Straddle, Pike and Stalder Press to Handstand
The Press program is designed to teach you the necessary strength, flexibility and coordination to achieve the straddle and pike press to handstand (basic), as well as the Stalder press to handstand (advanced). Because of the tremendous flexibility component of this skill, we have included a large pike and pancake flexibility section in this program. We teach the Press to handstand using a technique that allows you to develop all the necessary components for this skill at the same time, combining low pressing, high pressing and compression/flexibility work.
What You Get
The Press program is essentially separated into two parts; standing pressing and low pressing. The standing press takes you from a standing position to a handstand through either a straddle or a pike, while the low press goes from an L-sit or a straddle L-sit to standing, and then further to handstand. Additionally, this program includes a full pancake and pike flexibility section. All three components come together in our extensive programming section, which will allow you to self-assess and plan your training according to your level.
What You Get
The Press program is essentially separated into two parts; standing pressing and low pressing. The standing press takes you from a standing position to a handstand through either a straddle or a pike, while the low press goes from an L-sit or a straddle L-sit to standing, and then further to handstand. Additionally, this program includes a full pancake and pike flexibility section. All three components come together in our extensive programming section, which will allow you to self-assess and plan your training according to your level.
| Level | Intermediate |
| Goals | Straddle, Pike, and Stalder Press | Pike and Pancake Flexibility |
| Duration | 12-18 months |
| Included | 40 Videos, 106 Page Manual, Life-Time Access, Forum Support |
| Prerequisites | 30s freestanding handstand, good control over leg movement (shape changing), entering handstand via tuck or straddle |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Goals | Straddle, Pike, and Stalder Press | Pike and Pancake flexibility |
| Duration | 12-18 months |
| Included | 40 Videos, 106 Page Manual, Life-Time Access, Forum Support |
| Prerequisites | 30s freestanding handstand, good control over leg movement (shape changing), entering handstand via tuck or straddle |
Don’t meet the prerequisites? Check out our beginner program, Push to gain a consistent, freestanding handstand!
“Like all complex movements, the Stalder press is created in parts. So to achieve our goal we aim to develop all the fundamental components separately and then assemble them into the full Stalder.”
“Like all complex movements, the Stalder press is created in parts. So to achieve our goal we aim to develop all the fundamental components separately and then assemble them into the full Stalder.”
FROM THE PRESS MANUAL
Flexibility Part in Press
One of the perks of the Handstand Factory programs is that they also cover the necessary flexibility components you need to develop in order to progress in your training.
If your goal is to do a press (or Stalder press) to handstand, then working on your pancake flexibility will likely be a big part of your training. The flexibility section in Press actually makes for about 50% of the material in Press, and a lot of the handbalancing work is also active flexibility work. The Press program includes a pike and a pancake section, with flexibility theory as well as program templates to take you to full pike and flat pancake that you can actively access in your press training.
Flexibility Programming in Press
One of the perks of the Handstand Factory programs is that they also cover the necessary flexibility components you need to develop in order to progress in your training.
If your goal is to do a press (or Stalder press) to handstand, then working on your pancake flexibility will likely be a big part of your training. The flexibility section in Press actually makes for about 50% of the material in Press, and a lot of the handbalancing work is also active flexibility work. The Press program includes a pike and a pancake section, with flexibility theory as well as program templates to take you to full pike and flat pancake that you can actively access in your press training.
OUR APPROACH TO HANDBALANCING
Our programs teach handbalancing using a technique that is expansive – it leads to a structure that is efficient and elegant and can be used to develop towards the higher level skills such as different two arm handstand shapes, and later even the one arm handstand. There are many different styles of handstands out there, and they are all valid in their respective contexts and usages. This program, however, teaches the press to handstand from a combination of traditional Russian handbalancing with alternative strategies of developing awareness and coordination upside down.
OUR APPROACH TO HANDBALANCING
Our programs teach handbalancing using a technique that is expansive – it leads to a structure that is efficient and elegant and can be used to develop towards the higher level skills such as different two arm handstand shapes, and later even the one arm handstand. There are many different styles of handstands out there, and they are all valid in their respective contexts and usages. This program, however, teaches the press to handstand from a combination of traditional Russian handbalancing with alternative strategies of developing awareness and coordination upside down.
More in depth about the Press program
One of the perks of the Handstand Factory programs is that they do not only cover the handbalancing aspects of training handstands, but they also cover the necessary flexibility components you need to develop in order to progress in your training. All techniques used in the programs are chosen on the premise that we believe that with the deliberate mix of well thought out methods, exceptional flexibility and mobility are achievable for adults with all kinds of training backgrounds. These programs reflect the approach of building flexibility and resilience throughout the whole body, paying special attention to the correct application concerning the adult body.
HOW YOUR TRAINING WILL LOOK
The Press program contains 40 instructional videos that thoroughly explain the theory and practice of the press to handstand. It begins with the standing straddle press to handstand, covers the Pike press and finally takes you through learning the Stalder press from the floor. The videos are broken up into manageable sections that clearly build upon each other. The Press program has an accompanying manual which you will be able to download as PDF, or view it in your browser. You will be able to use the manual to quickly read up on an exercise, or study it textbook style. This is the first four pages of the 102 page manual accompanying the Press program.
The website is designed so that you can watch and rewatch the videos for each course on desktop, take notes, and fully immerse yourself in understanding the theory behind handbalancing training. At some point though, you're just going to have to scrap the theory and go do the thing - but don't worry, you can just take the videos and manuals with you and recheck things on the fly wherever you're training, the gym, the park, at the office... with the Handstand Factory mobile version, all you need is a floor and a wall!
HOW WE TEACH THE PRESS TO HANDSTAND
The Press program is designed to teach you the necessary strength, flexibility and coordination to achieve the straddle and pike press to handstand (basic), as well as the Stalder press to handstand (advanced). Because of the tremendous flexibility component of this skill, we have included a large pike and pancake flexibility section in this program. We teach handbalancing using a technique that is expansive, it leads to a structure that is efficient and elegant and can be used to develop towards the higher level skills, for example the one-arm handstand. The two-arm handstand how it is taught in our Push program is the ideal basis for doing this Press program, but if you feel somewhat stable in a straight handstand, this course is for you.
The aim of this program is to give you a solid foundation and understanding of the mechanics of the press, as well as the relevant pancake and pike flexibility. This type of work also covers an in depth theoretical explanation of flexibility development in adults, as well as the type of strength work needed to progress to the more advanced pressing. The programming is designed in a manner that lets you combine the high pressing, low pressing and flexibility components suitable to your level, so you can work on all three components at the same time.
The program consists of 40 videos covering all necessary skill, flexibility, coordination and strength components, and you will learn to find and select suitable exercises out of these and the accompanying manual, covering skillwork, conditioning and flexibility drills.
It is important to note that, though recommended, low pressing is not needed to develop very advanced handstand skills, even on one arm. It is a different shoulder mechanic but it is certainly recommended to develop the full Stalder and L-sit press for control, mobility and strength.
STARTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESS PROGRAM
The Press Program is an intermediate level handbalancing course. It is, together with the Keep Pushing program, the next in the Handstand Factory syllabus after the Push program, and thus the starting requirement is a solid freestanding handstand of about 30seconds minimum. Before spending significant time on the program it is advisable to also have some ability to coordinate the legs in a handstand. Jumps to handstand through tuck should also be an easy task.
This program can be done simultaneously with the Keep Pushing program.
Apart from the physical prerequisites, this program also requires you to be able to train in an autonomous, self directed manner. We have included all the explanations, step by step programming as well as in depth information about all the progressions, but it is you putting in the work and showing up for the training that will get you your press, or stalder press, to handstand.
STARTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESS PROGRAM
The Press Program is an intermediate level handbalancing course. It is, together with the Keep Pushing program, the next in the Handstand Factory syllabus after the Push program, and thus the starting requirement is a solid freestanding handstand of about 30seconds minimum. Before spending significant time on the program it is advisable to also have some ability to coordinate the legs in a handstand. Jumps to handstand through tuck should also be an easy task.
This program can be done simultaneously with the Keep Pushing program.
Apart from the physical prerequisites, this program also requires you to be able to train in an autonomous, self directed manner. We have included all the explanations, step by step programming as well as in depth information about all the progressions, but it is you putting in the work and showing up for the training that will get you your press, or stalder press, to handstand.
"It’s like being in school and having lecture, lab and study - between the podcast, training, and text."
"It’s like being in school and having lecture, lab and study - between the podcast, training, and text."
JOYCE, SAN FRANCISCO
PRESS
Who’s Teaching
Mikael Kristiansen and Emmet Louis are both international teachers of handbalancing and flexibility and have spent big chunks of their lives studying and understanding all aspects of these skills professionally both as performers and teachers. With Handstand Factory, they now want to demystify and simplify the process of learning handstands, and make it accessible to anyone wanting to learn to stand on their hands. To learn more about Handstand Factory, head over to our about page.
FAQ
How long will I be using the Press program?
The aim of the press program is to give you all forms of the press to handstand, working through the straddle press, pike press, Stalder and finally, L-sit press to Handstand. By the end of this, we’ll have gotten you a flat pancake, too. Once all of these have been achieved then the press program could be considered complete. We do not put timeframes on this type of goal as it is entirely individual and of course depends largely on your starting point as well.
Do I need to be flexible to start the Press program?
No way! The Press program has specific flexibility work for people at any level so that your flexibility will never be a limiting factor in your progress to the press to handstand. If you feel like the press to handstand is still a good bit away, you could begin working on the pike though, so by the time you begin this program your pancake will progress nicely.
I am strong but not flexible/I am flexible but not strong, can I do the Press program?
The Press program aims to work on both your strength and your flexibility at the same time, so that what-ever your limitations it can be effectively targeted and improved. The press handstand is a combined expression of both strength and flexibility and if you neglect either then you’re making your journey much harder for yourself. This program will, however, address flexibility, strength and the coordination needed, so each of these components will receive as much attention in your training as they need.
Do I need a training partner to do the Press program?
Nope, the way that the Press program is designed means there is no need for a partner and that everything can be done independently. A press to handstand is impressive though, so you want people around when you do one 😉
Are the Handstand Factory programs follow along videos?
No, all of our online programs are educational in nature, they don’t contain videos in which you follow the training in real time like a class. The video library for each program contains explanation and demos for each exercise, with valuable cues and insights. These exercises are also explained in the manual, and lastly, programmed into comprehensive training templates that you can follow in your own time.
Do I need equipment to train the Press program?
The Handstand Factory programs are designed to be trained with little to no equipment. The most important things are a flat floor and a free wall. However, as you begin pressing from an elevated surface, boxes would be useful. Chairs, a low table or other also work well though! For the flexibility, a mat or pillows would be helpful, as well as some light weights (filled waterbottles also work).