Simone Biles participating in the handstand challenge

Simone Biles/Twitter Brooke Sjoberg

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles creates a ‘handstand challenge’ that almost nobody can do

'I can barely take off my shirt while standing on my feet.'

 

Brooke Sjoberg

Internet Culture

Posted on Apr 12, 2020

Quarantine has bred a multitude of online challenges. The newest one: taking off your sweatpants while in a handstand, created by Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.

The 23-year-old gymnast posted a video to her Twitter account of herself toeing off her sweatpants—while in a handstand—in under 60 seconds, calling it the “handstand challenge.”

https://twitter.com/Simone_Biles/status/1249081262939287553

Biles’ challenge has inspired many to do the same, either beating her time or making a valiant effort to do so. This proud dad shared a video of his daughter completing the challenge by fully removing her pants, which in literally any other context sounds completely bizarre.

“My daughter loves you and took your challenge,” Twitter user @boyd220 wrote.

https://twitter.com/boyd220/status/1249162790998343687

People with varying degrees of gymnastic experience are attempting the challenge from Biles, with multiple citing her as an inspiration for practicing gymnastics in their daily life.

“Not as coordinated as Simones, but a valiant effort from a washed up athlete, I must say,” Twitter user @gabriellelaub wrote.

https://twitter.com/gabrielleelaub/status/1249160306103902210

Others listed the many reasons that prevented them from attempting Biles’ handstand challenge. Let’s be real. It takes some serious upper-arm strength to lift your whole body above your head, but removing clothes is a whole other ball game.

“My arms hurt when I carry the groceries from my car to the house please don’t make me do this,” Twitter user @endofanerajc wrote.

Chrissy Teigen, for example, can’t even take pants off by herself.

“Simone I have to lay down and have someone else do it normally,” Teigen wrote.

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*First Published: Apr 12, 2020, 7:27 pm CDT