*** The 2010 Gym Rats Thread ***
- Thread starter Freefaller
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It isn't easy, physically it's very demanding, however, mentally it's far harder (IMO). For example, today I hit a mid workout 2nd wave - I was feeling rubbish and really wasn't in the mood. I then psyched myself back into it then suddenly got the "rage" for more! lol!
Today's session was a little off my usual routine owing to my "anabolic" workout on Sunday so I had to mix it around a little.
Bench 43 reps @ 120kg
Chins 41 reps @ BW + 10kg
Push press 38 reps @ 80kg
Dips 30 reps @ BW + 20kg
Side raises 36 reps @ 16kg
So not bad overall - just not my usual routine. Push press felt strong though - was tempted to do a few reps @ 100kg but thought best keep to my routine!
Today's session was a little off my usual routine owing to my "anabolic" workout on Sunday so I had to mix it around a little.
Bench 43 reps @ 120kg
Chins 41 reps @ BW + 10kg
Push press 38 reps @ 80kg
Dips 30 reps @ BW + 20kg
Side raises 36 reps @ 16kg
So not bad overall - just not my usual routine. Push press felt strong though - was tempted to do a few reps @ 100kg but thought best keep to my routine!
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BEAST!
I've recently replaced all 90% of my clothing that's too small, last thing I'd want is to rip pants on squats.
Wouldn't mind ripping a shirt deadlifting or benching though
My gym tracksuit trousers are all worn along the thigh (i.e. almost no material left) owing to deadlifting!
I can't afford to change my clothing much (I spend too much on food!) and I don't follow fashion, I really don't care about it. However, when I move house/flat I always chuck out lots of stuff I don't need as I just can't wear them anymore!
The shirts split on the back, more often on the seam where the sleeves are sewn onto the main part of the shirt, trousers, always the crotch area goes, it happens once a month on trousers. Shirts happens less as I've just bought huge shirts which look ridiculous, but at least fit!
Soldato
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Hehe - I tend to remain covered up in the gym (except when mucking around (as per last weekend with my "anabolic clothing" vids!)). Furthermore, the trackies do offer some protection from the bar!
However, thanks for the homo though darling x
However, thanks for the homo though darling x
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I've done it many times - you just need to chalk up the legs a little - it's fine, just less comfy. 
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Associate
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Hey FF, do you mean chalk on bare legs to ease the scraping? *puzzled* surely that'd make it worse? 
(p.s. I have liquid chalk, not sure if that's different?)
(p.s. I have liquid chalk, not sure if that's different?)Hey FF, do you mean chalk on bare legs to ease the scraping? *puzzled* surely that'd make it worse?
Strip down, apply liquid chalk to body. Rub fast and hard until dry.
Take deep breath and deadlift.
Very impressed with ultimategrip.co.uk.
Placed my order Sunday and it arrived today. Not sure when as I was in the workshops but a flatmate put it outside my room.
Grippers are nice and sturdy, good build quality and the grip itself isn't too rough but not too smooth.
The 100 & 150lb can be closed and the 200lb is about 5-6mm off being closed. the 250lb gets about a cm of flex it's a bit of a beast!
A chap over on UKM who's a grip champion sells them too in smaller increments than 50lbs if anybody ever needed to increase but not by 50lbs.
Going to have a grip workout with them this evening and will do this 2-3 times a week.
Placed my order Sunday and it arrived today. Not sure when as I was in the workshops but a flatmate put it outside my room.
Grippers are nice and sturdy, good build quality and the grip itself isn't too rough but not too smooth.
The 100 & 150lb can be closed and the 200lb is about 5-6mm off being closed. the 250lb gets about a cm of flex it's a bit of a beast!
A chap over on UKM who's a grip champion sells them too in smaller increments than 50lbs if anybody ever needed to increase but not by 50lbs.
Going to have a grip workout with them this evening and will do this 2-3 times a week.
Is it worth sticking to a particular routine with these things? I tend to just alternatively mash mine until my hand aches a bit whilst watching tv in the evenings. I don't do particularly 4x30 squeezes or anything like that.
What will you be doing?
Probaly start with the intermediate training:
Beginner:
http://www.ultimategrip.co.uk/beginnertrainging.html
Intermediate/Advanced:
http://www.ultimategrip.co.uk/intadvtraining.html
To build strength the same principles apply as with any other muscle group. Low reps & high load
You can also invert them, perform negatives, static holds etc etc
Probaly start with the intermediate training:
Beginner:
http://www.ultimategrip.co.uk/beginnertrainging.html
Intermediate/Advanced:
http://www.ultimategrip.co.uk/intadvtraining.html
To build strength the same principles apply as with any other muscle group. Low reps & high load
You can also invert them, perform negatives, static holds etc etc
Aha! I guess I'll order a 100 and 150 soon then, my grip is teh suck.
I'd get a set of 3 or 4 if I were you.
If you can hold a 40KG dumbell you'll be able to close the 100 quite easily. The 150 is marginally harder and the 200 becomes tough. The 250 is challenging to budge. Doing negatives with the 250 you have to really force it shut with your thighs or shoulders/chest!
Bare in mind it needs to be tough so closing the 100, 50 times in either hand won't get you anything except some pump & endurance!
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Hey FF, do you mean chalk on bare legs to ease the scraping? *puzzled* surely that'd make it worse?
See tom's answer below:
What about if you can hold 120kg in your hand with no fuss? I can do single handed deadlift @ 120kg fairly comfortably. And of course my 230kg was done with no straps either. I want to get in on this but obviously set my sights at a suitable level. My grip strength is pretty good.
The grippers are rated in lbs so you'll be wanting something like a 300 I would imagine if you want it to be challenging.
One of the grip champs from UKM's shop:
http://www.stevesgripshop.com/
Holding a gripper closed is obviously considerably easier than forcing it closed as you're always stronger on the negative. Holding your hand closed is therefore easier than closing it with resistance!
The 300 should give you roughly 150KG of resistance. I think they max out at around 360lbs(170-180KG).
Of course if you're capable of closing the toughest ones you can begin to remove certain fingers from the grip, or target each finger individually
The ones from Ultimate grip are slightly cheaper. If I need to purchase something between a 250 and the 300 then I'll probaly go to stevesgripshop and get one inbetween.
One of the grip champs from UKM's shop:
http://www.stevesgripshop.com/
Holding a gripper closed is obviously considerably easier than forcing it closed as you're always stronger on the negative. Holding your hand closed is therefore easier than closing it with resistance!
The 300 should give you roughly 150KG of resistance. I think they max out at around 360lbs(170-180KG).
Of course if you're capable of closing the toughest ones you can begin to remove certain fingers from the grip, or target each finger individually
The ones from Ultimate grip are slightly cheaper. If I need to purchase something between a 250 and the 300 then I'll probaly go to stevesgripshop and get one inbetween.