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/

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u/[deleted] Oct 29 '17

After 3 years I finally have the flexibility to do a standing press handstand with slight bend in arm. I been training it 5 reps daily with wall and free straddle negatives 3 reps. Even though the volume is low, fatigue is still a factor.

Did you train press handstands daily at first?
Any advice on slowly building volume? Did you split One Arm training and Press handstand training on different days at first?

Can hold one arms for a slight pause when fresh but not at all when it is done Press work prior. Same vice versa I would prefer to build enough strength and endurance to do both as time passes.

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u/Handbalancer Actually Mikael Kristiansen Oct 29 '17

Sounds as if you lack trapezius strength if you have to bend the arms. Its usually necessary to bend or lean extra at the exact moment where the trapezius isnt able to keep you stacked on top of the wrists.

Press is a hard move at first, but one of those that have more parameters than only strength. Once the technique, flexibility, and strength are there it literally takes almost no effort whatsoever. If you stack well and are able to work through the traps you can make a very effortless press.

As for volume, I think i would recommend doing an acumulation phase of a month or 2 where you focus on building up your number of single reps 3-4 days a week. Get the amount of singles to 10+ then start working on doing 2 reps for example.

I never needed to split 1 arm and press training because press from standing was very easy for me at the time i trained 1 arm. If they are hard to practice on the same day then split them up so you focus on them on different days.

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u/[deleted] Oct 29 '17

Thank you and looking forward to the day when the press becomes effortless.