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Beginner
Click to watch ·
▶ Watch here
Test Wall Toe Pull-Away
DRILL
Build handstand balance against wall
    Beginner
    Click to watch · 0:23 ↗ YouTube
    0:23
    ▶ Watch here
    Frog Stand
    Beginner Not tried
    Entry-level balance skill on hands
    BalanceWrist StrengthCore
    Not tried
    • Hands shoulder-width — lean forward until feet lift off
    • Knees rest on upper arms for support
    • Weight in lower palm; press fingers into floor
    • Spread fingers for better balance and force control
    Goal
    Build balance through repetition — improve comfort and stability over time
    Beginner
    Click to watch · 1:05 ↗ YouTube
    1:05
    ▶ Watch here
    Hanging L-Sit
    Beginner Not tried
    Core, hip flexors & grip endurance
    CoreHip FlexorsGrip
    Not tried
    • Progress: knee raises → L raises → hold for time
    • Train grip early — it often fails before muscles do
    • Shaking reduces as stability improves over time
    • Floor L-sit is harder — master the hang version first
    Floor Variation
    Press into bars, softly round upper back. Start with bent legs then gradually extend
    Intermediate
    Click to watch · 1:52 ↗ YouTube
    1:52
    ▶ Watch here
    Skin the Cat
    Intermediate Not tried
    Shoulder mobility, body awareness & injury prevention
    Shoulder MobilityBody AwarenessInjury Prevention
    Not tried
    • Hang → knees to chest → pass legs through arms
    • Cross legs to make the rotation easier at first
    • Extend body fully, then reverse — pull back up
    • Foundation for the back lever (same entry movement)
    Learning Tip
    Let go and land on feet if needed while learning — build confidence gradually
    Intermediate
    Click to watch · 2:58 ↗ YouTube
    2:58
    ▶ Watch here
    Pullover
    Intermediate Not tried
    First milestone for getting up and over the bar
    CoordinationHip DriveBody Row
    Not tried
    • Combines body row + toes-to-bar leg raise
    • Quickly raise legs with momentum into a body row at top
    • Swing legs over and around the bar, land on hips
    • Alternative: separate leg raise, then controlled row
    Learning Tip
    Use a low bar or jump assist to feel the rotation before attempting from a full hang
    Advanced
    Click to watch · 3:49 ↗ YouTube
    3:49
    ▶ Watch here
    Pistol Squat
    Advanced Not tried
    Leg-focused: strength, balance & mobility
    Leg StrengthBalanceHip MobilityAnkle Mobility
    Not tried
    • Start with deep step-ups as a foundation
    • Practice elevated pistols with support to remove mobility limits
    • Gradually reduce elevation as mobility improves
    • Work toward full freestanding pistol squat
    Advanced
    Click to watch · 4:30 ↗ YouTube
    4:30
    ▶ Watch here
    Handstand
    Advanced Not tried
    Most important balance skill — foundation for many movements
    BalanceBody AlignmentWrist Stability
    Not tried
    • Same hand setup as frog stand — kick up using momentum
    • Practice safe exits first — lean to side and step away
    • Low strength demand allows frequent daily practice
    • Expect sporadic holds — progress is uneven at first
    Reality Check
    Consistency takes time. You can work on other skills while still learning this one in parallel
    Test Wall Toe Pull-Away
    Build handstand balance against wall
    Advanced
    Click to watch · 5:17 ↗ YouTube
    5:17
    ▶ Watch here
    Kipping Muscle-Up
    Advanced Not tried
    Explosive pulling strength & momentum control
    Explosive PullMomentumTransition
    Not tried
    • Train diagonal pull-ups — start with resistance band
    • Jump to bar, swing forward to generate momentum
    • As swing reverses, raise knees to chest for height
    • Quick hip drive forward carries body over the bar
    Expert
    Click to watch · 6:00 ↗ YouTube
    6:00
    ▶ Watch here
    Frog Stand → Handstand
    Expert Not tried
    Combines frog stand and handstand in one movement
    BalancePressing StrengthControl
    Not tried
    • From frog stand, lower head while hips rise up
    • More vertical hips = better launch position
    • Quickly extend legs while pressing firmly into floor
    • Incline push-ups are the main supporting exercise
    Key Balance Point
    Faster leg extension = harder control. Find your rhythm between strength and momentum
    Expert
    Click to watch · 6:52 ↗ YouTube
    6:52
    ▶ Watch here
    Tuck Planche
    Expert Not tried
    Introduction to straight-arm strength — foundation for static skills
    Straight ArmCore CompressionScapular Strength
    Not tried
    • Begin with planche leans to build strength and find arm position
    • Bring knees close, slightly lift feet off the floor
    • Actively press down and protract shoulders
    • Softly round upper back throughout the hold
    ⚠ Warning
    Can strain biceps even as a pushing exercise — manage volume carefully and progress slowly
    Expert
    Click to watch · 7:50 ↗ YouTube
    7:50
    ▶ Watch here
    Handstand Push-Up
    Expert Not tried
    Vertical Push
    Not tried
      Full vertical pressing power. From a handstand, lower until the head nears the floor, then press back up — pure overhead strength.
      Test Wall Toe Pull-Away
      Build handstand balance against wall
      Expert
      Click to watch · 7:37 ↗ YouTube
      7:37
      ▶ Watch here
      Strict Muscle-Up
      Expert Not tried
      Diagonal Pull
      Not tried
        The king of pulling movements. Get over the bar using controlled strength alone — no kipping, no momentum, pure power.
        Expert
        Click to watch · 7:37 ↗ YouTube
        7:37
        ▶ Watch here
        Front Lever
        Expert Not tried
        Horizontal Pull
        Not tried
          The ultimate core and lat challenge. Hold the body perfectly horizontal while hanging from a bar, face toward the ceiling.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 2:36 ↗ YouTube
          2:36
          ▶ Watch here
          Elbow Lever
          Intermediate Not tried
          Easy to learn, looks extremely impressive
          BalanceElbow SupportBeginner Friendly
          Not tried
          • Place elbows under body, lean onto bones for support
          • Find and hold the balance point — very learnable
          • Does not build into main progression skills
          • Great beginner trick — achievable in a single session
          Beginner
          Click to watch · 0:04 ↗ YouTube
          0:04
          ▶ Watch here
          Hollow Body Hang
          Beginner Not tried
          Active hanging for grip, shoulder control, and full-body tension
          HangingGripShoulders
          Not tried
          • Start in a dead hang, then pull the shoulders down and back into an active hang
          • Squeeze the core and thighs together to keep the body still
          • Use a resistance band to deload and lower assistance over time
          Coach's tip:
          Treat this as your first lesson in straight-arm tension. Stay long, quiet, and controlled.
          Beginner
          Click to watch · 2:08 ↗ YouTube
          2:08
          ▶ Watch here
          Hollow Body Hold
          Beginner Not tried
          Foundational anti-extension core position for calisthenics
          CoreTensionFloor
          Not tried
          • Press the lower back firmly into the floor and let the shoulders rise naturally
          • Lift and extend the legs while keeping pelvic tilt
          • Regress with bent legs, one-leg holds, or straddle holds and build to 45 seconds
          Coach's tip:
          Lower back contact is the rep. If it lifts, make the position easier and keep the shape honest.
          Beginner
          Click to watch · 2:51 ↗ YouTube
          2:51
          ▶ Watch here
          Pseudo Planche Lean
          Beginner Not tried
          Straight-arm front delt and scapular strength for planche prep
          PlancheShouldersStraight Arm
          Not tried
          • Protract the scapula and keep the shoulders away from the ears
          • Turn the hands slightly outward if needed for wrist comfort
          • Lean forward with straight arms, tight core, glutes, and thighs
          Coach's tip:
          Measure lean against a wall or block so you can steadily push the position forward over time.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 3:40 ↗ YouTube
          3:40
          ▶ Watch here
          Pseudo Planche Push-Up
          Intermediate Not tried
          Pressing strength with a forward lean for advanced push progressions
          PlanchePushFront Delts
          Not tried
          • Add a push-up to the pseudo planche lean while maintaining forward lean
          • If needed, lean forward on the way down and push back toward a regular push-up on the way up
          • Over time, keep the lean through the full rep
          Coach's tip:
          Do not chase reps at the expense of the lean. The lean is what makes this transferable.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 4:11 ↗ YouTube
          4:11
          ▶ Watch here
          Tuck Front Lever
          Intermediate Not tried
          Straight-arm pulling strength and bodyline control under the bar
          LeverBackStraight Arm
          Not tried
          • Pull the knees toward the chest while keeping the arms straight
          • Lift until the ankles touch the bar, then lean back toward horizontal
          • Avoid bending the arms or shaking through the lift
          Coach's tip:
          Think lift, lean back, and pause. The straight-arm shape matters more than how high you can yank yourself.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 5:24 ↗ YouTube
          5:24
          ▶ Watch here
          German Hang
          Intermediate Not tried
          Shoulder extension mobility and tolerance through a loaded stretch
          MobilityShouldersRings
          Not tried
          • Use a block or bench under the feet when first entering the position
          • Lower as safely as possible and gradually reduce support over time
          • Work toward a freestanding hold as tolerance improves
          Coach's tip:
          Respect the stretch. This is a mobility builder, not a test of how reckless you can be.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 5:51 ↗ YouTube
          5:51
          ▶ Watch here
          Butcher Block
          Intermediate Not tried
          A shoulder opening drill for straighter handstand lines
          HandstandMobilityShoulders
          Not tried
          • Keep the elbows tucked rather than flaring out
          • Start on the knees to learn the shape and feel the shoulders open
          • Build to 30-second holds, then add a small external load if needed
          Coach's tip:
          Actively sink the hips and brace the core. This is mobility plus strength, not just a stretch.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 7:14 ↗ YouTube
          7:14
          ▶ Watch here
          Tuck Back Lever
          Intermediate Not tried
          Backside straight-arm strength and control behind the bar
          LeverBackStraight Arm
          Not tried
          • Move past the bar from a German hang style setup and stop just short
          • Lift the chest and hold a horizontal tuck without extending the legs
          • Train it like the front lever with straight-arm lifts into position
          Coach's tip:
          If the German hang feels sketchy, this skill is not ready yet. Build the shoulder tolerance first.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 7:45 ↗ YouTube
          7:45
          ▶ Watch here
          Compact Leg Lift
          Intermediate Not tried
          Core compression and hip mobility for future L-sit progressions
          CoreCompressionHip Mobility
          Not tried
          • Place the hands around knee or low-thigh level and push down and out with the back
          • Keep the legs straight and lift them as high as possible
          • Regress to single-leg lifts or use an object target to build range
          Coach's tip:
          Use a wall behind the upper back for leverage if needed, but keep chasing straighter legs and cleaner lifts.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 9:02 ↗ YouTube
          9:02
          ▶ Watch here
          Pike Push-Up
          Intermediate Not tried
          Overhead pushing strength with an inverted pressing angle
          PushShouldersInversion
          Not tried
          • Lower so the head travels above the hands on the descent
          • Keep the elbows tucked rather than flared out
          • Push up and out through the shoulders, not just straight up
          Coach's tip:
          Lengthen or shorten the pike to scale difficulty, but keep the head path honest and the elbows clean.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 9:53 ↗ YouTube
          9:53
          ▶ Watch here
          L-Sit
          Intermediate Not tried
          Full-body compression and scapular depression in a support hold
          CoreCompressionSupport
          Not tried
          • Depress the scapula by pushing down with straight arms
          • Lift the hips slightly back as you push into the floor or bars
          • Use single-leg alternating L-sits as a bridge from compact leg lifts
          Coach's tip:
          Think push down, lift hips, then lift legs. If compression is weak, go back and own the compact leg lift.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 10:20 ↗ YouTube
          10:20
          ▶ Watch here
          Archer Push-Up
          Intermediate Not tried
          Unilateral pressing strength and one-arm push-up preparation
          PushUnilateralChest
          Not tried
          • At the bottom, one arm bends while the other stays much straighter
          • Use bent-arm archers first instead of forcing a straight support arm too soon
          • Build both strength and mobility by gradually opening the working position
          Coach's tip:
          Do both sides with equal discipline. This is as much an imbalance fixer as it is a strength builder.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 11:23 ↗ YouTube
          11:23
          ▶ Watch here
          Reverse Nordic
          Intermediate Not tried
          A bodyweight quad strengthener that also opens the front of the body
          LegsQuadsKnees
          Not tried
          • Set the knees about shoulder width and keep the feet flat behind you
          • Squeeze the glutes and descend in one straight line without bouncing
          • Use elevation under the feet or bands for assistance if needed
          Coach's tip:
          Stay rigid from knees to shoulders. This works because the body moves as one piece.
          Advanced
          Click to watch · 0:00 ↗ YouTube
          0:00
          ▶ Watch here
          Incline One-Arm Push-Up
          Advanced Not tried
          Build unilateral pressing strength and stability toward a full one-arm push-up
          PushUnilateralChest
          Not tried
          • Use an incline that is challenging but still lets you control the rep
          • Treat the movement as single-arm pressing with balance and trunk tension
          • Lower the incline over time as strength and control improve
          Coach's tip:
          Do not force the floor version too early. Own the incline first, then gradually reduce assistance.
          Elite
          Click to watch · 5:53 ↗ YouTube
          5:53
          ▶ Watch here
          One-Arm Push-Up
          Elite Not tried
          Build unilateral pressing strength, trunk stability, and balance in a true one-arm floor push-up
          PushUnilateralChest
          Not tried
          • Start from a solid push-up foundation and use a wide tripod base with the feet for balance
          • Lean toward the working side and keep the body rigid as you descend and press
          • Build it through elevated and assisted one-arm push-ups, then use one rep every minute on the minute to grow volume
          Coach's tip:
          Do not rush the floor version. Own the incline and assisted progressions first, then keep the feet wide and the torso tight so the rep stays controlled.
          Advanced
          Click to watch · 12:09 ↗ YouTube
          12:09
          ▶ Watch here
          Straddle Sit
          Advanced Not tried
          An advanced seated support hold with mobility-heavy compression
          CompressionMobilitySupport
          Not tried
          • Turn the hands slightly outward or even more to the side if needed
          • Enter from a squat at first rather than forcing a clean ground entry
          • Build it with straddle leg lifts and patience around flexibility
          Coach's tip:
          This is not just an L-sit with the legs apart. The hip opening and entry mechanics matter.
          Intermediate
          Click to watch · 12:46 ↗ YouTube
          12:46
          ▶ Watch here
          Shoulder Stand
          Intermediate Not tried
          Wall-assisted shoulder strength for future handstand pressing
          ShouldersHandstandWall
          Not tried
          • Train on a wall from a frog stand style setup
          • Start with one leg up before moving to both legs in position
          • Use the wall to lower into the full position and own the breathing
          Coach's tip:
          Do not rush the shape. This is about shoulder tolerance and end-range control, not ego reps.
          Advanced
          Click to watch · 13:05 ↗ YouTube
          13:05
          ▶ Watch here
          Muscle-Up
          Advanced Not tried
          A dynamic pull-to-transition skill built on timing as much as strength
          PullDynamicBar
          Not tried
          • Use a hollow pull shape rather than an arched pull-up
          • Practice the swing path, then add an aggressive knee drive at the right moment
          • Use a resistance band to learn the line and reduce help over time
          Coach's tip:
          Many people have enough strength but poor timing. Drill the knee drive before you chase cleaner reps.
          Progress video