Extra HS Exercises?

I'm wondering if there are things you can do besides handstands that would help improve them. Or, modified HS that make it easier/harder.

I heard something about slanted blocks to put less strain on the wrist, so I'd like to know about that at least.

Also, what are some good prehab exercises for wrists? I was working one arm HS and my left wrist hurts after practice, so I'd love to avoid hurting that

I had an idea a long time ago that would help arm strength and sensitivity... By loading a sheet of plywood with a few weights and then holding it overhead. That is technically "handbalancing" after all

I got that from one day one arm snatching an olympic bar for fun... It was hard to keep still at the top, it would constantly fall to one side. Then my weightlifting teacher looked mad and told me not to do that (it's dangerous, don't you know!), and haven't done it since. I don't own an o-bar

Oh, I forgot. I never go to the HS sub-forum, so I forgot it existed.

Can someone move this over there please?

How long can you hold a regular handstand and how is your body line?

There's lots of stuff you could do like that which would help I guess; military presses, just holding dumbells or barbells over your head. But if your goal is to improve your handstands then thats just a waste of time. Holding things above your head is very different from holding your bodyweight on your hands. Nothings going to make your handstand stronger more efficiently than just doing handstands, and if you want to add in some variety and build more than just that basic support strength do handstand pushups and Handstand Presses.

Edit: Handstand Wall Runs are great for building up shoulder extension and endurance as well.

For wrist pre-hab and conditioning start religiously doing coach sommer's wrist series as a warm up before you do handstands, it'll do wonders for your wrists. Coach goes into a bit of depth conserning some of these exercises in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=61

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Never tested for time... some of them seem to go on forever until my shoulders get tired.

Body line... I don't know. I kick into the worst handstand you will ever see, then once I gain my balance, I just move into a mostly straight line. I probably curve a little, I know I'm not 100% straight most of the time. Basically this picture with less of an arched back, but slightly slanted legs: http://www.illya.net/englishTOP/handstand.jpg

I'm going to work on getting a completely straight one over the summer. (school ends in 3 days)

I've seen that video but for some reason I've just never tried it... I'll check it out right now.

Marlon said:

Holding things above your head is very different from holding your bodyweight on your hands.

Posture-wise holding things above my head feels quite the same as holding an handstand. At least I usually try to get in the same posture when holding things (people in acrobalance ;-)) above my head