Q&A for How to Hold a Handstand

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  • Question
    Are handstands dangerous?
    Rosalind Lutsky
    Former Gymnastics Coach
    Rosalind Lutsky worked as a gymnastics coach at SB Gymnastics at Stanford University, coaching children from ages 5-12 years old during her time as a Stanford student. She was a competitive gymnast growing up, and competed for her local gymnastics team in Minnesota.
    Former Gymnastics Coach
    Expert Answer
    They can be. Good form is more important than doing the handstand unassisted. It can be really helpful to practice your handstand up against a wall to get the form down. Or, have a spotter support some of your weight and hold your legs together as you’re learning the skill.
  • Question
    How can I perfect my backbend kickover?
    Community Answer
    First you should make sure your backbend is perfected. Once you have the backbend down, try doing a backbend facing a wall. Once you're in the backbend position, use the wall to push your feet off to complete your kickover. Keep practicing this way until you no longer need the wall.
  • Question
    Every time I do a flip, I land on my bum. How do I land on my feet?
    Community Answer
    Bring your legs closer to your body. That way, you may fall, but your legs will be there to break the fall.
  • Question
    I still can't do a handstand for longer than two seconds. What should I do now?
    Community Answer
    Try strength training exercises (particularly those that will develop your core and upper body, for stability) and practice against the wall. Ask someone to act as a spotter to make sure you are doing it correctly, as well as for safety.
  • Question
    Whenever I try to do a handstand I keep falling down, but I'm already in a straight handstand?
    Hannaheart
    Community Answer
    The problem may be that you don't have a firm hold. Try to squeeze your core and keep your legs together. Practice your stand against a wall if you need to. Be sure to lean your upper body--not your legs--on the wall.
  • Question
    How do I get over my fear of falling on my back bend?
    Community Answer
    Ask someone to spot you and make sure your back is bent properly. Also, try doing a back bend and let your feet touch a raised surface, which secures your fears.
  • Question
    How do I get up into a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Start in donkey kick, but kick all the way up. It might help to do this against a wall for the first few times, or at least until you feel comfortable without.
  • Question
    How do I hold a split handstand?
    Community Answer
    Practice doing a split and practice doing a handstand. Then, when you are comfortable in a handstand position, slowly lower your legs into a split position.
  • Question
    How do you prevent going back in to a bridge?
    Community Answer
    Do not arch your back, and make sure you're straight with your feet in the air and when you come down one leg at a time.
  • Question
    How can I learn a back handspring without a trampoline?
    Community Answer
    If you can do a back walkover then start by doing a back walkover and snapping your legs together. You could also talk to a coach or do private lessons to get professional advice about your backhand springs.
  • Question
    When holding a handstand, should I breath in through my nose and then out through my mouth?
    Community Answer
    You should breath in and out through your mouth. This is because you are closer to the ground while doing a handstand, and you don't want to breath in any dust through your nose.
  • Question
    How can I gain more confidence so that I am not afraid to do a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Practice with a spotter and in a space with mats for protection.
  • Question
    Is it okay to breathe through my mouth?
    Community Answer
    It is actually better to breathe through your mouth because you are closer to the ground, and you might breathe dust into your nose if you nose-breathe.
  • Question
    How do I get over my fears of going back into the backhand spring?
    Community Answer
    Start by doing it on a trampoline if you have one, then you will get the movement and all you have to do is let someone spot you.
  • Question
    How do I get over my fears of going into the back handspring? I do have a trampoline, but I fear going backwards.
    Kkk1123
    Community Answer
    Put a bunch of pillows or mats in a tower, then lean back. You will feel the pillows there and feel safer. Eventually start to take the pillows off one by one.
  • Question
    Can I lose some weight if I am doing a lot of handstands?
    Community Answer
    Probably! Try doing a handstand by a wall and go into a handstand push-up. If you can't do this by yourself, get a trustworthy spotter to hold your legs until you get the hang of it.
  • Question
    I get scared when doing handstands against the wall. How do I get overcome my fear to hold the handstand longer?
    Community Answer
    Lay pillows in front of you so you know that if you fall forward, you will land on something soft. This should give you more confidence, and the wall will help with any other direction.
  • Question
    I keep falling over. How can I stop that?
    Community Answer
    Try to do it against a wall until you feel more confident.
  • Question
    I'm a scared of falling back in my handstand - what shall I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to do it against a wall - then you can't fall backwards.
  • Question
    Can overweight people do this?
    Community Answer
    Yes, absolutely. Just make sure you are very straight and keep your arms lined up with your ears. This may take a little while to get it perfect, but just keep trying!
  • Question
    How do I bring my legs from being in a normal handstand to a split without falling?
    Community Answer
    After entering the handstand, make sure you are pretty balanced before you try to split. Once you're balanced, slowly and evenly split. You might have to arch your back a little to keep your split even, but make sure you never release your core. Don't let your good leg drop too far or you will become unbalanced.
  • Question
    I keep leaning side to side while doing my handstand. How do I stay straight?
    Community Answer
    If you put your arms farther apart and squeeze them, you will most likely not fall sideways.
  • Question
    I can do a fine handstand, but I can't hold it longer than two seconds! What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Do the handstand against the wall for support until you can balance better.
  • Question
    How do I practice my back tuck at home?
    Community Answer
    You should use some type of mat or use lots of pillows. Make sure you can do it at a gym before practicing at home, and get someone to spot you.
  • Question
    How can I hold a handstand longer?
    Community Answer
    You can split your legs open to balance on both sides. Make sure you're not arching your back, because that will make you tilt to the side.
  • Question
    How can I hold a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
  • Question
    What can I do help me do a cartwheel on my left side?
    Community Answer
    I would start with a left foot handstand. This will get you used to pushing up with your left side. When you feel ready, have a friend spot you.
  • Question
    I can do a back handspring on a mat, but I don't have one. How will I practice?
    Community Answer
    Practice on carpet first for safety until you can nail it every time.
  • Question
    How can I kick my feet up all the way in a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Try to do handstands against a wall. This will help you know how much you've got to kick to get a straight handstand. When you kick up, try to not bring up the second leg until the first leg has reached the straight handstand position. Otherwise your handstand will not be straight and this can also make it harder for your body to improve your handstand.
  • Question
    How can I become more consistent with my handstands?
    Community Answer
    Practice a lot and try maintaining good posture during your handstand. Also get a spotter to help you keep a good form. If you do not have a spotter, then try to use a wall to help with your strength, or a piece of furniture.
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