Also known as: half cartwheel, small cartwheel, mini cw, cartwheel drill, starter cartwheel

What is Mini Cartwheel?

Mini Cartwheel is an easy bodyweight cartwheel variation that rotates your legs while briefly supporting weight on your hands. It primarily targets core, shoulders, triceps and chest while engaging forearms and trapezius. Suitable for beginners, it builds coordination, shoulder stability and safe landing mechanics.

How to Do Mini Cartwheel

  1. Ready position: Stand tall with feet together, brace your core and relax shoulders; take a deep breath to prepare for a controlled, balanced push into the movement.
  2. Place hands: Hinge at the hips and place both hands on the floor just outside your feet, fingers spread wide to protect wrists and improve stability.
  3. Push and lift: Push evenly through both feet to lift your hips and legs, keeping arms engaged and a slight elbow bend to avoid locking joints.
  4. Swing legs: Swing both legs in a controlled arc while reaching your hands upward; maintain core tension and spot your landing to control rotation.
  5. Soft landing: Land softly on both feet with knees slightly bent, absorb impact through hips and legs, then reset posture and breathe before repeating.

Muscle Groups

Triceps, Chest, Core, Shoulders, Trapezius, Forearm

Description

Stand with feet together, reach both hands down to touch the floor outside your feet, push off with both feet to lift both legs up, swing both legs around while reaching both hands up, and then land softly on both feet.
Movement Group: Push
Equipment: None (bodyweight only)

Progressions and Regressions

None

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of the Mini Cartwheel?

The Mini Cartwheel improves core strength, shoulder stability, coordination and proprioception while training safe landing mechanics. It requires no equipment and helps build confidence for fuller gymnastics skills.

What are common mistakes when doing a Mini Cartwheel?

Common errors include placing hands too close or far from feet, collapsing shoulders, straight locking of arms, and not spotting the landing. Correct with shoulder engagement, proper hand placement and bent knees on landing.

How can I progress or regress the Mini Cartwheel?

Regress with partial weight shifts or wall-assisted swings and practice hand placements. Progress to a fuller cartwheel, add height on the push-off, or combine with single-leg variations for more balance demand.