Get Ready for Handstands: Shoulder Prep

You can't have a solid handstand if your shoulders aren't stable and strong in an overhead position.

Written by Justin Lind Last updated on Nov 22, 2021

This is the second part of a comprehensive handstand video series that will bring you toward a strong and stable free-standing handstand. Get Ready for Handstands: Wrist Prep dove into readying the wrists. We aimed to get the joint moving freely while preparing it for loading. Part 2 will bring a huge benefit as a stand-alone, but also continues the larger series.

As we continue our full-body preparation from the ground up, we come next to the shoulders. Opening up the shoulder overhead position and strengthening your ability to accept and stabilize an overhead load rounds out the foundation of a solid handstand.

There is no positional issue in a handstand that does not originate at the wrists or shoulders. While these first two weeks might not seem as vital as the fun inverted work to come, they are invaluable for developing a strong handstand. They are the same as form and position work in some of your lifts. No one expects to snatch heavy without working to hone the requisite positions. Handstands are no different.

Check out the video below to learn exercises and drills to:

Increase your scapular (shoulder blade) mobility and control
Strengthen your ability to load your shoulders overhead
Increase your ability to stabilize an overhead load

About Justin Lind

Justin Lind has been an athlete and student his whole life. While hobbies and sports have come and gone, one thing has remained: a commitment to constant improvement of movement quality. Besides an obsession for health and athletics, Justin remains the consummate student and teacher.

Justin has a passion for learning how to glean the most valuable information from many different communities and philosophies. A former mechanical engineer turned coach and writer; he applies his analytical and structural ways of thinking to the world of health, fitness, and athletics.

While training heavily as a competitive Olympic lifter and CrossFit regionals athlete, Justin suffered a back injury that completely shifted his fitness and movement paradigm. He committed to understanding the flip side of intense training: recovery, mobility, and self-care. Justin soon left engineering to focus on creating empowered athletes who are highly in-tune with their bodies.

In addition to a B.S. in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Justin holds certifications in CrossFit Level 1, RKC Level II, and USA Gymnastics.

Justin is currently travelingthe U.S. full-time. He offers remote coaching and workshops for both kettlebells and gymnastics skills at CoachJustinLind.com.

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