For reference, I train both sides but the best hold I've had with the left is 5s. I also had a subluxation of my left shoulder doing meathooks in November 2020 which has affected it.
I'm an opera singer and this is kind of what it's like to practice extremely challenging arias-somewhat ridiculous years-long daily practice for what is essentially a party trick, but very satisfying when you finally get it. :-)
It isn’t just a party trick. It’s one of the top calisthenics exercises ever. Your triceps, trapezius muscles, hamstrings and deltoids and shoulders are all involved. You’re doing more than just practicing a party trick, you’re building and sculpting your body into a incredible statue.
@Uuyrijies1123 just be honest to yourself. There ist 0 practical use. And the in risk of injury super high. There are way more efficient ways to sculpt your body if that's your thing.
I just started calisthenics a few months ago. It's really good to hear how long it takes to master some of these advanced skills. It puts things in perspective for sure.
I started Calisthenics and following you toward the beginning of this Road to OAHS series (June of 2018). I just have to say that it's been super motivational for me to watch you grind away and achieve your goal with nothing but hard work. It also inspired me to give myself a goal I didn't really allow myself to believe I can achieve. Maybe in 3 years from now, someone will be commenting something like this at the end of my journey, but I just wanted to say thanks for the motivation 👍💪.
This reminds me of one of the reasons why I got into calisthenics: I was on vacation at the beach nearly a decade ago and saw a guy do a handstand-to-L-sit and back again. I was amazed and told myself I wanted to do that. I still can't do a freestanding handstand, but I can do an L-sit to frog stand (and back again), so at least I've had a little progress.
I feel a lot better about my progress now. I think I started hand-balancing about 4.5 years ago. My first real focus on one arm was 2 years ago now. I can do 3 seconds on either arm almost every time, but I've never quite hit 10. That being said, I've also never put in more than 4 hours per week. Depending on my training cycle I'd do anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. That point about building time really does seem key. It's probably not worth it for most people to put in the kind of time you did/do, but it's so much fun and I hope to continue this practice for the rest of my life regardless of what milestones I may or may not reach.
Congratulations man! You really stuck to it. And wow 10-20 hours per week... really put things into perspective. Thank You for sharing and good luck with the next skills!
I have to get wrist surgery and Doc says I won't be able to do a push-up for at least 6 months. I've been training bodyweight exercises for a year now and this is going to be a huge hit to my progress. A month or two ago I came across your channel and saw how much emphasis you put on flexibility/mobility on top of your bodyweight exercises. I may have forgone training all together if I hadn't discovered your channel and can't thank you enough for showing me I have other options while I'm recovering.
Hey Tom, any chance you can show us how many exercises/sets we should do, along with the exercises we should do in a upper/lower/upper split? Like what skills to include on the day, along with compounds and accessory exercises?
i get my one arm with 1 year of training! from 0 to one arm literally. I can old on blocks on my left arm for 10 to 15 seconds. Is very challenging i will keep training!
Road to 90° hspu? Feel like youd be pretty close to straddle planche 10 second hold so might be a short series, excited to find out what the new series will be anyway, and thanks for documenting the one arm, I will always rewatch the series, very inspirational and informative, this video nearly broke my heart to begin with but I'm choosing to one day learn the one arm because of how hard it is and the grind, the things I choose to do in life are normally based on the sense of achievement I'll get rather than being able to say I've done it, live for the grind so one arm dream is still alive, thanks alot Tom!
Yes I have been doignm them for about 9 or so months and I have never actually balanced one. Although I have not done finger practice, I only did attempts, which is not the best way to train it ofc lol. I am starting with fingers soon. The bonus though, my handstand has gotten wayyyyy better from just kicking up and balancing to get into one arm position.
I can't believe it's been three years already. It must be very rewarding to achieve OHS, but yeah, 10-15 hours a week sound like a bit of an overkill. Nonetheless, amazing feat of balance and strenght.
Nice vid Tom. I would like you to tell us at which point of your progression do you consider Optimus to start trying OAHS? I mean if you consider any useful test to help you decide when to start?
Jesus Christ here I am training calisthenics skills, basics, legs, mobility and two arm hs for a total of 6 times a week and then trying to sprinkle 2 oahs session for an hour each on top, thinking that it will be enough. Man I was so wrong. Glad I found this video so early in my oahs journey. I'm thinking about putting it on the backburner for now. Not willing to cut away time from my other goals to reach the required 10-15h for 5x a week oahs time. Dammit
It shouldn't take this long... it's doable in a shorter time... he doesn't have a lot of muscle mass. Having a bit more shoulder amd triceps strength would probably help a little. And fat traps.
I can remember people saying it would take 2 yrs to achieve planche. I achieved it in 9 months. I believe The planche is way harder to execute then a one arm handstand.
Awesome video as always tom, I was wondering if you ever considered training brazilian jiu jitsu, it seems like an awesome fit to you considering your flexibility and strenght to weight ratio/isometric strenght. cheers from Brazil
The part of your brain involved in balance is the same part of the brain involved in learning new skills. Some schools get the kids to do balance exercises for this reason. It is said once you master the one finger stand then there is nothing you can't learn.
Very true, one arm handstand is definitely not for everyone. The most frustrating skill to achieve.. is it worth it? Well if you wanna be one of the few % in the world able to do the skill then yeah 😏
I've been practicing OAHS for almost 2 years, I am able to hold it for an average of 5 seconds but still struggling by unwanted rotation. I wonder what is causing such phenomenon?
@@alexbeis1861 I do lift weight, however alot of handbalancers doesn´t do that and are doing just fine. Lower traps are essential to work as a stabilizer for the oah.
I feel like you can probably get away with a lot less time than 10-15h hours per week by focusing on getting brutally strong first, and practicing it later in your lifting journey.
The average answer from teachers + handbalancer a I’ve spoken to is 10s on the good arm before bad arm begins to get them. I had 5s on the left before a recent infraspinatus tear about 6 months after this video
For reference, I train both sides but the best hold I've had with the left is 5s. I also had a subluxation of my left shoulder doing meathooks in November 2020 which has affected it.
When you mentioned 8-9 hours and 3-4 hours, were you talking about pure balance work?
Damn shame about the subluxation, did you tear your labrum because of it ? Is it healed now ?
Hey. Im doing 3 seconds . Left arm . Im placing my fingers out not forward. Im going to continue.
I'm an opera singer and this is kind of what it's like to practice extremely challenging arias-somewhat ridiculous years-long daily practice for what is essentially a party trick, but very satisfying when you finally get it. :-)
It isn’t just a party trick. It’s one of the top calisthenics exercises ever. Your triceps, trapezius muscles, hamstrings and deltoids and shoulders are all involved. You’re doing more than just practicing a party trick, you’re building and sculpting your body into a incredible statue.
@Uuyrijies1123 just be honest to yourself. There ist 0 practical use. And the in risk of injury super high.
There are way more efficient ways to sculpt your body if that's your thing.
The reaction shots of randos in the background is always appealing.
Hey Tom! Im a pole dancer from Greece. Your follow alongs have been a gamechanger for my flexibility! Admire you and your determination ☺️
I just started calisthenics a few months ago. It's really good to hear how long it takes to master some of these advanced skills. It puts things in perspective for sure.
Not going to lie, I thought I had clicked onto a "Browney" video after hearing the intro music
Yeah but I prefer his style
I started Calisthenics and following you toward the beginning of this Road to OAHS series (June of 2018). I just have to say that it's been super motivational for me to watch you grind away and achieve your goal with nothing but hard work. It also inspired me to give myself a goal I didn't really allow myself to believe I can achieve. Maybe in 3 years from now, someone will be commenting something like this at the end of my journey, but I just wanted to say thanks for the motivation 👍💪.
This reminds me of one of the reasons why I got into calisthenics: I was on vacation at the beach nearly a decade ago and saw a guy do a handstand-to-L-sit and back again. I was amazed and told myself I wanted to do that. I still can't do a freestanding handstand, but I can do an L-sit to frog stand (and back again), so at least I've had a little progress.
I feel a lot better about my progress now. I think I started hand-balancing about 4.5 years ago. My first real focus on one arm was 2 years ago now. I can do 3 seconds on either arm almost every time, but I've never quite hit 10. That being said, I've also never put in more than 4 hours per week. Depending on my training cycle I'd do anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. That point about building time really does seem key. It's probably not worth it for most people to put in the kind of time you did/do, but it's so much fun and I hope to continue this practice for the rest of my life regardless of what milestones I may or may not reach.
Congratulations man! You really stuck to it. And wow 10-20 hours per week... really put things into perspective. Thank You for sharing and good luck with the next skills!
I have to get wrist surgery and Doc says I won't be able to do a push-up for at least 6 months. I've been training bodyweight exercises for a year now and this is going to be a huge hit to my progress. A month or two ago I came across your channel and saw how much emphasis you put on flexibility/mobility on top of your bodyweight exercises. I may have forgone training all together if I hadn't discovered your channel and can't thank you enough for showing me I have other options while I'm recovering.
Good luck on your recovery
I can't even imagine dealing with an injury like that and having to skip training for 6 months. As ficolas said, good luck on your recovery!
Just learn from your mistake and start training mobility once it heal up
Lmao what’s up ficolas body weight fitness
@@LookOuch sup boii
We gotta fill our time with something until we die, and handstands are a wonderful way to do it." So sad but yet so true
It's great to see the progress over the years and motivation to see the consistency. Keep it up man.
Hey Tom, any chance you can show us how many exercises/sets we should do, along with the exercises we should do in a upper/lower/upper split?
Like what skills to include on the day, along with compounds and accessory exercises?
I can tell from the intro that this is gonna be good
There is no other youtuber ,can produce series in terms of this quality. Thanks for the grind Tom! Keep this up!
so impressive! Your commitment is insane. You should be proud
i hope i will be like you someday, I can do handstand and handstand pushups, but never tried 1 arm style. you inspired me , Thx a lot , Tom
i get my one arm with 1 year of training! from 0 to one arm literally. I can old on blocks on my left arm for 10 to 15 seconds. Is very challenging i will keep training!
That's phenomenal.
@@ceandremayweathers9450 thx ! now i can do amazing tricks xD
now you are a circus artist 🗿@@matheus_keil
Well done! Brilliant filmmaking expertise as well 👍
Road to 90° hspu? Feel like youd be pretty close to straddle planche 10 second hold so might be a short series, excited to find out what the new series will be anyway, and thanks for documenting the one arm, I will always rewatch the series, very inspirational and informative, this video nearly broke my heart to begin with but I'm choosing to one day learn the one arm because of how hard it is and the grind, the things I choose to do in life are normally based on the sense of achievement I'll get rather than being able to say I've done it, live for the grind so one arm dream is still alive, thanks alot Tom!
What a journey bro!! Consistency pays off ;) put in the time and you will achieve anything
Road to planche incoming 👀👀👀
Yes I have been doignm them for about 9 or so months and I have never actually balanced one. Although I have not done finger practice, I only did attempts, which is not the best way to train it ofc lol. I am starting with fingers soon. The bonus though, my handstand has gotten wayyyyy better from just kicking up and balancing to get into one arm position.
Puppy dogs made the video beautiful ,amazing many handstand video can’t wait to be able to perform mine
Good job man ...I hope that I can achieve this just like you some day
I can't believe it's been three years already. It must be very rewarding to achieve OHS, but yeah, 10-15 hours a week sound like a bit of an overkill. Nonetheless, amazing feat of balance and strenght.
Love from Azerbaijan 👍
Been a very long journey. Respect Tom!
best calisthenics channel on the platform right here 😁
Well, my journey just started
Hope I'll be training it in 3 years xD
I really want to back him up on this: handstandfactory is incredible!
Very good video thank’s from france for this motivation
The song at the beginning, every fitness TH-camr has used it but it never gets old idk why...
@Big Smoke yup, also, Did CJ ever catch the train?
Nice vid Tom. I would like you to tell us at which point of your progression do you consider Optimus to start trying OAHS? I mean if you consider any useful test to help you decide when to start?
0:40 you've got her heart ;)
Why 15 hours per week for one arm vs 4 hours per week with two arm? What does that training breakdown look like? 3 hours sessions?
Jesus Christ here I am training calisthenics skills, basics, legs, mobility and two arm hs for a total of 6 times a week and then trying to sprinkle 2 oahs session for an hour each on top, thinking that it will be enough. Man I was so wrong. Glad I found this video so early in my oahs journey. I'm thinking about putting it on the backburner for now. Not willing to cut away time from my other goals to reach the required 10-15h for 5x a week oahs time. Dammit
It shouldn't take this long... it's doable in a shorter time... he doesn't have a lot of muscle mass. Having a bit more shoulder amd triceps strength would probably help a little. And fat traps.
Bro insane determination
Just a Q I am facing a wrist injury could you make a video on dealing with wrist injuries and maintaining progress?
Im def. not an expert but if u want to maintain the balance aspect, try it on your lower arms, not only the hands
Hooooowww do you do this without wrist straps 😱
wow dude, bravo on your dedication
0:18 Did you play with your dog after the session when it brought you a toy while you were doing the OAHS? ))
Perhaps do a video on your groinnstrain recovery ?
Extremely impressive, especially at your height my guy!!!!
I started doing one arm handstand yesterday. It took a couple of minutes but now I can hold 30 seconds.
.
The way I see it, handstand is just a form of meditation
Thanks from Russia!
This was a great video thank you.
How about the matthewismith handstand program ? Is it legit ? Because the graphs inside looks incredible
I can remember people saying it would take 2 yrs to achieve planche. I achieved it in 9 months. I believe
The planche is way harder to execute then a one arm handstand.
There must be something for which this balance training is useful.
Did you only practice on your right arm? Or both but picked one for this edit?
I train both but the best hold I've had with the left is 5s
You are fantastic!
I did my First under 90 days!!
Why not praticing more on the left?
It’s even but I subluxed by left shoulder November 2020 so it’s pretty meh
@@BodyweightWarrior ok take care. Congrats for the skill.
Ty
Awesome video as always tom, I was wondering if you ever considered training brazilian jiu jitsu, it seems like an awesome fit to you considering your flexibility and strenght to weight ratio/isometric strenght.
cheers from Brazil
Liked for drone shots
can you associate a video with simonster
When can we get a tutorial?
The part of your brain involved in balance is the same part of the brain involved in learning new skills. Some schools get the kids to do balance exercises for this reason. It is said once you master the one finger stand then there is nothing you can't learn.
Too bad I learned handbalancing and still dumb as F#c$
Thank you for this
I learned it in one month, so you have to take advice from me on it😂😂
WoW Amazing!!!! Clap Calp!!!!!!!
Hey Tom is the next one “road to remodeling and destroying my whole house” lol jk 😂 love both the demo and fitness updates
Hey, when I do any sort of straddle work (off the ground) I get almost immediate cramp in what feels like my glute med, anyone can help?
Strengthen it
Woow this is amazing 👏😍
So inspirational
training frequency?
Road to planche maybe?
Very true, one arm handstand is definitely not for everyone. The most frustrating skill to achieve.. is it worth it? Well if you wanna be one of the few % in the world able to do the skill then yeah 😏
I've been practicing OAHS for almost 2 years, I am able to hold it for an average of 5 seconds but still struggling by unwanted rotation. I wonder what is causing such phenomenon?
@@jonelpolot3459 most likely lack of shoulder push.
@@movementcontrol7106 good point but could it be, lack of shoulder flexion?
Do you lift weights as well? Having strong shoulders, triceps, lats amd traps will help a lot...
@@alexbeis1861 I do lift weight, however alot of handbalancers doesn´t do that and are doing just fine. Lower traps are essential to work as a stabilizer for the oah.
I feel like you can probably get away with a lot less time than 10-15h hours per week by focusing on getting brutally strong first, and practicing it later in your lifting journey.
Strength isn't the limiting factor, it's balance.
Amazing!!!
Wtf I just doing handstand casually and I accidently doing one arm handstand for 13 second.
2 40 Tom Merrick does backflip 😀
It doesn't take that long for OAHS. Break dancers get it easily. Also they do 1 arm hand hops and 1 arm airflares.
Damn, 3.5 years. This looks like training to achieve super sayan 3: consumes all your power, but looks very nice. Minus the lack of eyebrows
Dedication sir
What about the other side?
I train both but the best hold I've had with the left is 5s
Inspired
road to planche
When you realize after 6 years that you have to train for the other arm 💀😂
He trained the other arm as well
Lean the flare tom
wow
Does this time period count for other arm as well? Haha or double the time, double the pride;D
The average answer from teachers + handbalancer a I’ve spoken to is 10s on the good arm before bad arm begins to get them. I had 5s on the left before a recent infraspinatus tear about 6 months after this video
💪💪
Only a D rated skill in Women's gymnastics
Next goal: one arm HSPU 🤣
It's pretty cool, however I'd rather fight tyranny and this totalitarianism all nations are facing