Elbow/forearm Planche

[Brian Li]

How difficult is this planche variation? Which muscles are used here? I tried to do this on floor, but couldn't so I think it's probably a lot harder than a normal planche. I'm not sure if you are required to grip a bar with your hands in order to do it. 

 

The skill is at 5:43 in the following video:

I don't know Russian so I'm not sure how to work up to one.

[Christoph Pahl]

His centre of mass is behind his elbows, so it clearly doesn't work on a floor only. Still it could be easier than a planche.

[Jean-Rene Losier]

I'm kinda wondering if this could even be done on the floor. The fact that he's grabbing the bars in both variations shows that he's using a pulling force to be able to keep his balance instead of using his shoulders. I think the only way to even be able to get into the position on the floor would be from a forearm handstand position...

[Brian Li]

Ok so I tried it again and can do a sloppy straddle one with legs bent. I was doing it on the floor without grabbing anything so I'm not sure if it's easier to do when grabbing bars. For this, the shoulders aren't worked as hard as in a normal planche, but I feel it in my lats much more. I can also lift/press into a forearm handstand from it too. I wonder if it's possible to do this in full lay.

[Brian Li]

Do you guys think the leverage is lower here due to shorter arms? I don't think the shoulders are working harder than in a normal planche though, maybe it has to do with applying force with the whole forearms and because of bent arms? Have any of you guys tried it yet?