PRESS TO HANDSTAND WORKSHOP
Sunday 15th March - 2:00-4:00pm - LSBU Active (Elephant & Castle, London)
Learn the flexibility, coordination, and strength progressions to take your handstand practice to the next level. Whether you’re working toward your first press or wanting to work on Stalder press — this session breaks it all down.
Early Bird Price: £30 (limited spots!)
Book your place now at londonhandstandacademy.com #handstand #handstandworkshop #presstohandstand
PRESS TO HANDSTAND WORKSHOP
Sunday 15th March - 2:00–4:00pm - LSBU Active (Elephant & Castle, London)
Learn the flexibility, coordination, and strength progressions to take your handstand practice to the next level. Whether you’re working toward your first press or wanting to work on Stalder press — this session breaks it all down.
Early Bird Price: £30 (limited spots!)
👉 Book your place now at londonhandstandacademy.com
Handstand Classes in London - 2 teachers
Starting Tuesday, 6-7PM
Gym Nation, London Bridge
Join coaches Elliott and @joss.handsdown for an all-levels handstand class — perfect whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced handstander looking to refine your form.
With three dedicated coaches, you’ll get focused feedback, progress drills, and the support to take your handstand to the next level.
£15 per class or grab a class bundle for extra value!
• Sign up now via the link in bio with London Handstand Academy.
#HandstandClass #HowToHandstand #Handstand #Calisthenics CalisthenicsClass LondonBridgeFitness
@londonhandstandacademy
Never tried doing either of these on a bench before when I suddenly thought I wonder if I can press from here. Then I was up there and thought I wonder if I can one arm even when it’s soft surface! Happy training is paying off that I can play around with these cool combos #presstohandstand #onearmhandstand #handstand #flexibility
Such a great group at our Shape transitions Handstand workshop yesterday at @lsbuactive thanks to our coaches @elliottstaley@joss.handsdown Want to join us in future? We have a class on Tuesday evening at London Bridge and let us know what you’d like the next workshop to focus on!
Kicking off London Handstand Academy with our first workshop at @lsbuactive 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone who came to train, and win their handstands with us. Coaches: @elliottstaley@joss.handsdown wearing branded hoodies from @yazzooclothing
How to Learn the Press to Handstand
A lot of people struggle with the press because they simply don’t have enough strength to push into the floor and lift their feet off.
Here’s a roadmap to build the strength and control needed for your press to handstand.
Save this for later and start practising these drills consistently.
1️⃣ Plank Leans
Use these as your warm-up. Keep hips down, arms straight, and shoulders protracted.
The goal is to get comfortable loading the shoulders directly over the hands.
This builds the foundation for strong, straight arms during your press.
2️⃣ Press Slides
Work on a smooth surface with socks or sliders.
Focus on pulling the hips over your hands while maintaining straight arms.
This improves your compression strength and teaches the path your body needs to travel in the press.
3️⃣ Tuck Planche / Lolasana Lifts
Start in a tuck and lift your feet slowly off the ground.
Keep your hands slightly forward—it’ll make it harder and strengthen your shoulders.
Work towards holding with your back parallel to the floor before lowering back down.
4️⃣ Chest-to-Wall Press Negatives
Kick up to a handstand facing the wall, then control the lowering phase.
Lean the shoulders slightly forward and resist gravity for as long as possible.
Negatives help build the specific strength needed to reverse the movement when pressing up.
5️⃣ Bench Press Lowers
Start seated on a bench or yoga blocks with bent legs.
Shift your weight forward and lightly push through your hands as your feet lift off.
Control the descent until your toes meet your wrists. Over time, aim to reduce any jumping or momentum.
6️⃣ Consistency & Mobility
Work these drills 3–4 times a week, pairing them with active flexibility for your hamstrings and hip flexors.
Be patient — pressing strength develops slowly but steadily with repetition and control.
Tag a friend who’s working on their press and share your progress.
#HandstandTraining #PressToHandstand #CalisthenicsStrength #HandBalancing #GymnasticsStrength MobilityTraining LondonHandstandAcademy BodyweightControl HandstandCoach
Handstand Shape Transitions
With @Joss.Handsdown & @elliottstaley
Saturday 31st January 2026
12.30pm-2pm
@lsbuactive
We'll be unpicking what to feel during the transitions between the tuck, straddle and straight positions.
Bring your own boads and blocks if you want but it's not necessary for the workshop. If you have tension in your wrists, blocks might be worth bringing. We have some spare.
Pre-Reqs:
A solid kick up is needed and a 20 second hold (with a spot). We will be working in pairs so if your kicks ups aren't always consistent yet, that's ok.
Teachers:
Joss started doing handstands about 3 years ago, got hooked, and has since immersed herself in handstand festivals and week-long handstand retreats, learning from world-leading teachers.
Her coaching brings structure and rigour, and a playful energy so training feels supportive and explorative, not scary.
Elliott is an experienced handstand coach and qualified yoga teacher with nearly a decade of personal practice. He blends his own experience with the disciplines of yoga and calisthenics to help students build functional strength, stable foundations and high-level control through structured guidance. Elliott is known for his ability to coach clients through all stages of their handstand journey, from novice to advanced achievements like the one-arm handstand.
Notes:
- Please bring your own mat/equipment as needed
- A partner is not needed
- Concessions for students, low income and unemployed available upon request
PLEASE NOTE THAT JAM/ACRO WORKSHOP TICKETS ARE SEPARATE
LOCATION:
LSBU Active 106-119 London Road, SE1 6LN
Elephant & Castle
Closest tube station: Elephant & Castle
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Cancellations will be fully refunded up to 24hrs before the class
- Cancellations up to 2 hours before the class can be refunded as credits
- If the class is cancelled by the hosts (e.g. due to logistical issues) credits will be refunded to your account
