Isometrics for Better Handstand Positioning

Isometrics for Better Handstand Positioning | Movement Fix Monday

This is part 3 in the 'un-sexy' series on how to improve your positioning using isometrics (see part 1 and part 2 for more isometrics). The full part 3 write-up is here. 

This time we are talking about handstands and focusing specifically on the over-arching of the low back that is extremely common during handstands and overhead lifting.

"Most commonly in a handstand with excessive arching, the thoracolumbar junction get's used and abused. Thoracolumbar is just a fancy way of saying 'where your thoracic spine and lumbar spine meet'."

Developing a quality handstand will have great turn over to other exercises. The ability to achieve full wrist and thoracic spine extension, coupled with shoulder flexion while simultaneously supporting your body, has tremendous transferability to handstand push-ups, handstand walks and Olympic weightlifting. The handstand is what is known as an isometric exercise. Isometric exercises are a great way to build strength while decreasing your chance of injury. Performing an isometric exercise requires activating all of your motor units and at the same time producing a balanced contraction on both sides of the joint so no joint shearing, or increase in inflammation, occurs. Essentially handstands increase strength while reducing the chance of shoulder injury!