Training to do a Handstand (beginner!)

bigroastdinner
bigroastdinner Posts: 263 Member
edited November 17 in Fitness and Exercise
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 :smile:

Laura

Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Yoga training.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Google GMB and gymnastics bodies.com
    There are tons of hand stand progressions and programs out there
  • _nice_
    _nice_ Posts: 55 Member
    ^^^^ 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
    djmiller54 Posts: 37 Member
    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
    lulucitron Posts: 366 Member
    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
    LovelyIvy466 Posts: 387 Member
    edited April 2015
    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
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    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
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  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    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
    Pole_Kat Posts: 104 Member
    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!
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