Why You're WRONG About HANDSTAND PUSH-UPS (It's Easier Than You Think)

Why You’re Wrong About Handstand Push-Ups (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Just because it’s one of the most iconic bodyweight exercises that everyone admires and it might seem impossible at first doesn’t mean it’s that hard.

You’ll be surprised to find out that, with the right steps, it’s quite simple to build up to it.

Just like in weight training where we perform specific movement patterns and gradually add weights to the bar to get stronger, the same approach can be applied to bodyweight training.

But, in this case, it’s important to have a better understanding of body movements and biomechanics.

In bodyweight training, the exercises that lead to your goal are called progressions, and with these, you can progress from a complete beginner level to achieving your goal.

In this video, we’ll focus on these progressions, go through them quickly, and you’ll see how easy it is to get started and build strength with them, just like with basic push-ups.

If you want to learn more about handstand push-ups, the technique, and how to do them correctly and injury-free, stay tuned until the end of the video, where you’ll find a more detailed guide.

If this is the first time you’re seeing my video about this topic, I’d like to highlight that before you attempt this exercise, it’s important to prepare your joints.

Since this is a pushing exercise, proper preparation of your wrists, elbows, shoulders, and core is essential. I’ve made separate videos about these, which you can find on my channel.

Additionally, having basic pushing strength is crucial. If you’re already comfortable with push-ups and dips at a basic level, performing handstand push-ups won’t be much harder in terms of strength.

You can start building the strength needed for handstand push-ups through progressions while practicing the free-standing handstand, which helps improve balance.

Even if you don’t want to do them in a free-standing handstand, you can perform the exercise safely and more quickly against a wall.

Let’s not waste more time—let’s look at the step-by-step progressions from the simplest move to the target exercise.

[sidneycarthell]

Preparing the nervous system and joints on the wall is a revelation. I'm not young anymore so my warm up is crucial. Thank you for this video

[BNSHEE]

So good. I’m gonna take this approach after I recover from my injury from trying this wrong. I pulled something in my ribs. Surprisingly painful and debilitating.

[kvickart]

i was just having a long discussion with a friend at the gym about ways to go about handstand pushups yesterday, good timing!

[sushiboi]

thanks for the tips man, you are the best

[dayytube]

Simply love the progressions furthermore, its looks simple but does require a ton of practice like learning any new movement also learnt that, Listen and Silent are the same letters.

[Matt]

It looks like I skipped quite a few potential progressions from elevated Pike push-up to handstand push-up facing the wall. That would explain some of the difficulties I have with keeping my core tight throughout the movement. I'll give some of these progressions a go to try to improve.

[perotal]

Adam what do you recommend for the distance between hands and feet on the pike pushup, since it makes a big difference on the intensity?

[pablorestrepo]

My traps and neck hurt when holding my arms overhead. How can I fix this?

[chrishabgood]

Should you go down at an angle and not straight down?

[billsherrington]

I can do 4 sets of 10 reps against the wall ok but getting to the next step of freestanding handstand press-ups is another thing altogether…