My NROL Experience - Page 16 - JP Fitness Forums

bigDman · 09-09-2007, 11:04 AM

Stingo. i would skip toe sport model and go straight to the #1

You will be suprised just how much easier the grippers get once you learn how to close them. And how to hold them in your hands. You may also want to look into heavygrips cause they sell package deals for a discount. They are not as wide and not as consistent but still very good. The main difference is they are skinnier and not as wide apart(the handles that is)

www.heavygrips.com/

Lost Dog · 09-09-2007, 02:04 PM

Nice progress on the grip. I need to do more of that stuff.

stingo · 09-09-2007, 02:09 PM

bigDman - I kind of suspected that might be the case... Rather than strength being developed it was more learning how to use them in the left hand. I think it's a mixture of the two - but am glad for the progress nonetheless.

Roland - This came about because I was having problems holding on to the heavier dumbbells for my bigger lifts, as well as having to stop my hanging knee raises due to faltering grip.

Victoria · 09-09-2007, 07:16 PM

Stingo, I worked my way through Ross's I.I. this weekend and he talks about using dumbbells with a wider diameter bar to help build grip strength. For example, standard db handles are around 1" in diameter. He modifies his own by wrapping duct tape (what is it with you guys and duct tape) to make it 2"-3" diameter. The thicker bar will automatically add a grip workout to your exercise. I've also tried switching to a barbell on my shoulders for certain exercises and that has helped, too.

L'ilJ · 09-09-2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria

Stingo, I worked my way through Ross's I.I. this weekend and he talks about using dumbbells with a wider diameter bar to help build grip strength. For example, standard db handles are around 1" in diameter. He modifies his own by wrapping duct tape (what is it with you guys and duct tape) to make it 2"-3" diameter. The thicker bar will automatically add a grip workout to your exercise. I've also tried switching to a barbell on my shoulders for certain exercises and that has helped, too.

Look at Victoria, spouting off some Ross Wisdom!

Victoria · 09-09-2007, 08:03 PM

Oh yeah....I'm a real smartie now!!

lance02 · 09-09-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingo

A small progress note: I've been trying to build my grip strength so as to be ready for heavier lifts that require it. Toward that end I bought the Captains of Crush Guide gripper (the entry level model - 60lbs). I was able to close it with the right hand, but not with the left. I just tried the left today and was able to close it for 10 reps. Guess I can move up to the Sport model (80 lbs) now.

Cool! You're getting stronger all over.

Egham · 09-10-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria

Stingo, I worked my way through Ross's I.I. this weekend and he talks about using dumbbells with a wider diameter bar to help build grip strength. For example, standard db handles are around 1" in diameter. He modifies his own by wrapping duct tape (what is it with you guys and duct tape) to make it 2"-3" diameter. The thicker bar will automatically add a grip workout to your exercise. I've also tried switching to a barbell on my shoulders for certain exercises and that has helped, too.

I've actually done this with my DBs since reading II. You can really feel the difference. I have high expectations.

RacerBill · 09-10-2007, 02:12 PM

Popcorn sound interesting. Back when Two Hot Tamales were on Food Network, they made curry popcorn that was pretty much the same recipe, just with curry powder instead of cumin.

Re your comment in Jill's log -- YES, it would be a great idea for you to include mobility work. Don't wait until you develop a problem down the line (speaking from experience!). It doesn't have to be as elaborate as Jill's routine.

stingo · 09-10-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerBill

Popcorn sound interesting. Back when Two Hot Tamales were on Food Network, they made curry popcorn that was pretty much the same recipe, just with curry powder instead of cumin.

Re your comment in Jill's log -- YES, it would be a great idea for you to include mobility work. Don't wait until you develop a problem down the line (speaking from experience!). It doesn't have to be as elaborate as Jill's routine.

Thanks Bill - I was thinking about ordering Magnificent Mobility and starting with that. Any opinions on the book?

stingo · 09-10-2007, 03:08 PM

60 seconds rest between giant sets, no rest between exercises

Front Squat 4x12@100
Under Lat Pulldown 4x12@35
Step Up (Bench) 4x12@40
DB Push Press 4x12@40

Squat 2x20@100
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown 2x20@90
Step Up (Step) 2x20@30
DB Shoulder Press 2x20@35

Swiss Ball Crunch (feet on bosu ball) 2x10

Notes:
A good workout today, though I must've done too much grip training yesterday as my left hand was not able to withstand the entire workout this time around. Still, I'm heartened by my progress in terms of weights used.

missjane · 09-10-2007, 03:15 PM

That workout looks awesome!!! What's the difference between the step-ups in each of the supersets? One higher than the other?

L'ilJ · 09-10-2007, 03:18 PM

Nice work Tom! You are really making tremendous progress. Yay!

stingo · 09-10-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

That workout looks awesome!!! What's the difference between the step-ups in each of the supersets? One higher than the other?

Yes - for the first set I use the weight bench, the second I use a Reebok aerobic step (which is about half the height of the weight bench). Next time I might start transitioning to using the bench for both.

I should also mention I do the underhanded lat pulldown on the functional trainer, since I'm already doing the front squats (saves me running around the gym). The two weight stacks are independent of each other so I list the weight from one of the stacks. The wide grip lat pulldown is done on the lat machine, which has a single weight stack.

stingo · 09-10-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L'ilJ

Nice work Tom! You are really making tremendous progress. Yay!

Thanks Jill - B2 felt a lot more difficult than A2, but I think that's because I'm closer to my working weights now. The step ups were kind of a forced decision because the person I train at the same time with needed the 15s, so the only choice left was the 20s. I'm still surprised I survived.

lance02 · 09-10-2007, 08:38 PM

Impressive workout - especially the front squats. I always find them difficult to do.

stingo · 09-11-2007, 07:31 AM

I managed to get a friend of mine to start NROL, and she's doing Fat Loss I. We've gotten into the habit of getting to the gym and doing the warmups together. Later on yesterday she mentioned how effortless I made the t-pushups look (she's been working on hers since she started NROL). I couldn't help but smile o