Handstand Pushups

[Veronica]

Thom tried doing these with Shawna today, so of course I had to try it. :p I had just finished my run.

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/photos/i-DCZnmpN/0/M/i-DCZnmpN-M.jpg

Getting into the handstand was surprisingly easy and I did 3 push ups!

Veronica

[Pika]

holy moly you are strong! Good work!

[malkin]

holy moly you are strong! Good work!

No kidding!

I'd have to wear a helmet before I'd try that.

[OakLeaf]

How deep do you have to dip before it counts?

(not that I could probably bend my elbows at all ... I think I'm up to a second and a half with my heels off the wall :rolleyes:)

You rock, as usual. :D



ETA: isn't it super tough all by itself with your hands on those doubled mats?? :eek: not sure if I'd be able to go up at all on an unstable surface!

[Crankin]

I have never been able to do a handstand. And right now can't do more than a few regular push ups. Can do a good amount of girlie ones, though.
After 2 core/body ball classes I think I must be the weakest cyclist around. Seriously, my arms still hurt from Thursday.

[Veronica]

I'd never even done a handstand before. Next time I'm going to work on keeping my feet off the wall, once I figure out where my balance point is.

Thom says maybe I went down six inches. :p

Veronica

[Veronica]

ETA: isn't it super tough all by itself with your hands on those doubled mats?? :eek: not sure if I'd be able to go up at all on an unstable surface!

You know I just tried it again here at home on our tile floor. I like the mat much better. And just feeling free to klunk the wall at the gym!

Veronica

[yellow]

If you have access to a bar and long resistance bands, you can also do a variation during which you can focus on position (see this video (http://vimeo.com/3159349)). When my tennis elbow was bad, I would substitute HSPU for pull ups. For quantity, I would go with the bands. Quality, I would go with the wall and really focus on touching my head to the floor. For me, the band-assisted are easier. But I think a lot of it depends on your shoulder ROM.

Another variation (not for Veronica--for others!) is using something like a 36" box and getting into an "L"shape with your feet on the box and butt up in the air (see this video (http://www.ehow.com/video_8016881_do-handstand-push_up.html)). This is the technique that my gym uses for HSPU beginners.

I think this is one of those exercises that people think is really hard, so they mentally block themselves to it. At least that has been my observation (at my gym).

[SheFly]

V - you are a sick, sick woman (and my hero!).

SheFly