Hand width

Should we shoot for a particular hand width for PHS exercises? Shoulder width? Shoulder width plus hand width? 

Good question.

 

Are you referring to press handstands in general?  If so, than I recommend that all press handstand work, HSPU work and free HS work be done with the same width.  Some people prefer shoulder width and others slightly wider than shoulders.  Whichever you personally find most comfortable and productive is fine.  As long as it is consistent.

 

This should apply to your Lsit and straddle L work also.  

 

For example, many people make the mistake of of only doing their straddle L with a very narrow grip and then end up finding out that once their shoulders/traps/free handstands are prepared for stalder press work, their hips are too weak to support the necessary shoulder width grip straddle L required to work stalders!

 

Yes, later when someone is ready for one arm handstand work they will gradually begin transitioning to a narrower grip.  But for most people such a narrowing of the grip is a long way down their handstand development road.

 

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Great, exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!