HSPU Eludes Me

Guys, I need some advice on my handstand and HSPU training. I have been training the Free Handstand Hold along with other pressing exercises for a couple of years now on and off, and I have what I believe is a pretty solid HS hold. I do some holds at different depths as well. I have been dabbling in the HS Wall Run, and negative against the wall lately, but a true full range HSPU has been eluding me for some time. I am about 6'1'' with long arms and am a decent presser, but even stronger puller. Today, I worked negatives against the wall (w/ back to wall) in clusters of 4 (do one negative, jump right back up and do another, repeat, etc), and the negatives seem to be coming easier, but I am having trouble pressing out of the range of motion when my head gets closer to the ground. Sometimes I will even see how close I am to getting a free HSPU and it is about the same as the wall. Does anyone have any advice on HSPU training given where I am at right now? Thanks.

How is your dipping ability?

Dips help HSPUs?

I guess I should start working on my dips.

Blairbob said:

How is your dipping ability?

Excellent question. I am not sure as I do not work on these. If they will help, I will definitely add them into my program. I do not own any rings, but I could hit some outdoor exercise equipment at a park that has parallel bars. What types of dips (weighted, unweighted, ring, etc...) would be best to concentrate on?

Quick q myself.

Should I start training HeSPU's facing the wall? I got to the point where I can consistently do 3x4 of (about one hand length) elevated, but lately my form has been, for lack of a better word, lousy.

I figure I should go back to when I can do them perfectly straight, but I was also curious if I should do them facing the wall, since that'd be closer to how you are without assistance.

I prefer stomach2wall vs back2wall. Generally better form.

It's been said before, pushup>dip>hspu by coach. Once trying dip variations have been mastered, one could move on to hspu variations. Something like that.

Tried doing a couple of floor depth HeSPU's with my toes on the wall. Really awkward position. Could I do the same sort of thing simply training freestanding (in which case I'd do it straddle. For some reason that's easier)?

Also, would training the shoulderstand like slizzardman suggested help?

Blairbob said:

I prefer stomach2wall vs back2wall. Generally better form.

It's been said before, pushup>dip>hspu by coach. Once trying dip variations have been mastered, one could move on to hspu variations. Something like that.

Thanks Blairbob, I have been working push-up variations. I will work dip training into my regimen and let you know how it goes in my Free HSPU (and HSPU in general) quest. Indy.

http://startingstrength.com/articles/st ... _starr.pdf

if you check out this article around page 4 he strongly recommends dips as an accesory exercise to building the overhead press.