Cartwheel
Beginner
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5035 riders can do it
A sideways inverted movement where both hands reach the ground one at a time to support the body as each leg swings over.
How do it
The cartwheel is a basic and common gymnastics skill that will strengthen your upper body and help you work your way up to more advanced moves.
1.
To prepare for a cartwheel, you should stretch your wrists, your ankles, and your hamstrings and inner thighs by sitting in a straddle position and reaching toward the ground in front of you.
2.
Imagine a straight line on the ground. Your feet should both be on the line.
3.
Put your leading foot in front of the other, pointing them both in the direction you will be going.
4.
Look down at the spot where you are going to place your hands. This will help you control your aim and avoid becoming disoriented.
5.
Plant your lead hand on the ground in front of you as you begin to turn your body upside down. If you pointed your left foot, then sweep your left arm down until that hand hits the ground just past the point where your left foot is pointing.
6.
While your first arm goes down, your opposite leg should be coming up. The foot you pointed will rise last as you gain more momentum.
7.
Your second hand will land on the floor just after the first, shoulder's length apart from it.
8.
Use your arms to push off the ground in a popping motion. This is where having one hand facing inward comes in handy.
9.
Plant your second hand and straddle your legs in the air. Kick powerfully so your legs come off the ground. You'll be balancing your weight on your arms, using your shoulders and core for support, like a handstand, with your legs in the air in a v‑shape, or a straddle.
10.
Land on your non‑dominant foot. As the hand you started with leaves the ground, the opposite leg should swing down just past your other hand on the imaginary line. Once that foot is firmly on the ground, your second hand will lift off of the ground as your final foot swings down.