Handstand holds against a wall are one of ob-gyn and NASM-certified personal trainer Brittany Robles's favorite isometric exercises. She told POPSUGAR she's a fan of these because they're "great at developing shoulder and tricep strength." Here are nine moves for learning how to do a complete handstand, but Dr. Robles said you can also practice holding yourself up in a piked push-up position with your feet on the floor or elevated on a surface.
- Place your hands approximately six inches away from the edge of a wall.
- Kick your feet up, press the top of your head against the wall, and move your legs away from the wall. This will get your body in the correct alignment with your hips and shoulders stacked.
- Squeeze your legs together, and keep your core engaged.
- If you can't hold your legs away from the wall, use the wall as support with your back and lower body against it (you'll have to move closer to the wall with your hands).
- Dr. Robles suggests holding a handstand for 15 seconds. As you get stronger, increase the amount of time you hold your handstand.
