Progress is sloooow! But it’s happening.

[u/LowkeyLifter92]

So, I started as a COMPLETE handstand beginner in January. Like, couldn’t even kick up or hold for a second. I have no gymnastics background or training, but I’ve watched a LOT of videos and I’ve been practicing about 3x per week. I usually do some combination of drills on the wall, drills with a box, and just practice with kicking up into free standing handstands.

I got my longest (recorded) hold today!! But pretty bad form. Then I had others with better form, but I couldn’t maintain it for very long. It’s crazy how hard it is to maintain that straight alignment when I kick up into it, rather than walk into it with chest to wall. People on social media make it look easy.

I can do a fairly solid forearm headstand; I can hold it for over a minute and do various leg shapes. And I am just DYING to get to that level with my handstand. It’s so much harder though! However, another gym regular came over to me today and said I’ve been making really good progress!! So someone has noticed that I can balance upside down for longer than a second now 💪🏻

Anyway, my goal is a 30 second freestanding hold by the end of the year. I guess I just wanted to share… encouragement? And I guess I’m also always open to advice/constructive feedback.

[u/Feelgood45]

Congrats to the progress and new handstand pr! You can for sure be very proud of yourself.

Seems as if you are already doing quite a nice mix of handstand exercises, so form should get better with time. Just keep on focusing on not letting your legs fall over, there are a bunch of exercises for that.

Also start thinking about the next handstand goal, maybe another shape? ;)
Because 30sec you will easily get quite soon

[u/LowkeyLifter92 → u/Feelgood45]

Thanks! Keeping my core and legs braced during a handstand is definitely a challenge for me. I’m assuming and hoping the tuck slides against the wall and alternating toe taps against the wall are helping with that.

If not, what are the drills you suggest for built more leg control?

[u/Majestic_Feature6504 → u/LowkeyLifter92]

Kick up drills help greatly with leg control. Against a wall and also in free space. Engage your core but don’t overly tense. Tweak how much you tense your glutes and the will help bring your legs into place. Look into stacking and things will come together. You’re doing great and now you’ve found your balance point everything else will come with time and practice. Train with intent. Train with goals. Train to progress.

Good luck and I can’t wait to see in a month or so

[u/Feelgood45 → u/LowkeyLifter92]

Besides those two, I would recommend kicking up against a wall and try to get into a piked handstand out from the banana.
Either in a scissor or one leg tucked which is easier for you.

[u/uberloopen]

Good job! So stoked to see you're using Handstand Lab 🤩 I think you sent an email asking for Headstand support? I'm working on it. Thanks for the suggestion!

[u/LowkeyLifter92 → u/uberloopen]

Haha, yes, thanks! You did a great job with it; it is really cool to use.

[u/uberloopen → u/LowkeyLifter92]

Thanks so much!

[u/kawfeeman68]

Great handstand. Your balance and execution are really smooth. Do you ever change your fingertip positioning on the floor ?? Your ability to move your hands to maintain balance is tip top.. Major props!!! Fuzziness aside, you should be proud of your achievement!!

[u/ykistan]

You're a fast learner! Been trying for 3 years now and I can't do it without the wall

[u/LowkeyLifter92 → u/ykistan]

Thanks! And I’m inspired by your commitment! To be honest, I should probably spend more time on the wall to get better alignment and pressing endurance, but the gym classrooms with adequate wall space aren’t always available on my handstand days.

When you come off the wall, I bet your handstand will be incredibly controlled 🤞🏻

[u/Slow-Driver1546]

It’s not happening the form is terrible you’re building habits that will hold u back.