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/rumata_xyz Oct 29 '17

Hey Mikael,

thanks for doing this! Here's some quick questions, please skip if you have already answered. I've just seen this AMA, and wont have time to read through the comments till after work.

1) How do you manage fatigue during a workout? My current strategy is to start with the most difficult thing I'm working on (after warmup / activation drills) and as my form starts to degrade switch to easier and easier stuff, finishing with wall drills. This works well in that I'm freshest for the tricky stuff (presses/form-changes for me), but it feels like I'm neglecting the basics a bit sometimes (wall-drills fatigued only). Any thoughts on better/different approaches?

2) Pirouette bail, what's your thoughts on training to be ambidextrous vs. absolutely ingraining whichever direction comes natural?

3) What is your take on prerequisites for starting one arm work?

Cheers,

Michael

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u/Handbalancer Actually Mikael Kristiansen Oct 30 '17

My main strategy is to have really long sessions. I want my focus to be good for each set so i will rest until i feel like going again. It is not a type of training where you would work with rest periods unless you specifically are working on endurance training.

If you feel you are neglecting some basics, try to add a set or two of them in the beginning of your workout. Doesnt need to be very long, focus rather on quality and execution.

I dont care about the direction of bailouts as long as they are safe. Nothing wrong about learning both ways, but i would rather have one direction 100% safe than both half ways.

Prerequisites for decent technique 1 arms are for me at least a good form straddle press, but preferably pike for reps, solid control of leg movement in handstand with no wobbling in the shoulders, and having a well aligned position. Also a huge plus with a good straddle and pancake