From Zero To One Arm | My Handstand Journey

My 3 year journey in handbalancing.
Try the Handstand Toolkit today with 10 free videos at:
matthewismith.com/handstandto...
For tutorial posts, coaching enquiries and to stay up to date
IG: / matthewismith
I couldn't have done it without my teachers. Many thanks to you all (in chronological order):
Steve Sargent
My Mum, thanks Mum!
Steve Atlas
Ido Portal
Jonny Sapinoso
Sainaa (Janchivdorj Sainbayar)
Pip Elysium
Eugene Butcher
Yuri Marmerstein
Nikita Sukhanov
Mikael Kristiansen
Wil Brown
Jonathan Last
Jamie Double
Emmet Louis
Morgan Lee
Josh Lee
Isaac Lucksted
John Stranks
Rhiannon Cave-Walker
and many more.
Learn to handstand as an adult, without a background in gymnastics or acrobatics.
Start your own journey from zero to one arm.
Join Handstand Toolkit and get access to 10 free videos:
matthewismith.com/handstandto...

[@Matthewismith]

Thank you for the kind response from everyone. For those asking about tutorials, I upload more frequent shorter ones on instagram.com/matthewismith The 'Mechanics Of' series will continue on here. Comment below what you'd like me to cover (it'll most likely end up as an IG tutorial)

[@joanshir2452]

👍👍

[@emilianoespinosa7865]

What routine do You have to take good care of your wrists? That is something i am struggling with. Thanks You

[@karlhunt3797]

Matthew that's brilliant buddy. Great video, I used to be a dancer and since giving it up have felt something missing. I think this can be my new focus. Thanks for the inspiration dude, I'll be following you for tips 👍

[@TheCatchProductions]

matthewismith how do I contact you to get online coaching matthew? Many thanks 🙏🏾

[@Matthewismith]

@@emilianoespinosa7865 There's an unlisted playlist which can be found on the channel page full of wrist prep exercises. There's also a free PDF in the Handstand Toolkit that goes into more detail when you sign up for the free preview.

[@ultispidey99]

Don’t forget, out of the 6 minutes of him succeeding, he cut out the hours of him falling and getting back into it.

[@vidya2144]

yea no shit captain obvious

[@assaqwwq]

@@vidya2144 moist

[@yourfabilouscoach]

Thats how progress works. You do, you fail, you get up and do it again with the learnings from the fail... 🤘

[@uncleiroh4650]

Nani?

[@converseboyy1303]

@fast Swift and rapid info HOLEY- MOLEY REALLY?... nah I'll just stay on the floor and sleep there

[@Debbus00]

If you watch this video upside down, it's a story about Spiderman desperately trying to get unstuck from the ceiling.

[@Matthewismith]

Hahaha, I laughed too hard at this 😂

[@purvatya8345]

Why is this comment not on top😂

[@nirmalbabu9570]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fazlinederies502]

🤣🤣🤣 and now I can’t unsee this! That’s hilarious!

[@rojinjuliet]

😆😆😆

[@seemathakur8991]

The End of journey: now I'm learning to stand on my feet again.

[@BadassBobY]

Bruh 😂 calisthenics do be like this, you spend more time on the bar/rings or on your hands than you do on your feet.

[@secretsuperstr]

Are aap bhi CALISTHENICS kar rhe kya ??? GIRL ho na ?

[@user-yb6mp3pr9w]

🤣

[@FrozenMermaid666]

Good one! 😂😂😂

[@gym-22]

😆😆😆

[@olobzjr]

Him 5 years later: " *my first 1 minute hand stand moonwalk* "

[@theoboueid4744]

Underrated comment right here!

[@DrWeird-zw5dc]

LOL *golf claps* :)

[@tejaswatrivedi6670]

😄

[@FAILRAWR]

Honestly one of the most impressive changes throughout the video is his flexibility. Some serious work must have gone into that. He has almost full straddle splits at the end there!

[@hunlevistube]

I think you was gonna say mobility of which flexibility is only one part.

[@manderly109]

Right !!! He gained a lot of flexibility.

[@anhnguyenquang6870]

The end of journey : i’m not standing on foot anymore

[@mrd2010]

you mean hanging right

[@NzSumzN]

We don't need legs anymore

[@namanraj5045]

@@NzSumzN bro searching for your comment so long since i got it now

[@NzSumzN]

@@namanraj5045 why searching for my comment? haha

[@lucielle7573]

You mean levitate? Didn't realize that handstand is so profound 😱

[@betterthanyouateverything3224]

Him: takes 3 years Me: Delusionally thinks that I can do it in one day

[@atukcool299]

Yeah mann... Got same with you

[@iSwearToCod]

if you could learn things in a day you wouldn’t get to have the fun journey along with it !

[@dominique7526]

Well you can probably do handstand only by one week of grinding....believe me

[@kaigorodaki]

Ikr

[@MikCBT20]

I learned handstand in 3 months at my home without any coach during this lockdown😊.

[@darkmoon4135]

His arms is thick and sturdy, and his hands are flat and steady. My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.

[@yarik12341]

Mom's spaghetti

[@peblepicle3017]

he's nervous

[@mattrixio]

but on the surface he looks calm and ready

[@_vblax]

to drop bombs

[@NotaTrollJustRealistic]

But he keeps on forgetting

[@herculean616]

You can see his arms get muscular during the journey.

[@galangsuryaanggara1421]

Herculean every handstands variation need powerful core

[@antonioc3543]

Maybe he also workouted

[@chcocat]

Antonio Colella english?

[@mouses_HK]

@@antonioc3543 lol

[@mouses_HK]

Sometimes he was in a gym doing handstands

[@ayasurya5643]

idk why i feel so happy that my eyes watery. that is amazing man, imagine all the hardwork to achieve that.

[@Malabarismo]

This is super motivating!

[@SurjeetKandasiFitness]

I was frustrated that its been 1 year and I cant do handstand properly and only been able to do inconsistent 10sec holds but now I know,it happens with everyone and it takes time... Thanks for motivation👍

[@ankitdani.4977]

Nice effort sir hv subscribed ur chnl

[@Sinnohy]

Gotta' love the part where the lizard just casually walked right by the camere..

[@sarahbasto6520]

Which part was it?

[@etienne7406]

@@sarahbasto6520 3:32

[@Ryquard1]

Thats an iguana

[@NzSumzN]

Lizard be like, I can't even

[@eon001]

3 years and 20 teachers?! Here's me thinking I could learn it in a few months in my bedroom. :/

[@andrewwilkinson4153]

eon001 you can certainly learn two handed in a couple of months. I learnt two handed minute hand stands in 5 weeks. Persistence my dude!

[@eon001]

@@andrewwilkinson4153 Yea I'll keep at it. :) One arm handstand is out of the question for me, but I'll be happy with hand stand push ups and maybe a hand stand walk.

[@whiteautumns]

you can get a normal 2 arm handstand in under a week.

[@Tristan-mb1hb]

Ryan k

[@abd4620]

@@andrewwilkinson4153how much did you train in a week

[@Ncraft2]

cousin of mine when he was born he likes to walk on his hands, and now its like his hands became his legs literally he can run fast with his hands

[@yetto1277]

Lmao 4 likes, wassup

[@malikbenachour3511]

could you imagine someone stealing his phone, going through his gallery to see thousands of videos of him doing handstands.

[@LegoGonkDroid]

that’s exactly what people would find on my phone

[@lailaandsarahhaja4127]

For me they would find a lot of cartwheel videos and pictures of me in splits and back bends😂

[@Jen206]

I’m going to show my children this video 😂 If this isn’t the epitome of hard work then I don’t know what is.

[@Matthewismith]

haha, I appreciate the compliment! I hope they enjoyed it

[@romansidiropoulos7033]

lol that is only the beggining my friend

[@gam940]

I thought they're would be a " truck " to it. No substitute for hard work

[@movementcontrol7106]

Mad respect, from someone who is working on the 1 arm hs I can only imagine the hours behind these holds. Great content!

[@seamac7564]

I'm 51, you've inspired me to do this, starting tomorrow.

[@Denshin99]

I wish you the best of luck! : )

[@teenagemand2362]

Sea Mac progress ?

[@andreasb5354]

I started handstand training in Nov 2020 when I was 50. In Dec 2021 I was able to stand 30 seconds in our living room beside the Christmas tree without felling the tree.

[@TysonE]

Impressive progress Matt! I really appreciated the editing on this vid, it was such a great style to tell the story.

[@Matthewismith]

Thanks Tyson, means a lot coming from you. I remember watching your weightlifting and gymnastic journeys when I was first starting out. Certainly part of the inspiration, so thank you for putting out the content you have!

[@Meeeeeeeeeeeeh34]

Dam the music is getting me pumped for the progress

[@krandom9283]

That is a Banging TOOOOOOOOOON ...I agree.

[@amikkr9464]

The Song is Real Good feeling

[@user-vg2ok5ep1m]

I need the name of it

[@amikkr9464]

@@user-vg2ok5ep1m Real Good Feeling

[@n8nelson2003]

Agreed. Great tune

[@jaysysumakaRatMaster3]

My journey is just beginning at 43 years old after 15 years of lower back pain with debilitating symptoms and a year after a wrist injury which causes me pain even after a few press-ups. Now I want to regain control of my life... Handstands are my goal. A 1 arm handstand isn’t even a dream right now but to planche and handstand is certainly an aim for the future. Hats off to your persistence but my battle is with physical ability and anxiety... fear....TMS... Tension Myonural Syndrome. Or To Much Stress as it’s fast becoming known as. Bring it on 👍🏼

[@99nine90]

Jay Sysum a.k.a Rat Master 3 You got this man!

[@scuiped8176]

Awesome!!

[@noahatlas5240]

I believe in you Mr. Jay!!!!

[@jaysysumakaRatMaster3]

yon shaish planche or one arm handstands aren’t even on my radar right now.... a basic handstand is where I’m at. Looking at the big picture here it’s gonna be months if not years before I’m physically strong enough to do either. I certainly don’t think there’s anything easy about callisthenics movements that’s for sure. All of them require hard training and commitment.👍🏼

[@Ruzzky_Bly4t]

@@jaysysumakaRatMaster3 true

[@mansisingh2336]

Thanks for being so real about the consistency , hard work and the help/coaching it took. It's very inspiring.

[@tuzobarca]

Who's seeing this while in quarantine? I'm gonna start training for this

[@naigellee4682]

quarantine ends 5 days afterwards... aight train or back out to the bars and grills ... bars and grills it is 😂🤣

[@micahwaller880]

Any progress?

[@duruiz]

I'm with you! :)

[@quennortje7821]

How's the 1 month progresa going?

[@dawidz2824]

How is 9 month progres bro ?

[@javsama1]

The iguana: sorry sorry sorry just passing by

[@prachand.not.prachanda]

3:33

[@Nipajim]

Definitely the highlight... 😁

[@AViewCado69420]

The path and choices he head taken in his life had led to this

[@obriang904]

This made me feel overjoyed just watching this.

[@b07_ashishsuradkar49]

You have proved once again that practice makes us perfect and nothing is impossible.great job sir.huge respect to you.

[@mariaahmed1695]

it’s honestly awesome how you stayed motivated i really respect that it’s hard

[@amalz8]

2:13 that girl in the background 😂🤣

[@prakhar9473]

LMAO

[@PietroGrandi909]

now I can't stop seeing her 🤣

[@chandrasekharrayasam4544]

I thought I was the only one who noticed it. LOL

[@amritas2400]

😂😂😂

[@Christian_509]

She's trying to do a jutsu

[@MrRahul169vicky]

Editing team should get an "Oscar" for sure.

[@Sam-sb2sq]

Agreed

[@DontTouchThatPootisBird]

I have been practicing for 4 months. I still cant start off a handstand without first touching the wall. Even after kicking off the wall my longest handstand has been 5 seconds. I've practiced everyday about maybe 5-10 minutes. Thank you for reigniting hope that one day I can do a handstand

[@theoopps2175]

I, myself , on the journey to master handstand, and have been able to hold for 15 seconds consistency, and keep coming back to your video. It's really motivate me to keep practicing handstand. THANK YOU.

[@cubershil6298]

Hey man you are an absolute legend in handstands and editing

[@nivbekerman1933]

Amazing. very impressive brother keep going!!

[@royisadude]

I love that you put how much time this took! Very motivating to see how much hard work went into this. Every wants things super quickly these days and with all the new “fitness experts” claiming everything can be in like say 21 days, it’s refreshing to see someone with integrity. Sure it would be nice to have it quickly, but it just means that much more once you can say how much you worked for it! Good job man! Lots of respect.

[@navenabdelrahman7930]

You are a true man to commit to something and get to do it, keep it up and you will be able to do what ever you want

[@rollingstonesonroad]

This just shows how patience, persistence and perseverance is all that we need to achieve to what we set out goals to. It's so heartening to see this. I can't even imagine how much time and effort must have gone into this. True inspiration for all. 👌👌

[@brandoncheshire859]

This is amazing, bro! I’ve been progressing for almost a year and I am still having some trouble balancing consistently. But I have been able to straddle and am working towards the 1 arm. Thanks for this video! So motivating!

[@lazenbytim]

These videos are SO important for people to see that ANYTHING is possible with dedication and hard work. Nice one mate.

[@pkfitnesshub]

Man, one of the best transformation videos I watched. Just held my first 12 sec two arm freestand. Getting there!

[@meowmeow7440]

day 5 at 12:00 am: I'm wandering across youtube. youtube: *hey wanna see somebody doing handstands?* me: nah brain: *don't waste the opportunity , watch it*

[@mayoooketchup]

That makes two of us!

[@skirtch9298]

3 now

[@sultanalsuwaidi2588]

4 of us

[@myriampro4973]

1:28 am, YT may think I am giving up the electro swing thing, and throws me this. Another quarantine goal...

[@annabandana9889]

I really appreciate the timeline since it feels realistic and makes me feel better about my own progress 😭

[@haveyoueva.nevaeva]

You deserve those likes. I got goosebumps constantly while seeing your progress - you amazed me not by doing handstands but by continuously trying and trying and trying till it's possible. I would love to give you applause if I was with you. Keep it up 👏🏾

[@megad6679]

Your tutorials are the most effective ones I have seen. I have watched many instructional videos and never got it. With yours I just understood the principles and got from 3 seconds to 10 seconds in about 3 weeks without regular practice. I am still experiencing pain in the wrists when I practice for a longer period of time, but I noticed that a good warmup helps. Still inconsistent results but I actually balance and I feel in control most of the time. It feels that I just need practice and it is happening. Thank you

[@hardboiled7467]

"You think I cant handstand without hands? Handstand come from the heart, let me show you my zero hand"

[@sultanalsuwaidi2588]

NETERO ? 😂 from HXH

[@invincible794]

Lol

[@SCARLUIS-nk2sk]

The journey ends : I forgot how to stand on my feets

[@FindAWayGymnastics]

You also forgot how to English...

[@battateddybear6191]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@MonsterPumpkin]

From Zero To One Foot/ My journey on learning to walk again

[@user-ug2xi5dz3m]

*feet

[@_eko_ill.1779]

@@user-ug2xi5dz3m feets is funnier

[@kalianayoga9808]

Such a GREAT VIDEO! I work on my handstands every day and honestly it just takes consistency to get better and this video shows just that.

[@shirosh809]

i have full on respect for you! dedicating 3 years for this..great job! you killed it!

[@terminaldeity]

I used to be a competitive gymnast when I was young. Now, here I am, more than 20 years later trying to retrain my body do that stuff. The muscle memory is still there, but I'm not nearly as flexible as I was back then and my joints get angry at me. Still, love training handstands. Good fun, and great calisthenic workout.

[@Madmax-Gaming]

U r just ....., I have no world. How to appreciate this hard work, awesome.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@daniellelukin4536]

This is do inspiring!! I have resently started consistently working on elbow stands and handstands and I'm already seeing such an improvement! It's such a good feeling and so empowering to see yourself improve on a goal you have

[@geogreandraws1053]

Big respect,Keep it going, u just motivated someone

[@joaopedromoreira7638]

Respect from Brasil brother!

[@jetw9522]

@matthewismith When I saw the first time you achieved One hand handstand, I got so excited for you. As if I see myself doing it hopefully not a too far future. Thank you for giving me hope.🙏❤

[@antoineblanchard8133]

man, respect for your perseverance

[@lindsayki1666]

The muscle he grew over this video looks insane

[@ccg2301]

You've made me realize I have a long road a head of me... I've just started training handstand for almost 4 months now and just achieved my first 10 secs hold. Now at least i have an idea how of far ahead my finish line is. Thank you and keep it up bro. God bless.

[@DontTouchThatPootisBird]

I have been training every day four 4 months and I can do a 3 second no wall hold :( I am glad that you can do a real handstand as it gives me hope.

[@ccg2301]

@@DontTouchThatPootisBird Keep at it bro... at some point it suddenly gets easier to find the center of gravity and hold it, it's just a matter of time... We'll get there soon too.

[@RunningWithDanny]

What an incredible and inspiring vlog, I know we shouldn't compare our own journey to anyone else but this gives me hope, I've been practicing handstands 4-6 days a week without fail since March 1st 2021, so 4 full months. From zero to now, somedays are good and some days I can't even hold my kick up, it can be very frustrating and sometimes feel like getting nowhere. I'll be honest, I thought I'd have it wrapped up by now but now I realise it's a skill that you fine tune forever. Again I see the time scale on this and it give me that little boost I needed and hit the subscribe button Thank you 😊

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Extraordinary. How lovely to hear your modesty in passing this on to others.

[@delasao]

im almost not able to stand with 2 legs and this guy is standing with one arm

[@Ericliaoo]

damn, amazing edits and crazy progress. good job!

[@hatteeamohammadsameer8964]

And I did all of this in my teenage age without having any coach, just practised 3 hours daily, now I can do the two hands stand only, you get this one for life, just need to remain a little bit in shape, still hard work always pays off so nice video and respect for all the efforts..... 👍

[@gabe2777]

man the patience and dedication that went into this kudos to you

[@sarim1967]

Respect!

[@watz7316]

Impressive and motivational.

[@christianfrenz631]

Great perseverance displayed! True Champion!

[@joyfulmama-evibodman8471]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this. So inspiring! And a big WOW to your consistency over such a long time - very impressive !

[@VincentGBE]

I wish I had documented my handstand journey like this🙈 Realy nice Progress!

[@anasullahkhan4042]

Vincent Berger what if I say that you can still make the journey video by pretending to fail in the beginning. Just saying 😑

[@muthu87k]

Now he is a teacher

[@JustLIkerapunzel]

Muthu Kumaran as ome of his online students - yes he‘s great! I had a coiple of coaches before but his methods really work well for me ☺️

[@Matthewismith]

@@JustLIkerapunzel Thanks Nino, you're a star!

[@maiqderluegner6621]

@@Matthewismith where can we reach out to you as a coach?

[@Matthewismith]

@@maiqderluegner6621 through matthewismith.com/ 🤙

[@karlogavran3305]

Student has become a teacher

[@alexanderprince8032]

Absolutely brilliant. This was very motivating and well put together!

[@manumaunman]

I wanted to do that same as I thought about it 2 years back; Your video realized me the difference between thinking and doing.

[@neofazodona]

just to remind ourselfs: humans are amazing, but it takes time and effort

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

Great video by the way

[@bernardjohnson3976]

You sir, are amazing. Thank you for that inspirational video.

[@gam940]

I have been working on handstands for almost a year now. I didn't think I was improving , still using wall for balance. After watching the video, I will reapply myself, using some new techniques . Thanks for the motivation

[@taco5729]

This is so god damm motivational and inspirational, ima perfect my handstand now :)

[@frodeus]

If this comment gets any likes I will start training for this, promising this to myself.

[@Heather-fx7sr]

How’s the training going?

[@allebus]

Slow and steady wins the race. Brilliant, mate! Tons of hard work. Cheers, and keep improving!

[@jn8922]

As someone that throws the towel in everytime something is difficult, the dedication and the will to accomplish what you set out to do, really amazed me.

[@iagomota4649]

"from zero to one arm" I mean Wouldn't that be a downgrade?

[@koray3774]

lol

[@BeretBay]

If you look at it that way yes, but you know what he meant.

[@avinashsudhanshu]

This comment is underrrated

[@ikeshavnagpal]

from 2 legs to 1 arm

[@romin_1122]

Took me time to understand 😂

[@odysthenics9693]

Respect

[@lauraschoen5860]

I am just starting my handstand journey. This video was truly inspirational!

[@camillegerard7180]

This might be the most inspiring video I've ever seen... You're amazing

[@zen3t192]

Damn, i will join the journey And start make my own journey Damn, so much pain

[@diljotsingh7143]

2:47 👀 amazing

[@kimsakamoto]

WOW. YOU are inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing your journey. So impressive! Might have to give it a try.

[@ayushnautiyal9469]

You are a man of consistency

[@woosh_police4018]

Imagine his mom walked in his room and found him just hanging on one arm

[@shaneconnor7133]

This is amazing. Very motivational. Through this journey, we're u training everyday? And also were u doing any other form of training(yoga, weights, calisthenics..etc), or just handstands

[@pandaplutten2573]

Very impressive and inspirational (and fun) to watch!

[@vicecream6074]

One of the best videos I've seen. Well done

[@stylianosconstantinou1929]

This guy has been upside down longer than i have been normally walking 😂

[@derekxiaoEvanescentBliss]

Are you six years old????

[@Ruzzky_Bly4t]

@@derekxiaoEvanescentBliss 0.0001 years probably)

[@Angora69100]

The ultimate goal: Flying 😂 On a serious note, really good job 👏

[@halfnowhalflater3131]

Great job! That is pure determination. You have inspired me! Congratulations!

[@Weidenroeschen]

I love this. This is so cool and motivating, eventhough it took you a while, it seems more relatable. I think the best part is, that I can see how you started to use your hands differently to keep balance. That is the part I am working on right now. Keep up :)

[@yuveenahazareesing1952]

I mean....this is incredible.....I can't even stand properly on my on feet😂

[@m.pavankalyan3206]

3:33 :- some other say hi😂

[@lecapitalist]

Omg😂🤣

[@thejakeballs]

@@lecapitalist 💚

[@Samarth.11]

the happiness after doing your first handtsand pushup cannot be expressed!

[@shishu926]

Respect for all the hardworking people 👍🏻