Tag Archives | Endurance

Boxing: A Pinnacle of Conditioning

By Jon Magno on August 16, 2017 in Other Skills, Uncategorized

Boxing.

One of the oldest sports and forms of combat in the world. The earliest known evidence of it comes from a Sumerian relief form the 3rd Millenium BCE. Boxing can be found all over the ancient world. Its honestly still a thriving form of exercise, sport, and combat.

So, why am I talking about Boxing? It’s one of my favorite pastimes. But even if you don’t want to “fight”, its one of the best ways to get your body in shape and gain some internalized strength.

Lets take a look at some of the benefits:

You can burn around 700-1500 calories in an hour and that isn’t a bad thing.
You get a great metabolic workout and steady state depending on what you’re focusing on.
You run through multiple movement patterns.
You build skills while testing your brain with a variety of mental exercises.
Finally, its a form of stress relief because you get to hit something.

So what does this add up to in the end?

It basically is another excellent choice for you to get active and I get to include you on a piece of my life outside of movement and handstands.

If you are interested in what boxing looks like or want to see me actually spar, check out the video below!

Stay Inverted and let me know if you want to learn more about boxing!

-Jonathan Magno

PS If you’re looking for another way to get into shape, check out The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Conditioning!

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Impressive Moves by Simon Ata

By admin on October 14, 2014 in Acrobatics, Bboy, Flexibility & Contortion, Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, Handstands, Planche, Presses & Pushup

Breakdancers, especially professional one have to be in an absolutely stunning form to be able to perform flawlessly and stay injury-free. For this they rely on incredible strength, speed, precision and endurance.

We already had one video from Simon “Simonster” Ata from Australia, but this one includes a couple of break-dance moves as well. Get ready for planche pushups (and what a great form too!), backflips, handstand presses and much more.

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing

Grab your Tumbling and Acrobatics Starter Package today and with some practice you’ll be able to impress others while moving your body in amazing ways too!

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Awesome Moves on Bars

By admin on June 20, 2014 in Bars, Other Skills

It’s amazing how creative you can be with training on low bars.

Sven and Alex showed a variety of workouts in this video, including a good lead-up drill for those trying to achieve their first pull-up (at 0:17), push-ups on a bar (0:34), assisted pistols followed by pistols on a bar (2:20) and many other exercises, most of which require great strength, balance skills and endurance.

They say they only do regular and weighted Calisthenics, without weightlifting.

If you are just starting with bodyweight training, you might want to check out my Beginner’s Handstand System and gain some strength before moving to advanced bodyweight training workouts.

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Making Progress and Questions

By admin on July 26, 2010 in Handstands

This one came in today.

Hey Logan, I’ve only been trying to do a handstand for just under a week and with your website i am already able to hold a handstand for more than 10 seconds! (seems like forever to me) I’m going to keep on trying and maybe ill be able to do more advanced moves soon. thanks a bunch -Ryan

Excellent progress Ryan. Keep going and keep me updated on your progress.

And from a couple days ago from Samuel…

hello logan:

i have very good news!. i am practicing but is just that i’m kind of lazy for returning e-mails and leave comments on your web.. but i am getting better… i saw the video that you sent me the ”quick-start” it was GREAT!!.. i loved the video.. and i practice with the first four skills that you mentioned

1.wall handstand: this one i can do it perfectly and even more than a minute
2. frogstand: i can do it.. but is difficult to hold the position for a minute.. i wish you could give me some help with this
3.headstand: is difficult even doing it on the wall.. the head hurts me a lot every time i do this one.. i can’t even last 10 seconds
4. forearmstand: this one i’m doing it well.. on the wall.. but when i try to do it off the wall.. it results to be very difficult.. i can’t hold it even for 5 seconds

wish you could help me with these problems … and is very good to know that you care

I’ll start off by saying it’s hard for me to comment without more details but I’ll give it a go.

1. Great job on the handstand.

2. How far along you coming? If you’re hitting a time you can’t get past after you get there go to your feet for a second or two then get right back in the frogstand. Do this a couple times and it’ll build you endurance.

Another key point is to really work the fingertip and wrist control. Focus on that.

3. Are you doing it on a hard floor? Whatever the case, get more cushions. Put enough padding so that it doesn’t hurt. Overtime as you get use to it you’ll be able to minimize the padding you need.

4. The forearm stand can be tricky. You can try doing it with the one toe touch method I teach for the handstand except using the wall in this move. That should help.

That should help you to get started.

Alright, I’m off to practice some more myself.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Earlier today I was working with a new tool that’s fun and helpful. I’ll have more details on that in a week or two.

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Gymnastic Handstand

By admin on January 8, 2010 in Flexibility & Contortion, Handstands

The gymnastic handstand or straight handstand is a more difficult move then the natural or curved handstand. For that reason I believe a beginner should work on the curved handstand first and once they become proficient at that then they can move onto the straight handstand.

Working on the straight handstand will take a good bit of dedication as you must learn to maintain a straight body while upside-down, something that certainly doesn’t come natural. As with any move its best to learn it in the easiest possible way first. For that reason we go to the wall.

Gymnastic Handstand

When working on the gymnastic handstand it is better to face the wall with your body rather then have your back to it. This makes it easier to get into the straight body position. You can cartwheel into position or walk your feet up the wall.

Once you are in the handstand get your hands as close to the wall as possible. Stick your head through your arms. This alone will help your back to stop curving. While keeping the arms locked push through with your chest to open up the shoulders. If this is difficult you may need to work on shoulder flexibility.

Another key part is the lower body. You want to maintain what is known in gymnastics as a hollow body position. That is you tuck your pelvis in. Think as if you were trying to reach your tail bone to your navel and shorten that distance. You may need to practice this position while not in a handstand if it is unfamiliar to you.

Once you have a good position hold for time against the wall. Work up to 2 minutes for multiple sets. If you can do this you have good endurance not just to hold the handstand but to keep your position while you do it. At that point the gymnastic handstand should feel natural to you.

The next step is to transition to freestanding. Instead of just kicking up out in the open start in the straight handstand against the wall and come off a little bit to find your balance. But that will have to be an article for another time…

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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Building Handstand Strength

By admin on August 7, 2009 in Handstands

A great way to end any training is to work on your strength and endurance a bit. And in this instance I’m talking specifically about in the handstand.

Just kick-up against the wall and see how long you can hold it.

Not only does this help you train the position it will build strength for holding the handstand with or without the wall.

If you can do one minute you are getting somewhere.

If you can do two minutes you are doing awesome.

Anything beyond that and you may want to switch to one arm handstand holds. This will increase the resistance to build even more strength and endurance.

Wherever you’re at, every time you do this exercise again just try to add one second of time. If you fight for it, it won’t be difficult to do at all.

Whether you are doing a conventional type of workout or are just practicing your hand balancing this can be a great way to finish it off.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Holding a handstand against the wall and balancing in the open are tow very different things. If you need help on the second check out the Secrets of the Handstand Quick Start DVD.

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Handstand Hold for Time

By admin on October 3, 2007 in Handstands

Here is a great way to finish off your workouts whether you are doing just hand balancing or anything else by doing a handstand hold.

Its really simple, too.

Just kick up into a handstand against the wall and hold it there for as long as you can. Try to stretch your toes upward and maintain good posture the whole time.

If you want you can even do a couple sets.

This is great because it will build your endurance in your arms, shoulders, back, everywhere.

As you steadily increase the amount of time you can hold a handstand you will find you get less fatigued when you practice your hand balancing.

It will test your mental toughness too. You can always stay up one more second if you really wanted to. A great way to finish off your training is to leave it all behind.

Good Luck and Good Handbalancing,

Logan Christopher

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