The handstand challenge: having a partner to practice with helps you learn

Handstand practice can be a lonely business - I mean, the wall's extremely supportive, but there's only so much interaction with it. Working out with a partner is a great way to get support as well as motivation to keep up the much-needed regular practice to pull off the move.

So for week three of the five-week handstand challenge at Pure Fitness, my gymnastic movement coach Amy Ridge had her counterpart, Thomas Rawlinson, join the session to demonstrate some partner practice moves.

Like Ridge, Rawlinson hails from Britain and has been involved in the sport for more than two decades. He started gymnastics at age seven and by 11 he was in the British national team. A three-time British champion, Rawlinson has also coached two national champions. Prior to joining Pure, he spent more than two years performing in the Macau circus show The House of Dancing Water.

Watch: Rawlinson and Ridge show you how an extra pair of eyes can help

Now, you probably won't get a practice partner of the same pedigree, but it doesn't matter. Just having someone there standing ready to catch you or even just steady your legs could boost your confidence and practice quality.