Apologies for the iPhone photos but sometimes you just gotta make do with what you have at the moment! This past weekend I was at the gym and figured out this cool way to practice handstand push-ups and thought I'd share on here. Handstand push-ups are an effective way to build upper body strength so you can feel strong and sturdy in poses like headstand, forearm stand and handstand. Here's how to do it:
1. Take two pull up bands, and make your way to the squat rack. Put the bar shoulder level. Then, put the first pull up band looped around the very top of the squat rack. Loop the second band through the end of that first band and put the ends around your shoulders as shown.
2. Then, turn around and come into a handstand. The bar will protect you from flipping over, but be careful of your form here. Try not to arch the back. You'll also want to the have the arms slightly wider than your normal handstand. This feels awkward but it's better from the elbows when you come down into your push up. From here, look between your thumbs.
3. Slowly lower down and maybe tap your head on the ground (or maybe not - I'm not there yet, full disclosure!). The bands will help you as you push up. I've been doing five sets of five and by the end my arms are on fire. It's fantastic.
Are you practicing your handstand push-ups? Doing anything special we should know about?
Related A 50 minute full yoga class with a focus on upper body strength and arm balances.