goergen1
08-01-2007, 06:38 PM
“Not More, Just Better”
by Richard Sorin
In my last installation I spoke about the direct affect the implements used by the old time strong men played in the development of my grip strength training regimen. As I stated before, I think in many ways it is better building grip strength in a collateral way by not adding exercises to an already overburdened routine, but to change the actual shape and size of the equipment being lifted to achieve the desired effect.
People are often thrifty with their money, stretching their dollar to cover as many needs as possible, many times in the end, being left with a whole lot of nothing. In this case, they put minimal amount of resources towards multiple projects, never really getting one high quality, finished product. This parallels how most people workout, many exercises that are so off-the-wall, and non-related, that a substantial amount of weight can never be used, or proper form ever developed. With limited amount of workout time (which is due to hectic work schedules) a lifter would be better off taking one basic, solid exercise and add or dress it up so the training effect is at a maximum level.
Let’s look at a typical application example. Everyone does curls, and it is a good exercise, but limited in the overall body results for the time expended. Alrighty, you ask, what should we do? Add more arm specific exercises? How about… IMPROVE the good ‘ole curl.
First of all, by turning your hands over into a reverse curl position, you add far more muscle involvement of the forearms. Then perhaps move your thumbs to the top of the bar…even better! Alright, now take this exercise and kick it up another notch and progressively add thicker bars to use. Now in this simple example you have just seen how a good, basic, exercise becomes a great finger, wrist and biceps exercise. Remember, not more exercises, just better ones.
One last point I should touch on is even the best of us get knocked off the trail to our goal of developing real strength. Progression, rest and intensity… you must have all three in order to develop strength, not endurance or muscle size as many of us have drifted towards. As soon as possible when using grippers or barbells lower the reps and add the weight. Doing 35 reps with a #1 gripper will do little in gaining the strength edge on closing a #3! Doing sets of 10 reps is nice if we are bodybuilding, but when the goal is for a maximum lift or record squeeze, we must train toward this end and no other. As with all world-class athletes, remember…stimulate (progressive intensity) don’t annihilate for growth! As a final note, the muscles only grow when at rest and this is an integral part of the strength acquisition cycle which should not be overlooked.
Live Strong!
RS
by Richard Sorin
In my last installation I spoke about the direct affect the implements used by the old time strong men played in the development of my grip strength training regimen. As I stated before, I think in many ways it is better building grip strength in a collateral way by not adding exercises to an already overburdened routine, but to change the actual shape and size of the equipment being lifted to achieve the desired effect.
People are often thrifty with their money, stretching their dollar to cover as many needs as possible, many times in the end, being left with a whole lot of nothing. In this case, they put minimal amount of resources towards multiple projects, never really getting one high quality, finished product. This parallels how most people workout, many exercises that are so off-the-wall, and non-related, that a substantial amount of weight can never be used, or proper form ever developed. With limited amount of workout time (which is due to hectic work schedules) a lifter would be better off taking one basic, solid exercise and add or dress it up so the training effect is at a maximum level.
Let’s look at a typical application example. Everyone does curls, and it is a good exercise, but limited in the overall body results for the time expended. Alrighty, you ask, what should we do? Add more arm specific exercises? How about… IMPROVE the good ‘ole curl.
First of all, by turning your hands over into a reverse curl position, you add far more muscle involvement of the forearms. Then perhaps move your thumbs to the top of the bar…even better! Alright, now take this exercise and kick it up another notch and progressively add thicker bars to use. Now in this simple example you have just seen how a good, basic, exercise becomes a great finger, wrist and biceps exercise. Remember, not more exercises, just better ones.
One last point I should touch on is even the best of us get knocked off the trail to our goal of developing real strength. Progression, rest and intensity… you must have all three in order to develop strength, not endurance or muscle size as many of us have drifted towards. As soon as possible when using grippers or barbells lower the reps and add the weight. Doing 35 reps with a #1 gripper will do little in gaining the strength edge on closing a #3! Doing sets of 10 reps is nice if we are bodybuilding, but when the goal is for a maximum lift or record squeeze, we must train toward this end and no other. As with all world-class athletes, remember…stimulate (progressive intensity) don’t annihilate for growth! As a final note, the muscles only grow when at rest and this is an integral part of the strength acquisition cycle which should not be overlooked.
Live Strong!
RS