Tag: Handstand Push-up

Recovery Will Be Fun

While working out yesterday we decided not to go to the track after feeling beat up from Friday. Good call, because I woke up sore! In the garage at 10am for a “recovery” type workout.

Warm-up

  • 20 PVC Passes
  • 80′ Lateral Monster Walks
  • 80′ Monster Walks
  • 6 Goblet Squats (53#)

Conditioning

40:00 EMOM

  • 25/25m Suitcase Carry (70# KB)
  • 12 Burpees
  • 10 HSPU
  • 40s Jump Rope / Lateral Hops
  • 12 Goblet Squats (53# KB)

Was happy to get every set of handstand push-ups done unbroken. Alternated between the jump rope and lateral hops each round. Worked up quite a sweat with the humidity from overnight rain.

Midline

3 Rounds

  • 12/12 Partner Banded Rotations (blue)
  • 12/12 DB Side Plank Bounces (35#)
  • 12 OH Crunches (50# DBs, 2s pause)
  • 12 Jack Knives (20# DB + 5# ankle weights)

We hadn’t used the ankle weights in awhile. Adding a weight to the side plank bounces is tough!

More Gym Changes

Over the long weekend here’s the gym work I did:

Worked out at 4pm today.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 SkiErg (697m)
  • Dead Hang

Tris & Bis

3 Sets

  • 12 EZ Bar Curls (66#)
  • 12 Tricep Push Downs (spinning bar, 71#)

3 Sets

  • 12 Seated EZ Bar OH Tricep Extensions (71#)
  • 24 alt Hammer Curls (40# DBs)

3 Sets

  • 12 Static DB Curls (25-25-30# DBs)
  • 12 Tricep Pull Downs (rope, 60#)

3 Sets

  • 10 Reverse Grip EZ Bar Curls (56-61-66#)
  • 10 Plate Hammer Curls (10#)

I had a huge bicep pump going by the end of this. I’m feeling stronger with everything. I did start doing a second protein shake each day about two weeks ago.

Conditioning

  • 6:00 AMRAP
    • 4 Strict Pull-ups
    • 8 Pistols
    • 12 Russian Twists (45# plate)
  • 2:00 Rest
  • 6:00 AMRAP
    • 4 Strict HSPU
    • 8 T2B
    • 12 Plyo Lunges

These went much better than expected. Should have warmed up the legs and hips for the pistols though. After round one I pretty much did 2-2 on the pull-ups. Got through 6+3. Everything was unbroken in the second AMRAP and felt really good. Finished exactly seven rounds.

Team, Solo, Team


I walked 18 holes yesterday and I’m a bit tired today since I was up late working on some wiring stuff around the house. Legs are a little tight from Wednesday. Out in garage at 4pm.

Warm-up

  • 5:00 BikeErg (2,247m)
  • 80′ Lateral Monster Walk
  • 80′ Monster Walk
  • 15 Monster Squats
  • 10 Hang Power Cleans (45#)
  • 10 Shoulder Presses (45#)

Conditioning

  • 14:00 AMRAP w/ Partner
    • 30 Hang C&J (95/65#)
    • 20 HSPU
    • 15/10 cal SkiErg
  • 5:00 Rest
  • 7:00 AMRAP
    • 15 Burpees
    • 15 Deadlifts (135/95#)
  • 5:00 Rest
  • 14:00 AMRAP w/ Partner
    • 15/10 cal Row
    • 20 Hand Release Push-ups
    • 30 DB Hang C&J (35/20# DBs)

I went first. We went alternated each doing eight and then seven clean and jerks. Back and forth doing sets of five handstand push-ups. On the SkiErg I probably averaged 1,050-1,100 cal/hr. We got through 3+26.

In the solo workout I went out conservative and really focused on my deadlifts, trying to brace my low core for each one. My back started to get tight in round one, but I kept at it and picked up the pace over the second half of the workout. I split my deads up 8-7 every time. Got exactly four rounds. I went in to the low back reset position on the ground for a few minutes before the final AMRAP just to be safe.

Brandi started, so I got a little extra rest. We split the HR push-ups down the middle and stuck to the same 8-7 routine for the clean and jerks. I mostly did my clean right in to shoulder press to try to speed them up. Sprinkled in a push press here and there. For the first two rounds I pulled about a 1,600 cal/hr average. Then I knew I had to really push the last two rows if I wanted to finish a 4th one, so I went all out over 2,200. We got it in and B was able to get 5 push-ups for a score of 4+30.

Midline

3 Rounds

  • 50m DB Front Rack Carry (50# DBs)
  • 14 Landmine Twists (70#, club grip)
  • 8/8 Hip Abducted Evil Wheels

Decided to throw out 30 Russian KBS that were supposed to be at the end of this. I put enough stress on my back already. Play it safe! Those landmine twists are a great movement!

Stacked Shrugs

Yesterday I had the day off work and I really needed it after a busy weekend working on projects and yard work. I walked 18 holes of golf. It was rough sleeping for the first two nights without air conditioning in my bedroom, but I slept good last night and the nights are supposed to be cooler for the next week. Out in the garage at 4 today.

Arms & Shoulders

3 Sets

  • Bicep Curl 21s (30# DBs)

5 Set Drop Set

  • 8 DB Curls (35# DBs)
  • 4 Drop Sets

I did 12-10-10-16 reps with the 30-25-20-15 respectively. Massive pump!

3 Sets

  • 12 Incline Hammer Curls (25-30-30# DBs)

These were done with our chest on the inclined bench. Is that incline or decline?

3 Sets

  • 12 Dumbbell Skull Crushers (30# DBs)

3 Sets

  • 12 Double Dumbbell Bent Over Tricep Kickbacks (25# DBs)

3 Sets

  • 12 Bent Arm Lateral Raises (25# DBs)
  • 12 DB Shrugs (50-75-75# DBs)

Had to stack a 50 and a 25 pound dumbbell on top of each other to get up to 75 pounds.

Conditioning

5 Rounds

  • 35 Double Unders
  • 200m Run

Got this from the Bodyweight category of Beyond the Whiteboard Fitness Level workouts because running and double unders were both movements I wanted to hit in metcons this week. I could tell the runs were going to have to be pushed in this one, so I picked it to challenge myself. Really happy with a time of 6:21, with one DU miss at 21 in the final set. This ranks in the 93rd percentile on BTWB, which is good for me considering it was basically all about the running.

Gymnastics

6:00 EMOM

  • Strict HSPU

I set out to get 10 each minute, knowing that was probably too high. I made 10 unbroken for two rounds, then 5-5. I was blown and not able to recover after three minutes. Went 4-2 for only six reps each minute the rest of the way.

Quality Sleep

Got a good night of sleep in my own bed! I feel good after working out every day for over a week. In the garage at 10am.

Accessory

  • 15-12-9-6-3 Strict HSPU
  • 15-12-9-6-3 Strict Pull-up
  • 20-16-12-8-4 Push-up
  • 20-16-12-8-4 Banded Row (step on band)
  • 20-16-12-8-4 V-ups
  • 20-16-12-8-4 Banded Tricep Push Downs
  • 20-16-12-8-4 Banded Curls
  • 30-24-18-12-6 Band Pull Aparts
  • 30-24-18-12-6 Russian Twists

I got the idea from TeamRICHEY and modified it to suit two people. It was an I Go You Go style workout with Brandi. I went 9-6, 7-5, 9, 6, 3 on the handstand push-ups. The new mat is a lot nicer than using a plate and AbMat. The pull-ups gassed quick. Went 9-6, 5-4-3, 5-4, 6, 3 on those. The only other movement I had to take any kind of break was with the rows. I went first on the first five movements and then we swapped and Brandi went first the rest of the way. I used a blue band for everything

Midline

4 Sets

  • 10/10 Banded Partner Rotations/Holds (blue)
  • 14 OH Crunches w/ pause (50# DBs)
  • 20/20s Weighted Side Planks (20# DB)
  • 16 Jack Knives (20# DB)

Downhill Recovery

Was a little tired this morning and my back was tight, but WHOOP said my recovery was only 23%!

I honestly don’t feel that bad. Some days it seems to take the heart rate at a weird time that just throws off the formulas, because it said my resting heart rate was 48, which is much higher than my typical 38-40. Out in the garage at 3:30 today for a session that took 2 hours.

Warm-up

  • 5:00 Airdyne (103 cals, 2.55km)
  • 3:00 SkiErg (656m)
  • 2×15 Steamboats
  • 2 HSPU
  • 5 DB Hang Squat Cleans (25#)
  • 2 Burpee Pull-ups
  • 2 DB Hang Squat Cleans (40#)

Conditioning

12:00 AMRAP Partner

  • 6/6 HSPU
  • 5/5 Burpee Pull-ups
  • 6/6 Box Jumps (24/20″)
  • 5/5 DB Hang Squat Cleans (40/25# DBs)

This was a new idea for a partner workout where the sets are small, so by the time you move to your next spot it’s almost your turn again. The way this one works is each partner does 6 handstand push-ups (one person working at a time), then each does 5 burpee pull-ups, etc. Brandi scaled back her HSPU to do Rx and eventually went to some DB push presses. It worked out pretty well, with the burpee pull-ups taking the most time by far. I originally was going to do 15 minutes, but pulled back to 12 today. Would have been fine with three more minutes. This would be a good one to try solo as well. I started, we got through five rounds and I got all of my burpee pull-ups done in the sixth.

Strength

Bench Press

  • 10×45#
  • 8×125
  • 5×165
  • 5×195
  • 5×215
  • 5×225

Could have went more, but that was good enough for today with a lot of work left.

Accessory

3 Sets

  • 12 DB Chest Fly (35#)
  • 12 Underhand Front Raise (15# DBs)

3 Sets

  • 12/12 Static Bicep Curls (25-30-30# DBs)
  • 12 Standing DB French Press (50# DB)

2 Sets

  • 12 Hammer Curls (30# DBs)
  • 12/12 One Arm OH Tricep Extension (25-20# DB)

1 Set

  • 12 Hammer Curls (30# DBs)
  • 12/12 Tricep Kickbacks (25# DB)

The single arm overhead tricep extensions were really bugging my left shoulder so I did kickbacks for the third set.

Midline

3 Sets

  • 10 Jack Knives (20# DB + 5# ankle weights)
  • 10 Renegade Rows (50# DBs)
  • 20 alt V-ups (5# ankle weights)
  • 10/10 Partner Banded Rotations/Holds (blue)

We should really do more of those renegade rows on back day. I feel like they isolate the back muscles better than a Kroc row, which are easy to rotate and cheat on.

Not Going Faster in this Repeater

My upper body was pretty sore yesterday and my upper back definitely still is. My hands just ached this morning. Yesterday was the last day of my four day weekend and I walked 18 holes of golf. Worked on the new office a little in the morning and then for a few hours after I got home. It was a busy four days and my weight was under 193 this morning, so I need to build back up to the 195-198 zone. Today we worked out at 4pm.

Warm-up

  • 5:00 SkiErg (1,113m)
  • 5:00 BikeErg (2,510m)
  • 160′ Lateral Monster Walks
  • 160′ Monster Walks
  • 8 Kossack Squats

Strength

E4M – 4 Sets

  • 1:30 Banded March (green, 30# MB, 1x bear hug, 3x front rack)
  • 16 Goblet Kossack Squats (40# DB in front rack)

4 Sets

  • 10/10 Landmine Curtsy Lunges (1@115, 3@125#)
  • 10/10/10 Three Position Calf Raises (40# DBs, out-neutral-in)

These were both good supersets!

Conditioning

15-12-9

  • Over the Box Jumps (24″)
  • Strict HSPU

5:00 Rest & Repeat

I was hoping to get through in three sets and I did the first time by doing 6-5-4, 5-4-3, 4-3-2 to finish in 5:19. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sustain that a second time so during the rest I came up with a four set plan. I went 4-4-4-3, 3-3-3-3, 3-2-2-2 and I was on the brink of failure a lot. Finished in 6:17. Just not a #repeater workout you’re going to get faster on after the first cycle through. Happy with the way that turned out though.

Midline

3 Sets

  • 20 Jack Knife DB Pullover (25#)
  • 12/12 Plank w/ Tricep Kickback (20#)
  • 24 alt DB Leg Drops (25#)
  • 12/12 Banded Partner Rotations/Holds (2x red, 1x blue)

Some new stuff that was rough. Those banded rotations/holds are still the worst movement though.

Heat is Draining

Was up early with some work stuff on my mind, so I got out of bed and spent an hour writing it up at a little after 5am. I need to get my sleep back on track because it hasn’t been very good the last 2-3 weeks. I’m either waking up way too early, going to bed later than I had been, or both. This heat is tiring too. Out in the garage at 4pm.

Warm-up

  • 10:00 Bike Erg (5,092m)
  • Steamboats
  • 10 Deadlifts (45#)
  • 5 Deadlifts (95#)

Conditioning

10:00 AMRAP

  • 10 HSPU
  • 10 Deadlift (155/105#)
  • 10 Pull-up

In round two I started going 5-5 on the deadlifts just to be safe with my back. In round three of the handstand push-ups I switched to 5-5. Pull-ups were all unbroken. Finished 5+27.

Accessory

3 Sets

  • 10 DB Bench Press
  • 6/6 Single Arm DB Bench Press w/ OH Hold
  • 10 DB Bench Press

These were tough. I used 40-40-45#.

3 Sets

  • 10 Supinated DB Front Raises (15#)
  • 10 DB Chest Fly (30#)

3 Sets

  • 10 DB Shoulder Press (40#)
  • 50m Double DB OH Carry (40#)

3 Sets

  • 12 Standing OH DB Tricep Extensions (50#)

I was close to failure on these. Upper body was dead after all that.

A Decade of Use

My legs are tired and my hands ache. Out in the garage at 10am.

Warm-up

  • 10:00 Airdyne (192 cals, 4.94 km)
  • 160′ Lateral Monster Walks
  • 160′ Monster Walks

Strength

5 Sets

  • 8 Front Squats
  • 16 Kossack Squats

I used 45-95-115-115-115# for the front squats and unweighted Kossacks. Keeping it light to go easy on my back, especially after so much sandbag work yesterday.

Conditioning

10:00 AMRAP

  • 12 Goblet Curtsy Lunges (35#)
  • 8 Burpees
  • 6/6 Reverse Lunge Step-ups (24”, 35#)
  • 8 HSPU

Took a couple rounds to get the hang of the reverse lunge step-up. Got it from Ibex and you lunge and step up with the same leg. The opposite knee drives up over the box and you hold the weight on the same side as that knee drive. Produces a lot of quad burn. I messed up and did 8/8 on the first round of reverse lunge step-ups. 😦

This was a good little workout, but could be bumped up to a 6-8 rounder with slightly heavier weight. I was able to turn up the pace in the second half of the workout and finished with 3+31 (was stepping up on that final rep of the movement.

Midline

4 Rounds

  • 30s Handstand Hold
  • 15s Rest
  • 30s alt Weighted V-ups (25# DB)
  • 15s Rest
  • 30s OH Side Bends (25# DB)
  • 15s Rest
  • 30s Hollow Hold
  • 15s Rest

I got 12-14-14-16 on the V-ups and 18 each time on the bends. I was worried about the long hollow holds, but did them all unbroken.

After lunch I sold my adjustable dumbbells, since I no longer have a use for them. Got $350 and I had paid $300 new about a decade ago. The market for fitness equipment is wild right now!

Single Linda

I can feel my hamstrings and ass a bit from yesterday. Out in the garage at 4pm.

Warm-up

  • 5:00 SkiErg (1,094m)
  • 20 PVC Passes
  • Steamboats
  • Deadlift (right)
  • Deadlift (left)
  • Floor Press (right)
  • Floor Press (left)
  • Hang Squat Clean (right)
  • Hang Squat Clean (left)

The lifts were done after the handstand push-ups test, using with a 35# dumbbell.

Gymnastics Test

MAX HSPU

My old PR was 23, done three years ago. Was feeling good and got 30!!

Conditioning

Single DB Linda (50/35#)
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

  • Deadlift (right)
  • Deadlift (left)
  • Floor Press (right)
  • Floor Press (left)
  • Hang Squat Clean (right)
  • Hang Squat Clean (left)

Got this one from @ibex_training. I had just written my own version of DB Linda the night before they posted this. Mine was doing 20-18-16… so same number of overall reps, but with two dumbbells. My version would have been horrible!

I was a little worried about so much bending forward with my back so I kind of took it easy on the first few rounds of squat cleans. I took a short break between sides on the cleans through 8 or 7 and then switched arms to go unbroken the rest of the way. Once you get through 8 you’re basically halfway done with all the reps and can turn on the gas the rest of the way without even resting between the cleans and deadlifts. I finished in 14:19. That was a fun one! Will be interesting to retest it later in the year, trying to go unbroken all the way.

Strength / Gymnastics

5 Sets

  • 10 Lateral Raises (behind back, 10# plates)
  • 20 Shoulder Taps
  • 30s HS Hold

I did the first set facing away from the wall and then wall walked up for the other four sets. It’s so much easier to stay in a good position, keep balance, and get my hand to actually touch my shoulder when facing the wall! This was a good little combo.