Training to do a Handstand (beginner!)

bigroastdinner

I have decided that I would like to be able to do a handstand, but my upper body strength is nothing anyone would ever be jealous of. Do you know of any really beginner routines that I could work on that would build up the muscles required, and eventually lead up to a handstand?

Thanks

Laura

randomtai

Yoga training.

rybo

Google GMB and gymnastics bodies.com
There are tons of hand stand progressions and programs out there

_nice_

^^^^ whatever this guy says is awesome. Yoga is where it's at for developing balance. I started with planks and free weights to get strong. Hand stands are a long term goal. I still have to use the wall. I did catch a crow pose for a hot second once!

djmiller54

forearm planks (30 seconds, build up to 2 minutes); then dolphin pose, moving forward and back chin to ground over your forearms. These will build the shoulder strength you need. Also, you need to strengthen your core and lengthen your hamstrings. Go to a yoga class with a good teacher and tell them ahead of time what your goal is and they can give you more prep. poses. Good luck, you can do it!

lulucitron

lots of practice and use the wall at first and then you can start doing them away from the wall...cartwheel out when you lose your balance. It's just finding that sticking point.

LovelyIvy466

Another vote for yoga classes. A one hour class is often the warm up for a handstand or headstand. They do a great job warming up the muscles used in handstand (teachers also use those poses as a basis to assess whether or not you are capable of the pose, and if you're not you can get great feedback on what muscles to stretch or strengthen to get up into a handstand) and then walking you through the process of getting up, first with a wall (and probably an assist) and ultimately without.

ninerbuff

Pike pushups, overhead presses, close grip pushups for starters to develop some of the smaller muscles needed to perform it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

CoachJen71

You've gotten some great ideas for working up to a handstand. Here are some tips for when you are ready to get into one.

Pole_Kat

Practice practice practice! I need to work on mine for pole dancing - I use the wall, plank, push ups, lots of core work! Feel free to add me if you want a handstand practice buddy!