training the grip

[Jesse Marunde]

I like to keep my grip training simple. here's a few peices of advise from me-

-always work 'grip' into every exercise.
-double overhand deads untill it gets too heavy, then supinate one hand.
-don't put chalk on till you need it.
-Use thick bars for all kinds of stuff that you usually woulnd't- curls, tri presses, overhead presses, and even CHINS!!
-use a variety of tools for holding onto while performing pullups; towels, thick bars, eagle loops from ironmind.com and my favorite CHINS WHILE HOLDING #3 grippers! I use rope to tie 2 grippers to the chin bar, grab em and chin!
-don't be afraid to feel ALOT of discomfort in your hands and forarms while performing exercises like rows, upright rows, hammer curls, powercleans, stiff leg deadlifts etc.
-NO STRAPS! if you can't hold on to it, why bother lifting it? in the real world you cant stop to put straps on when you are moving your couch or whatever. If you can deadlift 600 pounds with straps on and 550 without, you're a 550 pound deadlifter.
Jess

[SqeezeMasterFlash]

That chinning idea is awesome! I'd probably use a pair of #2's though :o Do you have a video of that? I'd be awesome to see.

As far as straps go I agree with you about not using them in training unless I'm training for a contest that allows them. Then I want the rest of my body to be able to handle the extra weight that I'll be up against in contest conditions.

I like to keep grippers at work too. A max effort squeeze every hour or so will bring results without leaving you too spent for specific grip work during your regular training.

[Jesse Marunde]

I agree with the idea of smashing something every couple hours. You don't get overly fatigued or too sore the next day. I've over trained my grip often enough so I keep my specific grip down to no more than two days per week, and usually only one. But like I stated above, I work grip into everything else.

I'm planning on a video showing my chin up sequence using 6 different grips. I'll put it up as soon as I shoot it.

Jesse

[Sybersnott]

Jesse,

I'm a huge believer in using grip machines, and I use them to build my crushing grip. Have you ever used one? What do you think about them, and what other types of equipment do you use to grip train with besides training with the grippers?

John

[der Koning]

Hey Sybersnott,

I know you've trained grip extensively have you closed the #4 yet? Have you been working on it?