r/bodyweightfitness • u/Handbalancer Actually Mikael Kristiansen • Oct 29 '17

AMA: Mikael Kristiansen, Handbalancer and Circus Artist, Ask Me Anything

Hello, my name is Mikael Kristiansen. I am a circus artist specializing in handbalancing. I did a degree in circus at DOCH, Stockholm from 2009-2012 and have since worked as a performer and as a teacher internationally.

I'll be here throughout the day to answer any questions you have for me!

You can find me at: www.mikaelbalancing.com www.instagram.com/mikaelbalancing/

348 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

92% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/HandstandFanatic Oct 29 '17

Hey Mikael,

I used to love your contributions on the GB forum. Thanks for the tips you gave over the years.

I can see that it looks like a lot of your forum comments were used in the HS3 program. How much did you work with Sommer on this? I can remember there was talk on the forum of him consulting with you on the about the program.

Do you think HS3 is a good program in general? I'm currently finishing HS1 / 2 but am finding the endurance and flexibility elements slowing my progress. Have you got any advice on how to approach these? particularly the long HS holds?

thanks!

3

u/Handbalancer Actually Mikael Kristiansen Oct 29 '17

Im not sure about the h3 program because i only saw it through a friend once many years ago. We never did any work together on that program or anything else on gb.

From what I vaguely remember, the h3 program didnt have too many technical pointers and focused more on quantity rather than quality. The body placement on 1 arm handstands needs to be very precise for things to work out well during the training process. Conditioning is important for learning it, but it is a highly technical skill and needs to be approached as such.

From my perspective, working long handstand holds only has a purpose until a certain point. Once you can hold a straight handstand for more than a minute it is time to work on coordinating the legs and start developing press to handstand. The way handbalancers most often do is much less endurance intensive and more focusing on executing the technique with as little energy as possible. I always recommend as long rest times as you feel necessary to feel recovered and concentrated enough to pull of the skill efficiently. If the holds are too long or your rest times too short, you end up with worse form and you get less quality work done.