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collegekid
May 19, 2007, 6:19 AM
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Registered: Jul 7, 2002
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Ok, so aside from it's application to climbing, I have started a side-hobby of grip strength and forearm training.
I just ordered a bunch of stuff from www.ironmind.com and now realize this is going to get more, not less addictive very soon, when my order comes in...
Anyway, wondering if anyone out there has started doing the "captains of crush" grippers. I ordered the step below #1 (80 lbs?), the "titan's telegraph key" to start training dynamic pinch strength, and the "hand health kit" that includes extensor training bands.
Currently, I use some pinch blocks I made by hand and do heavy finger rolls at the gym, in addition to using my gym's wrist strengthener machine and doing some extensor exercises with a cheap store-bought grip thing.
My girlfriend (jokingly) told me she'd break up with me if my forearms get too disproportionate to my body (my forearms are approaching the size of my skinny calves). :) I tell her my goal is to look like popeye--skinny everywhere but my forearms.
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vbhide
May 20, 2007, 7:43 AM
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Registered: Sep 24, 2004
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Good for you... just make sure u don't get injured.
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Thyrfing
May 20, 2007, 10:29 PM
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Registered: May 20, 2007
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Nice, I've got the #1 and #2 Captains of Crush grippers. After training for a bit I can close the #2, but I'm not even going to bother ordering the #3 yet..the jump is huge.
Are the extensor bands just thick rubber bands? I've been looking into those but don't want to get them if I can go to staples and get them for a buck.
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collegekid
May 21, 2007, 4:46 AM
Post #4 of 8
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I haven't received them yet, but they appear to be more advanced than just rubber bands. The set on Ironmind comes with 10 different levels of difficulty, with two bands for each level (one for each hand).
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mangiacapra
May 27, 2007, 5:44 PM
Post #5 of 8
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Registered: Jan 28, 2006
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I've been looking into getting some pinch excersizers from Ironmind but have no idea what's good and what's not, any reccomendations?
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juststrange
May 28, 2007, 1:59 AM
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Registered: Jul 31, 2004
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I bought a full set from heavy grips, i could close the 150 and 100 at first, with a week or so and some technque i closed the 200. I think the 250 is close to going, i just need to train more. Thier website has a decent schedule to it too. Looking into bending red nails or levering sledges yet??
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collegekid
May 28, 2007, 6:34 AM
Post #7 of 8
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mangiacapra wrote: I've been looking into getting some pinch excersizers from Ironmind but have no idea what's good and what's not, any reccomendations?
Well, my order came in on friday. The "titan's telegraph key" seems pretty good, i'm going to start training on it tomorrow. It trains full range of pinching motion, and you use just the tips of fingers and thumb to squeeze.
The "expand your hands bands" are pretty good--apparently they treat the rubber so that they last longer. Also, even the smallest (easiest) band is pretty difficult, and there are 5 grades of difficulty.
I got a "trainer" 100 lb gripper. I'm impressed with the craftsmanship--aluminum handles with knurling that will definitely lead to callouses ($20). I think the standard grippers don't have much application to climbing though, so I'll wait until after my road trip to make use of it. The range of motion trained isn't used in climbing.
The "healthy hands kit" comes with a high-quality squeeze ball, set of expand your hands bands, and a booklet on hand health. The booklet and instructions that came with each piece of equipment was helpful--good tips on getting stronger and how to structure your workouts. The squeeze ball ("the egg" I think it's called) is surprisingly difficult to squeeze. Could be a workout on it's own.
Overall, I'm happy with my purchases--good construction, good information with equipment, rapid shipment.
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collegekid
May 28, 2007, 6:40 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Registered: Jul 7, 2002
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juststrange wrote: I bought a full set from heavy grips, i could close the 150 and 100 at first, with a week or so and some technque i closed the 200. I think the 250 is close to going, i just need to train more. Thier website has a decent schedule to it too. Looking into bending red nails or levering sledges yet??
heavy grips has a good deal on the grippers! Seems like IronMind has made it so you have to get their grippers to get certified on the #3 though (if you want to get certified). I like the "heavy handles" that they sell, might have to purchase one for doing wrist excersises. I've been looking for something like that recently.
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