Handstand Help and Tips – Best CrossFit Cherry Hill

Handstand Help and Tips – Best CrossFit Cherry Hill

Handstands. Gymnastics are an important part of our CrossFit training, and one of the most pivotal gymnastic positions is the handstand. For most, it is also one of the hardest! Check out these 4 simple steps to master the handstand today!

#1 – LEARNING THE PROPER POSITION

handstand help crossfit cherry hill

With your feet together, grab a bumper plate and hold it overhead. This position will replicate the position you will eventually be in when you are upside down. Become familiar and get comfortable with this position. Be sure to keep your midline tight, not allowing hyperextension, and your arms fully extended with your head through your shoulders. Notice, you can see the athlete’s ears from a profile view. This is a good way to ensure your head is in the proper position.

#2 – HALF WALL WALK

Handstand help CrossFit

Now it’s time to get upside down…..almost. Start by doing half of a wall walk. Lay on the floor in the bottom of a push up with your feet against the wall. Gradually press your body up and begin walking your feet up the wall until you are about half way to being completely upside down. Next, walk your hands as far forward as possible without moving your feet. This will force you to open your shoulder and press down into the floor, further mimicking the handstand position by activating the shoulders and not allowing a bent elbow. Be sure to keep your belly tight and squeeze your glutes!

#3 – FULL WALL WALK

CrossFit Handstand tips

Once you are comfortable enough, it’s time to walk all the way up the wall! ALWAYS start so that you are facing the wall once upside down. This will reinforce the tight midline that you practiced earlier and will prevent you from arching your back. Your goal is to be as close to the wall as possible, with nothing but your feet actually touching the wall.

#4 – FREE STANDING HANDSTAND

CrossFit Handstand Tips

Finally, just as in step #3, you can attempt another full wall walk, but this time you will gently pull your feet off the wall to achieve a free-standing handstand! Be sure to grab a buddy to help guide you to and from the wall.

Practice these four easy steps and you’ll be hand-standing (if that’s a real word) in no time!