Developing Range of Motion in Your Overhead Position + Straight Arm Pressing Strength + Stability & Beyond: The Ultimate Guide
Whether you’re working to achieve greater ROM + strength + stability or looking to master your press to handstand, it is all a journey of building through consistency!
Whether you’re a seasoned gymnast, a dedicated yogi, or someone looking to elevate your bodyweight training game…
Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite training variations to help you conquer this impressive skill.
One of the most effective drills I program is something I call the Seat Sliding Pike Press Drill, performed using the seat of the rower.
And honestly, it’s probably the most fun you’ll ever have using the rower! (Just kidding… but not really.)
Keep reading to discover valuable coaching cues, training tips, and how my remote coaching program can take your handstand skills to the next level!
Who Can Benefit from Press to Handstand Training?
The press to handstand is not just for elite gymnasts or advanced hand balancers.
It’s a skill that can benefit a wide range of athletes and fitness enthusiasts,
including:
- Yogis and Flexibility Enthusiasts: If you practice yoga and are looking to build more upper body strength and core control, this training is a perfect challenge. Developing a strong, solid press will allow you to transition between poses more fluidly and confidently.
- Bodyweight Training Aficionados: For those who love calisthenics or bodyweight exercises, the press to handstand adds an exciting element of balance and precision to your workouts. It’s a true test of strength, flexibility, and control.
- CrossFit Athletes: CrossFit often emphasizes functional strength, and pressing to a handstand is a fantastic way to increase range of motion throughout the shoulder as well as also increase strength, stability, core control, wrist mobility, enhance overall body awareness, and so much more.
- Dancers and Acrobats: Building the strength and control needed for a press can help dancers and acrobats add dynamic handstand elements to their routines with grace and power.
If any of these resonate with you, you’re in the right place!
And remember, learning complex skills like this requires guidance and accountability.
My remote coaching program is designed to help you progress with personalized training plans, video feedback, and weekly coaching cues to keep you on track.
Coaching cues:
- Maintain straight arms
- Stack your shoulder over your elbow and wrist
- Block away from the floor
- Set your hips in line with your shoulders with your feet elevated and toenail down pressed into the rower seat
- Squeeze your heels together
- Pull the seat forward while pressing through your palms and fingertips stacking your hips over your shoulders and wrists
- Lower back to your start position in your high plank slow and controlled
- Keep your legs engaged and straight
This movement can be added into your warm up, skill work, superset into a strength piece, or even added in as a conditioning piece!
Check out the full drill variation demo video:
How My Remote Coaching Program Can Help You
If you’re feeling inspired to master the straddle press to handstand but don’t know where to start, or if you’ve tried training on your own without success, I’m here to help.
My remote coaching program offers a comprehensive approach to skill development:
- Individually Designed Programming: Your workouts are tailored to your current abilities and goals. We’ll work together to ensure each drill and movement is progressing you toward your straddle press to handstand.
- Weekly Coaching Cues and Video Feedback: Stay accountable and improve faster with regular feedback and adjustments.
- Movement Demo Videos: Never feel lost. You’ll have access to clear and detailed videos demonstrating each drill, including the Seat Sliding Press Drill, to guide your training.
- Support and Accountability: With direct email and SMS support, plus monthly consults, you’ll have everything you need to stay motivated and on track.
Are you ready to make your handstand dreams a reality?
Join my remote coaching program today, and let’s get stronger together!
