PE1 exercises question

Quick questions on the PE1 exercises:

1) They don't seem to provide much challenge. Are they needed to prepare for what follows or should I just test myself and move to PE1 (if appropriate)? Or would I be setting myself up for an injury?

2) What is the meaning of the sets and reps? If I understand correctly there's no mobility after each set for the handstand course, so do I just do a set, rest a few moment, do the second set, etc?

Thanks,

Joss

Hi Joss,

1) PE1 is there really to get you used to being upside down, while providing an intermediate step before a full headstand (PE2). Many people find PE1 easy, but others may be starting the program with a lower base of strength or simply be unaccustomed to any sort of headstand. The general rule, which applies to all steps of H1 is that once you can demonstrate mastery of the PE (or SE) AND demonstrate mastery of the associated iM, you can move on. This means that if you can do both PE1 and PE1 iM to mastery standard, then great, move on to PE2! If you're still struggling with PE1 iM - as I am - then you'll have to stick with PE1 until your mobility improves sufficiently.

2) PE's and iM's are alternated. So you do one set of the PE, then one set of the iM, and repeat. Since this is primarily skill work, you can take rests in between.

Thanks. My question was ambiguous, but I was mostly interested in the wrist / finger exercises (with the exception of FKP/PE1 which isn't easy at all!) They don't come with a mobility component, and the PE1 level seems very easy (but maybe it's doing important prep work to my hand ligaments.)

Ah, I see.

For the wrist exercises the same rule applies, in that once you can demonstrate mastery, you should move on to the next progression. I believe most people perform these as supersets.  That said, they are intended to be progressed independently, so you can move on to the next progression for each as soon as your ready. You are correct - there is no extra mobility component.

It's worth being conservative here  though, since wrists/fingers can be slow to adapt and are easily injured.

KibboKift said:

 

It's worth being conservative here  though, since wrists/fingers can be slow to adapt and are easily injured.

For the wrist work, go ahead and test out of any levels you want to find your starting point.  Then start at the beginning for the last level you tested out of.  So, if PE1 is easy, and you're able to pass PE2 and PE3, start at Week 1 of PE3.  This keeps you from wasting your time on exercises that are too easy, but it also compensates for the increased volume of wrist work you'll be doing.  

Plus, there are only 8 levels of wrist work.  When compared to all the other work you have to do, you'll fly through the wrist elements.  Even if you start them at the very beginning, you'll likely be done with all the wrist elements before you do a single handstand!