Tag Archives | Hand Balancing

Crucial Drill for Freestanding Handstand Pushups

The pike pushup is an indispensable drill for working your way up to freestanding handstand pushups. Not only does it help you build enough shoulder strength for HSPU’s, but it also improves your balance during the descend.

Trampoline Handbook
Trampoline Handbook on Amazon

The major points here are to learn how to pull your shoulders towards the ears in the start position and activate your lats on the way down while pulling elbows towards each other.

Check out Hand Balancing For The Bodyweight Athlete by Global Bodyweight Training if you’d like step-by-step instructions for mastering various hand balancing styles.

 

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Incredible Training Compilation by Daniel Tsinis

Here’s an awesome video compilation of various hand balancing moves from an ex-gymnast who just recently changed the focus of his training to hand balancing. Lots of presses, one arm hand balancing, handstands…

Weather you’re a fan of hand balancing, tumbling, breakdancing or gymnastics in general, I promise you’ll enjoy this video by Daniel Tsinis.

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing
The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing on Amazon

Click here to start your hand balancing training today.

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Walking and Jumping on Hands

Check out this compilation by Nick Hallowell where he shows excellent hand balancing skills.

It’s particularly amusing to see him walking up and down the stairs as well as that clapping handstand pushup. I don’t remember seeing that one before! His handstand style and leg positioning are rather interesting, too.

Trampoline Handbook
Trampoline Handbook on Amazon

One of the best resources for these moves is by far Walking and Jumping On Your Hands by Professor Orlick. Get it here now to learn these awesome moves.

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Old School Hand Balancing

Little John Seidel is one of the best old-school hand balancers. In the video below you can see 24 year-old John jumping on one hand, performing various handstand presses, balancing on a stick and much more, before ending the show with an amazing one hand spin at the Cirque d’Hiver in Paris. They certainly don’t make them like that anymore.

Trampoline Handbook
Trampoline Handbook on Amazon

John is truly an incredible athlete who is still doing handstands today at the age of 76! Don’t believe me? Check out the picture below from his Facebook page.

Click here to master your handstand, step by step!

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Tumbling and Balancing in 1950’s

Here are three awesome videos from the 1950’s. They were all uploaded by Russ Hany, so make sure to check out his channel here as he has more videos from that era.

The first one is from 1950 with people performing a couple of basic tumbling moves like backward, forward and side rolls. There are also two guys walking on their hands.

Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups
Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups on Amazon

The next video from 1952 features pretty impressive acrobalance duo/trio.

And here’s another one with some very cool moves, like the tiger bend, handsprings, rolls, somersaults and much more. From 1953.

Not everyone wants to learn how to perform all these moves. But you should at least have basic tumbling skills and be able to role, perform backwards somersault and cartwheel. Click here and learn the basics!

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Elbow Extension in Relation to Handstands

Here is a great video on elbow extension in relation to hand balancing by Yuri Marmerstein. If you can’t lock out your elbow while in a handstand, this video will give you everything you need to fix this somewhat rare issue. This may not be a big problem in the beginning of your hand balancing training, but once you progress and try to achieve something like the one hand handstand, it might prove to be a bigger issue than you thought initially.

Some people simply have a psychological barrier which prevents them from fully extending their elbows in a handstand. On the other hand, some literally cannot straighten their arms fully, whether due to tension in biceps or some other physical factor. Yuri Marmerstein shows two different workouts you can do at your home to work on this issue gradually in order to fix it permanently.

Also make sure to check out The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing by Professor Paulinetti and Robert Jones, which is a great resource for anyone who’s into hand balancing.

 

Walking and Jumping On Your HandsWalking and Jumping On Your Hands on Amazon
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How to Become a Performer in Cirque Du Soleil

What does it take to become a performer in Cirque Du Soleil?

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing
The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing on Amazon

16×9 crew followed Cirque Du Soleil members for four months in order to show you just how tough their training is and how good you need to be in order to become a part of the most popular theatrical production company in the world.

Even though this video is not entirely focused on subjects relevant to this website, like hand balancing and gymnastics, it’s well worth watching the entire episode. Enjoy!

P.S. If you’re not quite ready to become a part of Cirque Du Soleil, check out these resources and take that first step in the right direction.

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Balancing Compilation

This video contains a number of amazing balancing moves, including one arm handstand, human flag, headstand on a head, hand-to-hand handstand and many extraordinary feats from circus performers.

A video that left the biggest impression on me was the one with a circus guy who went up and down stairs on his hands. What’s your favorite one among those in the video?

In case you want Professor E.M. Orlick to teach you how to learn a one hand handstand, make sure to check it out here. 

Learn How to Back Flip in 31 Days
Learn How to Back Flip in 31 Days on Amazon
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How to Hold a Handstand Longer

When it comes to holding a handstand, there are many factors to consider. Here you can see the most important ones explained by a very skilled guy named Chris Silcox.

To start practicing, do a handstand against the wall and slowly take one leg off at a time while finding a balance. When you find your “sweet spot”, pay particular attention to your fingers which pretty much act as feet while you are upside down. Much like toes, fingers are engaging and releasing in order to keep us in balance. Another good tip is to learn to manipulate your shoulders and elbows to prevent going off balance.

You may also want to start the other way around, with your face facing the wall without arching your back. Try to get your fingers as close as possible to the wall and start balancing. Go for one leg at a time like before and make sure to use your fingers to prevent falling to the other side. You can also move your shoulders to the wall to avoid the same problem. If you don’t have a spotter, the best way to come out of this position is to walk your feet down slowly.

Have fun!

P.S. Check out Hand Balancing Made Easy for all information you’ll need to learn how to balance on your hands.

Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups
Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups on Amazon
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Handstand Evolution

An interesting video by Dave Durante where he explains his take on a proper handstand form.

Dave begins the handstand with slightly bent arms and knees bent at 90 degrees, which should represent the worst handstand form.

Instead, the feet should be together with arms and knees locked out, which really is a classic curved handstand. It’s worth mentioning that Dave consider this form to be less stable than a straight handstand, which is debatable and depends on other factors. To go from the curved to the straight handstand, press your toes up, open up the shoulders and find your “sweet spot” for balancing.

Hand Balancing Made EasyHandBalancingMadeEasy_on_Amazon

Going from the first handstand position, to the curved handstand and finally to the straight handstand does require a lot of practice, so it’s definitely not for beginners.

If you are looking for a way to perform your first handstand as fast as possible, check this out.

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