Handstand challenge, 1 month

You could push it back to Jun 10 or 13th, depending on when we start/end the challenge!

Yay! 

OK, I'm in, but I'm gonna need some guidance as I haven't done a challenge here and I'm not sure how that works, exactly.

The categories look good, and I'm cool with starting whenever it works for everyone else.

Comet, were you able to hold your freestand right away?

Ack!  What is a handstand push-up?

Is this another cross-fit thing? :)

Well, all challenges are different. This was just my idea on how to get everyone to work on them. Some challenges are 'x' number of swim-bike-run miles, or strength, or whatever. 

So, maybe the challenge is a minimum of practice a day (based on individual) and progress is documented at the end. 

Handstand Pushup.  I guess you could say it's a CF thing, but I know gymnasts do them too. Bodyweight strength: it's a wonderful thing! There's also a kipping version, where you use your core and legs to help propel you up, allowing for many reps quickly. I have a video of myself doing them, but I don't think I can upload it here. 

So I tried some last night, just to see where I would be.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

Against a wall--g2g, Against a wall w/ a push-up, not pretty but I think I can refine that, away from the wall free standing 3 sec, but with lots--I meant LOTS--of failed attempts and some really awesome dork-outs. I was so worried with going too far over, that I was often failing to commit enough to get all the way up.

My girls (8 and 6) are very excited about this and are going to do it with me.  Cool.

Thanks for the inspiration Comet!

Great job! Cool about your girls!

There are progressions on the HSPU (handstand pushup). Use a couch pillow, abmat, etc and it lessens the distance to the floor, and is a soft cushion! 

I've never fallen completely over, or backwards, while doing them on the driveway. Once in the grass. Yes, I started out more 'cautious' and had lots of side bail-outs or didn't kick up hard enough. The beauty is, the more you practice, the more you'll learn to control your strength. And yes, start with the wall. Kick up and as you get stronger you'll not need the wall, then move to freestanding.

 SO, do we want to start tomorrow or Monday?!?!

I vote for tomorrow...why not?

Hey Teejay--In yoga we go from a wide-legged straddle to a head stand without a kick-up and the key for me is abs, abs, abs.  There is a more advanced move that does it to a handstand which I, obviously, can't do, but my teacher insists it's abs and a kegel like tightening that helps pull you up, rather than kick up. I don't know if you've tried thinking "abs" when kicking up, but maybe that might help? :)

Ok, starting tomorrow! Is there only 3 of us? 

My goals: 

1. 15-20sec freestand handstand

2. 1.5+min wall handstand

3. ONE ARM wall-supported handstand 
(tutorial HERE.)

Apparently, to get to #3, I need to have less arching in my back and more of a straight line & shoulder strength. Apparently that and shoulder mobility are the limiters. So, I shall work on that for the month!

This is not me, but what it looks like. I don't know if it's possible in a month, but I shall practice and do shoulder mobility:

OK, that chic ^ has ex-gymnast written all over her.  One handed hand stand?  Jeez, Comet, you are really upping the ante

OK, my goals are:

1) 10 sec freestanding handstand

2) 1.5 minute wallstand

3) "try" a one handed handstand with a big, big cushion under my head

I'll get a baseline tonight and post it.

I'm going to be doing these at night.  It will be interesting to see how different my results are after big swim set days. I have been swimming 5d/week lately and my shoulders and back have just gotten huge.  Adding in the handstand work may mean getting new shirts.

Baseline report:

Handstand against a wall: 1:03

Fresstanding Handstand: 4

One handed-- could lift my hand but barely, but  I think if I practice I might be able to do it in a month.

So slightly adjusted goals:

1) 10 sec freestand

2) 1.5 minute wallstand

3) Do a one handed handstand (my husband did it first try, so now I have to get it-ha!)

4)  I'd like to try to walk some steps--maybe 5? We'll see

Decided to get a baseline form shot, as I wonder if like so many things there's some technique thing and my form is way off.  I'll be curious to see it in a month.

Great job and good goals!

The only thing I'd suggest is a side angle shot for your form. All angles look great, but to best correct form for a freestand is a side. I think for a one-arm, a shot of this angle is better.

Yeah--I want a pic Teejay :)

Just to clarify, my one handed attempts will most definitely be with a wall at my butt.  I don't understand how the freestanding one handed is possible.  In doing a little research, I came across this little gem:

In all white even.  Very nice.

Baseline report:

Handstand against a wall: :55 (could have gone longer. Wasn't close to passing out. Got lazy I guess)

Freestanding: 5 sec. Usually a solid 4, occasionally a 5. 

Walking: 4 'steps'. 

End of Month Goals:

1) 10 sec freestand

2) 2 minute wallstand

3) Do a one handed handstand, against a wall.

4) Walking steps: 8-10? Maybe? More than 4 is the official goal.

Nice goals Comet.  2 minute wallstand?  You're my hero.  Are you trying any handstand presses/pushes?  I didn't put those in my goals, but I'm gonna add that.  I'd like to be able to do at least one of those.

One of the teenagers at our campout last night is a gymnast.  I asked him for the handstand 411.  He gave me a few good tips (and a fabulous demo):

• He said that practicing with your abs against the wall is preferable to the butt against the wall way, as it helps you get the right form. 
• He said pushing through the shoulders and locking the arms right away (on the wall) will help reduce fatigue and the pass-out feeling--totally counter intuitive for me. (If I stand and lock my knees that is a recipe for lights-out.)
• Apparently I need to work on my shoulder mobility.  Shocker.;P  This challenge is going to be good for so many reasons.
• He said squeezing the butt helps.  I said, "That doesn't just happen out of fear of falling?"  Kind of an awkward conversation to be having with a 16yo boy.

Hopefully that will help everyone :)

My shoulder/arm is feeling better, not 100%, but better. I will see how attempting a wall handstand feels this week.

I have a question though, if you put your abs against a wall how do you get in that position? Walk your feet up the wall? When I do the but against wall all I do is do it, not the case if you put abs against the wall right?

Here is a short clip of me, I think this is early 2013?? Can't remember, sorry.

I can do those already. They're called handstand pushups. I can do several 'strict' and a lot of "kipping".  That is just an example. By no means a 'showcase' for them.  

Interesting. I'll have to try that. And yes, walk up into it from the ground.

Yes, the lock out is important and I've been working on that as well. My mobility is cr*p too, I definitely need to work on this if I want to be successful with one-arm.

Oh yes, tight butt, abs, the works!

It would be fun to have you join us, but only if your arm is g2g. You'd be our token male!  I think you get bonus points for that.