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Original poster

Cam you do a handstand?

76 replies

Allnewtometoo · 08/12/2024 19:32

Ds is trying, he's 7. I'd love to demonstrate but probably haven't done one for over 30 years I'm 47 and too fat.

Can you do one? Would you try?

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 08/12/2024 20:58

I’m 40, can still handstand and cartwheel.
my handstands don’t stay up as long as they used to anymore but I can still hold them in a good position - it’s my party trick 😂

Marblesbackagain · 08/12/2024 22:23

Those saying they couldn't ever, did you not learn at school?

I grew up in Ireland we all learnt gymnastics, well to be fair bits of gymnastics.

The horse, beam and some very simple floor work. We all could cartwheel and do a semi decent headstand.

Bjorkdidit · 08/12/2024 22:28

Not on dry land (I can do them in water as well as tumble turns as I'm a fairly decent swimmer) but I never could when I was a child as I was totally hopeless at primary school gymnastics. I don't think I got any of the badges.

I assume that to be able to do a handstand you need excellent arm strength to hold up your own body weight?

There's probably videos on you tube that can explain to him how to do them.

Stretchedresources · 09/12/2024 07:36

Oh, to clarify. I can't do a freestanding handstand. Just against the wall.
Never been able to freestand one, which is annoying as I think my core is fairly strong.

Anoisagusaris · 09/12/2024 07:50

Marblesbackagain · 08/12/2024 22:23

Those saying they couldn't ever, did you not learn at school?

I grew up in Ireland we all learnt gymnastics, well to be fair bits of gymnastics.

The horse, beam and some very simple floor work. We all could cartwheel and do a semi decent headstand.

I’m Irish and never learnt gymnastics in either my all girls primary or secondary schools, beyond basic tumbles and the horse.

Bjorkdidit · 09/12/2024 07:59

We did gymnastics at school. But it doesn't mean I was any good at it or progressed beyond forward rolls. I think I remember 'nearly' doing a cartwheel once, likely similar for hand stands.

Radamanth · 09/12/2024 08:04

Ya! 50 and can do handstand, headstand, one arm press-up!!

Strength is important.

UndeniablyGenX · 09/12/2024 08:06

No, never could, not even when I was a small child. I have very flexible joints and poor balance, a combination which lends itself poorly to handstands.

MassiveSalad22 · 09/12/2024 08:07

Never have as as a child was too embarrassed to even try, and if I succeeded, to show my fat legs. But it’s my life goal!

teatoast8 · 09/12/2024 08:08

Hell no

OldTinHat · 09/12/2024 08:08

I've never been able to do a handstand. Or the crab.

I can still do a rolypoly though and I'm 53. But it hurts my back a lot 😆

BraveBlueDuck · 09/12/2024 08:08

I'll give it a go and let you know

Clearinguptheclutter · 09/12/2024 08:10

Definitely not and I’m pretty fit
46 and never been able to

Marblesbackagain · 09/12/2024 08:14

Anoisagusaris · 09/12/2024 07:50

I’m Irish and never learnt gymnastics in either my all girls primary or secondary schools, beyond basic tumbles and the horse.

Show quote history

That interesting, I was wondering was it school dependent or area, e.g. if there was a big gymnastics centre. There was a huge one near enough to us, so all schools within the area seemed to do some form of it.

It would be good to see as much flexibility training in any format to take place in schools. Seemingly it's as important as cardio when it comes to our 50+ health.

I love how my children did yoga from early years and still do it pretty much daily in secondary. Lots of accessible options for everyone would be great to see.

SirChenjins · 09/12/2024 08:23

Marblesbackagain · 08/12/2024 22:23

Those saying they couldn't ever, did you not learn at school?

I grew up in Ireland we all learnt gymnastics, well to be fair bits of gymnastics.

The horse, beam and some very simple floor work. We all could cartwheel and do a semi decent headstand.

No - I went to primary school in Kent in the 70s. No gymnastics as part of our PE. Handstands and cartwheels was something we did in the playground - I could do a three quarters handstand and a sort of cartwheel, nothing more.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 09/12/2024 08:27

I'm fat and fifty-one. I can't hold the hand stand, but can get up. My cartwheel's not great now. But I can still do an AMAZING headstand.

ChaosHol1 · 09/12/2024 08:29

Yeah I found out in the summer I can still do handstands, cartwheels, round offs and a crab after my nine year old niece asked me to but my god my back was agony for a couple of days after, I'm 39.

BigDahliaFan · 09/12/2024 08:33

As a kid could handstand, headstand, walk on my hands, everything except the splits.

I could with a wall behind me now, mid 50s.

NeonGreenHighlighter · 09/12/2024 08:39

Yes but only assistance with a wall 😜

Original poster
Allnewtometoo · 09/12/2024 15:49

I'm going to add it to my "before 50" goals.

OP posts:
Radamanth · 09/12/2024 16:17

I did a lot of sport as a yoot.

I do think that muscle memory is a thing.

Do pilates and calisthenics now, it's all about the resistance! I do think if you've always been muscley it's easier to be more muscley. I do about 10 minutes a day and I'm very strong and agile at 50. My body feels hard!

EBearhug · 09/12/2024 18:09

52 - handstand against the wall yes. Haven't really tried unsupported. (I can in water.)

Haven't tried a cartwheel in years.

magimedi · 09/12/2024 18:54

Only in the water.

That picture will out me!!

Edited to say age 65 when that photo was taken!

Cam you do a handstand?
SnapdragonToadflax · 09/12/2024 18:55

Christ no, but I could barely as a child. Maybe for a couple of seconds.

I used to be brilliant at cartwheels. Can't do them at all anymore, it feels like my wrists are too weak.

PigglyWigglyOhYeah · 09/12/2024 18:57

No, but sometimes I get quietly drunk and will chance a forward roll on the livingroom carpet when everyone has gone to bed.