Exercise library / Shoulders

Handstand Push-Ups

Main muscles
Shoulders
Also works
Triceps
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Expert
Type
Compound · Push

How to do it

  1. With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
  2. Kick yourself up against the wall with your arms straight. Your body should be upside down with the arms and legs fully extended. Keep your whole body as straight as possible. Tip: If doing this for the first time, have a spotter help you. Also, make sure that you keep facing the wall with your head, rather than looking down.
  3. Slowly lower yourself to the ground as you inhale until your head almost touches the floor. Tip: It is of utmost importance that you come down slow in order to avoid head injury.
  4. Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Quick answers

What muscles does the Handstand Push-Ups work?
Mainly the shoulders, with help from the triceps.
What equipment do I need?
Nothing but your bodyweight.
Is it good for beginners?
It is rated expert level, so learn simpler versions first.
How do I track progress on it?
Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.

More shoulders exercises

Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.