description Tiger Bend Overview
The tiger bend is an acrobatic movement that begins from a handstand or a closely related inverted position and uses the arms to initiate a backward rotation. Depending on the version, the performer bends through the elbows or forearms before pressing or pushing back toward the feet. The skill requires substantial upper-body strength, balance, shoulder control, and spatial awareness, and is practiced in disciplines that include floor acrobatics and trampoline-related movement.
help Tiger Bend FAQ
What is a tiger bend in hand balancing?
It's a movement that starts from a handstand, bends through the elbows so the forearms come down toward the floor, and then presses or pushes back up toward the inverted position. Depending on the variation, it can pass through a forearm stand on the way.
How is a tiger bend different from a handstand push-up?
In a handstand push-up the elbows bend but the movement stays in a pressing arc under the shoulders. In a tiger bend, the forearms actually lower to the floor (typically into a forearm stand) before you press back up to straight arms, making it a longer-range, more technical press.
What strength do you need before training the tiger bend?
You want a confident freestanding handstand, solid handstand push-ups, and comfort holding a forearm stand. Shoulder and triceps pressing strength is the limiting factor, since you're pressing from the forearm position back to full extension.
Where is the tiger bend actually used?
It's a staple in circus hand balancing and has crossed over into gymnastics strength work, breakdancing (as a transition into forearm freezes), and calisthenics, where 'tiger bend push-ups' are a known advanced pressing variation.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
