Saturday, October 27, 2012

Hokuto Shinken's Handstand and Finger Training

The first real training scene we see for Kenshiro has him balancing upside down on just two finger of one hand. While that is not a lot of training for us to look at, just the process of getting to that level of skill and strength is far more training than many people will ever do in their entire lives. The progression is pain-staking and it is uncertain whether or not the average person can ever attain such a feat or if it is merely relegated to the realm of monsters like Kenshiro, Shaolin Monks, or Vass- The Super Saiyan. In any case, if you put the work in, you'll definitely get stronger. How much so is between you and your genetics. Don't worry, if you fail, I don't think you'll explode.

Hokuto Shinken's Handstand and Finger Training 

LEVEL ONE:

  • GOAL: Continuous handstand for 1 Minute
  • Practice Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. Try to keep working the entire 15 minutes. 
LEVEL TWO:
  • GOAL: Continuous fingertip handstand for 1 Minute
  • Practice Handstands on fingertips for 15 Minutes or complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you are unable to stay up on your fingers during the handstand, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.
LEVEL THREE:
  • GOAL: Continuous One-Arm Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
  • Practice One-Arm Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you feel like you are unable to stay up very long on one arm, continue practice using fingertip handstands. If your fingers get tired, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.
LEVEL FOUR:
  • GOAL: Continuous One-Arm Fingertip Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
  • Practice One-Arm Fingertip Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you feel like you are unable to stay up on the fingertips of one hand for very long, continue practice using one-arm handstands. Make sure to train both sides. If your strength starts to fail, continue practice with fingertip handstands. If your fingers start to get tired, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.
LEVEL FIVE:
  • GOAL: Continuous Two-Finger Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
  • Practice One-Arm Fingertip Handstands for 15 Minutes, removing fingers as you are able, until you are using only your index and middle finger on one hand to support yourself. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. Utilize the previous method to continue practicing as you get tired. 

See? Doesn't look hard at all!


Notes:

  • This is a long term workout. It will take years to get the strength and balance for you to be able to complete this feat. Do not train this every day. At the very most, train it three times per week and that's if you've been training for a while. 
  • I would recommend practicing on a non-slip surface, but preferably not one that is super hard and definitely not a slick surface. 
  • You're going to feel this in your hands, your chest, your shoulders, your back and your entire midsection. You may even feel it in your legs, as you get used to balancing. 
  • This will not be easy. It will take a large amount of work and a great deal of time. 

Today's workout is a fun one! Until next time, good luck and train hard!



3 comments:

robisntdrunk said...

Is this with or without a wall?

ad98 said...

Nice workout I tried it today it's a change from what I usually do.
I know I gave a heap of requests a couple of days ago but I think these would be easier all from Ippo
Hayami,Mashiba,Kimura's title training or Volg (he uses the Hien now so wrist exercises could be a part of his training now)

The Anime Trainer said...

@rob It's without the wall. You'll actually build the balance that way. You are welcome to sub-out for handstands against a wall sometimes, if you want to build your arm strength up, but in order to advance to the next phase, you need to do it without the wall.

@ad98 Glad you enjoyed the workout. And I always appreciate requests!!

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