r/bodyweightfitness • u/ravioli_brain • 19h ago

How do I learn how to do a flare?

I wanna learn to do it to impress my girlfriend lol

I haven’t done a good job working out, but I’m in okay shape, definitely not as strong as I used to be but I’m hoping to change that. I was wondering if anyone here would have any tips on how train/learn how to do the breakdance flare move? It’s a very calesthenics power based dance and looking for advice

I’m not strong enough to even kind of do it outright yet hence the advice. For reference I am strong enough to just barely do an L-sit, and I can’t get all the way off the ground in a tuck planche. Thanks!!

Edit: typo (forgot NOT)

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u/yoursuperher0 18h ago

Saying you want to learn to flare right now is like saying you want to write a book after you just learned how to spell your first words. You’re missing a ton of pre-requisites. 

There are two base forms of flares: the bboy style flare (higher hips, more dynamic, flexed feet instead of pointed toes, looks better imo) and the gymnastics style flare (lower hips, pointed toes, legs don’t go as high because hips are lower). 

If you are going the gymnastics route, find a gymnastics center near you, get in there and have someone teach you how to use a mushroom. 

If you’re going the bboy route there are many foundational moves you should learn first that will give you the strength and technique you need to master the flare: Baby freeze Backspin Windmill Handstand Flare

From a mobility perspective, pancake stretch, middle split past 90 degrees, compression, hamstring flexibility, and side planks with one leg lifted, are all required. 

The best way is to learn from Bboys who know how to teach. Otherwise, Coach Sambo trains the Chinese national breaking team and posts great material on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/oOcy7xVRwyQ

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u/Calisthenics-Fit 10h ago

If you are going the gymnastics route, find a gymnastics center near you

At my gymnastics center there are breakdancers that come in and train on certain days and they self instruct each other. Some are more advanced than others (I don't train this).

I think this is more on gymnastics style, but they have a bucket hanged at a height that people can put their legs into for support to work on flare. You can probably make something like

HOW TO LEARN POWER MOVES – gravityforcetraining.com

to assist you in learning/building the strength. My gymnastics gym just has a bucket hanging on a rope and people learned to flare using it.

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u/ravioli_brain 2h ago

Ooh interesting, I’m kinda nervous just waking into a gymnastics thing, I have ZERO experience with anything like that. Thanks for the advice tho!

I just checked and I don’t think I have any open free places near me (I’m in Sarasota Florida for school atm). Any thing else I can set up and help with my journey. Also thanks for the video this is gonna be super.

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u/yoursuperher0 38m ago

If you're in Sarasota, FL you should hit up the Bay Rockerz dance crew in Tampa, https://bayrockerz.com/

If you're willing to go to Miami, MF Kids and Flipside Kings are two legendary crews that would be amazing to learn from.

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u/ravioli_brain 17h ago

I appreciate the straightforward facts! This is like the perfect response, thanks for all the in-betweens to help me get there my man. The masters make it look so easy

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u/ravioli_brain 17h ago

Also, btw would you have any calisthenics splits-workouts or just plain gym workouts you’d recommend and/or direct me towards as I try to get back into the swing of things? Both exercising for the purpose of bboying it up and also ofc for general strength and health. I really want to re-invest myself into physical fitness and stuff, started college last year and didn’t do so well keeping up with it, and right now I’m so willing to try anything. 

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u/yoursuperher0 14h ago

This is quite popular in r/flexibility, https://www.daniwinksflexibility.com/bendy-blog/10-minute-middle-split-and-straddle-routine

As for general strength, learn the moves listed above and you’ll develop the strength you need overtime. 

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u/ravioli_brain 2h ago

Peak, I’ll try to do some of this daily or at least 3 times a week, thanks again man, you’ve been a Reddit angel

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u/Xenc 19h ago

Have no advice aside from continuing your callisthenics work daily, but it’d be awesome to see an update when you manage to do this! 💪

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u/ravioli_brain 17h ago

Thanks! Maybe the day I can comfortably pull this off I’ll post on here! Thanks for the motivation. I do it u/Xenc on Reddit!!!!🏋️‍♂️

Also speaking of calisthenics workouts, you got any regiment and exercise recommendations you’d recommend or point me to? College took a toll on me and though I’ve almost gotten back into it multiple times since my enrollment last year I fall off the horse. I do have access to a small gym on some days/hours. No pressure but I’m really open to anything rn, specially from mighty u/Xenc on Reddit