The TikTok headstand challenge will blow you away

If you're a pro yogi, give the TikTok headstand challenge a try. Beginners should ease their way into the trendy move

TikTok headstand challenge woman in yoga studio on mat standing on her head
(Image credit: Kilito Chan/Getty Images)

Who needs a gym membership when you have a FYP? The TikTok headstand challenge is the latest fitness trend to sweep through feeds. 

On the heels of the Hot Girl Walk, the Cupid Shuffle and the 12/3/30 workout routine, this new yoga-inspired trick will satisfy the "zen" vibes you're craving and make you say "namaste," so grab the best yoga mats from your collection.

Do be warned: this isn't a routine for those who've just discovered yoga, so do be cautious before attempting and seek professional guidance if necessary. Never exert yourself and risk an injury if you feel uneasy.

TikTok headstand challenge

So, what exactly is this trendy new wellness fad? Let's turn to its founder, Bryce McKenzie, a Gumby-like figure who seemingly has no issue with limbs or weight. 

He begins in what appears to be a high plank before transitioning to a headstand, and then he uses ninja abilities to flip back on his feet when all is said and done. While some of us might get dizzy just looking at the clip, he nonchalantly makes it seem like any 'ol yoga routine. (Child's pose it's not.)

Unsurprisingly, his agility has garnered over six million views and copycat styles all over the platform. 

@brycemckenzie

How about this for a challenge?

♬ original sound - Ian Asher

Some TikTokers decided to shake things up with a mid-air split—definitely no easy feat.

@courtneyhodgson1999

♬ original sound - Ian Asher

Others have opted for a simpler landing than McKenzie's kick and gracefully get back on their feet, one at a time. (Some of us might not have even left the ground.) 

@tbrosnahan

♬ original sound - Ian Asher

We even caught brave souls looking to do a few wiggle waggles while balancing on their head. (Some of us find those moves challenging when we're simply standing on our feet.)

@humberlyg

♬ original sound - Ian Asher

It's no surprise that the new fad has been yoga related, especially coming into the nurturing, down-low Cancer season. According to the pros, 2022 fitness trends have seen a demand in yoga for its emotional and physical benefits. 

"Pilates and yoga have had an increase," Dan Savage, personal trainer at A Body Forever previously told My Imperfect Life. "They're home workout exercises we could participate in with limited space and equipment. Also, there's a mental health side of it—we know pilates and yoga fall into the mind and body section." 

A few tips

If you are new to the practice and wondering which yoga is best for beginners, do follow our professionally-backed guide.  

Kat Farrants, founder of the online yoga platform Movement For Modern Lifesuggests you begin with hatha or restorative yoga before trying ultra-complicated moves like the TikTok headstand challenge. 

"The former is great for beginners since it is a slower-paced style, focused on building strength and calming your mind—where you hold the poses for longer, allowing you to familiarize yourself with each pose," she previously told My Imperfect Life. "Similarly, the latter, which works to release habitual, long-held tension, involves long, passive stretches supported by props."

Work with some yoga accessories and the best resistance bands for yoga before attempting to put your own spin on McKenzie's trendy trick. There are no filters with this viral video—it's as challenging as it looks if you're inexperienced.

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.