ActiveWorkoutsFive reasons you should add handstands into your workoutsFrom developing full-body strength to boosting your confidence, an expert shares why you should add this playground activity into your trainingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsFive reasons you should add handstands into your workoutsFrom developing full-body strength to boosting your confidence, an expert shares why you should add this playground activity into your trainingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
From developing full-body strength to boosting your confidence, an expert shares why you should add this playground activity into your training
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Looking to switch up your training regime, why not throw some handstands into the mix? They may be something you associate with your younger days back in the playground, but handstands are actually an excellent full-body exercise that require no equipment to master, or at the very least, a wall.
They’re a staple in gymnast and CrossFitter’s training regimes and now more and more people are giving them a go, while the hashtag ‘handstand’ has gathered over 19 million views alone on TikTok. Fancy giving them a go? We spoke to Gymnastics Strength Skills Specialist and Personal Trainer,Douglas Ross, who gave us the lowdown on the benefits of adding this old school activity into your workouts.
1. They’re fun
How many times when you were younger did you do a handstand without a smile on your face? Rarely (unless you’d fallen over and kneed yourself in the nose). “Not to mention, a handstand is something that looks impressive and with the right amount of work it’s a very achievable target for most people to aim for,” says Douglas. “Plus, it’s pretty easy to slot into your training programme as it requires minimal equipment to learn!”
If you’re therefore looking to add some variety to your workouts, handstands could be perfect, especially as they have a ton of physical benefits, bringing us onto point two…
2. They develop full-body strength
Forget apair of dumbbellsto build full-body strength, just do handstands. “A handstand requires a great deal of upper body strength, especially in the shoulders, triceps and upper back musculature,” says Douglas. “Not only this, but it also works the core to create a stacked position and you also need to squeeze your glutes and quads to help create tension, making it a full-body exercise.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
3. You’ll have endless exercise variation
“The great thing about the handstand is that there are loads of progressions and exercises to develop the strength required to master it,” says Douglas. These can include things like wall walks or hollow holds. But, once you’ve mastered the handstand, Douglas says the learning doesn’t stop there. “Once you reach your goal, there’s plenty of ways to make it harder such as handstand push ups or handstands walking!” These are very advanced exercises that are popular in CrossFit, so we definitely recommend nailing your handstand firstbefore even attempting these.
4. They improve body control and awareness
Forget doing endless crunches to work your abs, if there’s one exercise that’s going to help you develop superior core strength, it’s handstands. “There’s a lot going on when you’re balancing on your hands, as your whole body needs to work as one unit to help you find that balance point,” explains Douglas. Handstands engage all your abdominal muscles, the lower back and hip flexors, all of which make up our core and are integral to its strength.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
5. It will boost your confidence
If you ever needed proof that cassette players are back, this is itWe Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
We Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
