. Work on extending your fingers fully.

Start with your hand open facing towards the ceiling in extension. Now bring the tip of all 5 fingers together and and flex your wrist.

Put hands together in front you in a prayer position. Move hands downwards and elbows out to introduce a stretch. Go through these until wrists feel warm and ready