Handstand Pushups And Exercises

Handstand pushups are one of those things you imagine a marine doing in his barracks. Truth is, any able-bodied person can do them, it just takes practice.

If you have never done a handstand before, or would like a better understanding on how to do them, see my article on how to do a handstand before continuing.

Handstand pushups aren't the only thing you can do while in the handstand position. There are several variations to it and ways to go to a more advance level. Yes, it can get harder. People have done handstands on just a few fingertips.

These exercises go from beginner to advance. If you can do a handstand but can't do a full handstand pushup, then focus on doing partial push ups and wall-walking.

When doing any of the push ups, use a stack of books to gage where you're at. As you go down each time, the top of the stack is your marker you're trying to reach to each time. If it seems too easy, you take a book off, until you can reach the floor.

When you can do 10 push ups, with your head touching the floor, it's time for you to use two chairs, or other sturdy objects to do a handstand on. This will allow you to come down below the floor plane, or where your hands are at. Again, use a stack of books as a marker, so you don't over or under do it.

Kick-Off

1. Get into a sprinter's stance, facing the wall, with one leg forward and one leg back.
2. Swing the back leg up and then push off the front leg.
3. This should get you up into a handstand. Hold for a couple seconds and then drop you legs back down.
4. Repeat 10 times

Handstand Hold

When you got the kick-off mastered, practice holding the handstand for time. Shoot for a minute. Try to push into the ground, contracting your muscles.

Wall Walking

This is a great exercise to help you build your upper body strength and to gradually get better at holding a handstand. If you don't know how to do a handstand well, this is a good one to practice.

1. Get into a push-up position with your feet on the wall.
2. Start climbing the wall with your feet and at the same time, push up with your hands, placing them closer to the wall each time.
3. You will eventually bring yourself into a handstand, face and chest near the wall.
4. Reverse the process, walking back out until you get back into the push up position.
5. Repeat 10 times.

Partial Handstand Pushups

In the handstand position, bend your arms and lower your head towards the floor with control. Push back up at the lowest point. Place a stack of books to the point where you can go the lowest. When it becomes easy, take a book off.

Full Handstand Pushups

In the handstand position, bend your arms and lower your head all the way to the ground and push back up.

Walk On Hands

When you're doing a handstand, try to walk away from the wall and then walk back, using your hands, of course. Have a friend hold your legs at first until you get better at it.

Handstand Pushup On Chairs

Get two chairs or stools, put them next to the wall where your hands would be, place your hands on them, and then kick up into a handstand. Do a handstand pushup but try to go below the plane of your hands, or below where the floor would be.

Use a stack of books again here to mark your goal level.

Make sure the chairs/stools won't slip.