Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: NoCalBbEr on September 06, 2008, 03:39:53 PM
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hey guys
I'm curious what kind of grip do you use on back exerises deads/bb rows/t bar rows and etc?? I have been using a False grip aka my thumbs are on the same side of the bar as my other fingers. but I have seen some guys that wrap their thumbs around the bar. b/c of me moving to a thumbless grip, my wrist are killing and I had to give up on underhand barbell rows. I really feel the underhand more then osverhand. I'm trying to get my lower lats wider.
thanks guy
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grip everything while wrapping your thumb around it! that's what thumbs are made for unless for some medical reason you can't or it hurts!
Always change your grips too.. neutral, underhand (supinated), overhand (pronated) and everything in between.. when you change your grip, it hits your back differently inessence creating a new movement. Just like chins.. I use a differently grip on every set of chins I do to hit my back from every angle possible. It still works your back.. it just adds more emphasis on certain areas more so than others when you do it.
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i use a thumbless grip on everything except db rows. Pulldowns, barbell rows i never wrap my thumbs around, BTW it's almost impossible to use a thumbless grip on REVERSE grip bb rows with anything over 185 or so, just wrap your thumbs around when you do those, use the EZ curl bar as well it's a lot easier on the wrists.
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grip everything while wrapping your thumb around it! that's what thumbs are made for unless for some medical reason you can't or it hurts!
Always change your grips too.. neutral, underhand (supinated), overhand (pronated) and everything in between.. when you change your grip, it hits your back differently inessence creating a new movement. Just like chins.. I use a differently grip on every set of chins I do to hit my back from every angle possible. It still works your back.. it just adds more emphasis on certain areas more so than others when you do it.
you're right to a certain extent, i remember the old Mike Mentzer clip where he had a guy grab his wrist with his thumb on the same side as his fingers and he slipped right out of it but when he had the guy wrap his thumb around he couldn't get out of it.
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For some reason I seem to be able to concentrate more on my muscles and get a better isolation when I use a thumb-less grip. However on my heaviest sets I cant go thumb-less, I must use a wrap around grip to control the weight.
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you're right to a certain extent, i remember the old Mike Mentzer clip where he had a guy grab his wrist with his thumb on the same side as his fingers and he slipped right out of it but when he had the guy wrap his thumb around he couldn't get out of it.
when i think about it.. if i tried a farmers walk with a thumbless grip versus using my thumbs..what kinda outcome would I have? ;D
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My grip depends on the exercise, sometimes it's more comfortable to hold a thumbless grip, cable rows for example as well as pulldowns, I use thumbless, DB/bb rows, I use my thumbs.
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good discussion and replies guys!!
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I always use thumbs :)
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About the only time of would advise a false grip is when doing BB/DB (or even lateral raises in some cases) regular or reverse, curls. Why you would weaken an exercises muscle building potential, when using a heavier weight for DL's, rows, chins or other back exercises, does not seem logical. With a grip (false) that can allow a bar to roll off the fingers or just not be anchor well by the thumbs, before the full strength of that exercise is taxed, seems strange indeed. You may be just cheating yourself of the full benefit on most exercises. With the natural thumb grip you will have a superior vice grip style on the bar.
If the main plan is to improve the gripping strength, than a thumbless grip can be included in a program, along with regular gripping. Like the fore mentioned Farmers Walk (as suggested by TWT), DL's, chins, etc. With most of those lifts you are just holding (or trying to) the weight in place anyway. Lot of other ways to improve the grip/finger strength also. All this is intended for strongman stuff, not regular BB'ing. Good Luck.
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If it does cause pain use it with straps, which will take much of the pressure off while allowing thumbless. I use straps because the grip does start to go when the weight gets heavy, could care less about grip strength.
For me there's nothing better than neutral palms facing together and slight variations from that for lats. Better lat isolation, very easy to grip, minimal stress for most grip widths.
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If it does cause pain use it with straps, which will take much of the pressure off while allowing thumbless. I use straps because the grip does start to go when the weight gets heavy, could care less about grip strength.
For me there's nothing better than neutral palms facing together and slight variations from that for lats. Better lat isolation, very easy to grip, minimal stress for most grip widths.
great advice, that's why i think the EZ curl bar is excellent for barbell rows.
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great advice, that's why i think the EZ curl bar is excellent for barbell rows.
Ya, easier on the wrists and hits the lats extremely well, as opposed to the usual straight bar palms-away from you grip that seems the least effective to me for lats in general for either rows or chins/pulldowns. Triceps hammer bar is also good for rows, allows the neutral palms-in grip.
The different grips are part of why i think T-bars are superior to barbell rows. The other reason is that the different angle on a T-bar shifts the center of gravity and makes it far less harsh on the lower back. It has to be an actual hinged T-bar to get this, not an olympic bar in a corner.
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the main reason I used the thumbless, I read articles on pros that use a thumbless grip to feel their lats better. Its the "hook method"
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Maybe it's me, but would not it be very hard to keep those wrist straps tight with just a false, thumbless, grip? Without the important thumb pressure to keep the straps from becoming loose, the straps may be really no value at all?
That hook method is a old idea. But you need not use a false grip to take full advantage of it. This is where the mind comes into play with that type of exercise. You think and focus on the hands as hooks, doing all the work. Taking most any other muscle groups out of the pulling motion, in your mind.
My personal trouble with an Olympic style EZ bar is not allowing enough space if wanting to do wide BB rows. Great for curl grip rows or Up-right rows for some people. Getting a cramped feeling, for me anyway, when ever using one. Like me getting into a Ford Focus once. I am really too wide in the upper body for either the EZ bar or Ford Focus. Good Luck.
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Maybe it's me, but would not it be very hard to keep those wrist straps tight with just a false, thumbless, grip? Without the important thumb pressure to keep the straps from becoming loose, the straps may be really no value at all?
That hook method is a old idea. But you need not use a false grip to take full advantage of it. This is where the mind comes into play with that type of exercise. You think and focus on the hands as hooks, doing all the work. Taking most any other muscle groups out of the pulling motion, in your mind.
My personal trouble with an Olympic style EZ bar is not allowing enough space if wanting to do wide BB rows. Great for curl grip rows or Up-right rows for some people. Getting a cramped feeling, for me anyway, when ever using one. Like me getting into a Ford Focus once. I am really too wide in the upper body for either the EZ bar or Ford Focus. Good Luck.
are your hands too big to fit into the top of protein containers and are your fingers too big too type as well? ::)
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The straps are tucked under palms so it works either way.
E-Z won't work as well for extremely wide rows, but close and medium grips are often better anyway from my experience. Just as Arthur Jones said in espousing medium grip lat work as more effective, and as most T-bar grips are close or medium. Besides which just how wide does one need to go beyond e-z bar length when gripping collar to collar. ???
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The straps are tucked under palms so it works either way.
E-Z won't work as well for extremely wide rows, but close and medium grips are often better anyway from my experience. Just as Arthur Jones said in espousing medium grip lat work as more effective. Besides which just how wide does one need beyond e-z bar length.
i don't know Pump, JPM must be pretty damn wide, i mean i've seen pics of Lee Preist, Dorian, even Bob Chick using that bar for rows so if he's too wide he must be absolutely gigantic. ::)
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i don't know Pump, JPM must be pretty damn wide, i mean i've seen pics of Lee Preist, Dorian, even Bob Chick using that bar for rows so if he's too wide he must be absolutely gigantic. ::)
I'm thinking it might be Marcus Ruhl all this time and we didn't know.
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I have a voice operated keyboard, so typing is not a problem. Never use protein supplements, so no problem there either.
Some people just have the bad luck of being born tall, large bone and wide framed. It is a curse I must admit. Just think of wide bodied NFL players as an example of nature gone wrong and have the burden of being so much larger at birth than most people.
When I have step between an Olympic EZ bar I am reminded of all the little, narrow and normal size people who really think that EZ bars are cool for their needs. God bless them.
Another curse is buying clothes. But I will not go into that ..it does upset me very much.
If straps are tucked under the palms and that works, than good for you. If you ever attempt anything near a 100lb BB you may have a problem. Good Luck
Side Bar: we are having a gathering of the local Pacific Islanders this weekend. We will be roasting a pig. But so far have not found one fat enough. Wonder if QuakerQats/SquadFather would like to offer to be the fat pig we need?
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If straps are tucked under the palms and that works, than good for you. If you ever attempt anything near a 100lb BB you may have a problem. Good Luck
Have used over 100 lb. with them for decades in fact the whole point is to go heavy with em. You should try using them sometime, you'll see. ;)
When I have step between an Olympic EZ bar I am reminded of all the little, narrow and normal size people who really think that EZ bars are cool for their needs. God bless them.
LOL that a hilarious generalization. Try loading one up for a change and you might think differently.
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I have a voice operated keyboard, so typing is not a problem. Never use protein supplements, so no problem there either.
Some people just have the bad luck of being born tall, large bone and wide framed. It is a curse I must admit. Just think of wide bodied NFL players as an example of nature gone wrong and have the burden of being so much larger at birth than most people.
When I have step between an Olympic EZ bar I am reminded of all the little, narrow and normal size people who really think that EZ bars are cool for their needs. God bless them.
Another curse is buying clothes. But I will not go into that ..it does upset me very much.
If straps are tucked under the palms and that works, than good for you. If you ever attempt anything near a 100lb BB you may have a problem. Good Luck
Side Bar: we are having a gathering of the local Pacific Islanders this weekend. We will be roasting a pig. But so far have not found one fat enough. Wonder if QuakerQats/SquadFather would like to offer to be the fat pig we need?
::) yes jpm your 5'11" 235 pound body is FAR TOO HUGE to use a little itty bitty EZ curl bar.
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::) yes jpm your 5'11" 235 pound body is FAR TOO HUGE to use a little itty bitty EZ curl bar.
???
I'm 6'2" and well over 235 and I can use an EZ curl bar..... :-\
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???
I'm 6'2" and well over 235 and I can use an EZ curl bar..... :-\
i was just being sarcastic about jpm and his whole "i'm too big" bullshit you hear from delusional clowns every so often, too big to fit into normal sized cars, too big for airplane seats, too big for conventional gym equipment, too big for off the rack clothes even XXL or XXXL size, as if they 7'5" and 600 pounds. ::)
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Actually if you re-read my post I said that there is not enough bar to do wider rows (without the elbows hitting the 45's). I did say that an Olympic style EZ bar was great for doing curls and up-right rows. An EZ bar reminds me of one big DB. Still feel a little wedged in when using one, having long arms and a wide reach. But than again, just my feel about it. If people want to try collar to collar BB row's on an EZ bar and get great results, than good for them. But it does not meet my personal needs.
I have suggested, in past post, favoring the close to medium curl grip to hit the lat's better. Goes for chins also. But with any BB row action, experimenting with a narrow, medium and wide grip can be a good idea. Actually doing 2-3 sets of each, when doing BB rows, in a back workout can be rewarding. Can also apply this to the BP for good results.
Personal data: height is a few hash marks above 6'2. And tipping the scales this morning at 240lbs. I was 5'11 in the 9th grade and around 190lbs. Between 265 to 275 at my college playing weight, at 6'2. Any experience lifter may have a hard time picking clothes off the rack. Wal-Mart does not do it for me. (that xxxL stuff is crap). I do fit well in my F-150 truck but not all that well in a Ford Focus. Which is not a normal size car. Not too big for airplane seats, where I usually get a aisle seat. Can fit in any machine equipment. Best fit was the Nautilus pullover machine by far. Their shoulder machine second (great delt compound exercise).
Side Bar: offer still stands if QuakerOats/SF would like to be our fat pig at the deep pit pig roast this weekend. You being 5'3 and 330 lbs, that would be ideal for some of our island folks. Fatty white meat with extra hot sauce on it. Don't worry, we can send the bones back to the trailer park if you want.
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6'2" 245!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dude you are so HUGE!!!! :o ;D
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That would be 6'2 and 240lbs...not 245. Might want to have you eyes checked. Or who ever is typing for you should pay better attention. Good Luck.
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Side Bar: offer still stands if QuakerOats/SF would like to be our fat pig at the deep pit pig roast this weekend. You being 5'3 and 330 lbs, that would be ideal for some of our island folks. Fatty white meat with extra hot sauce on it. Don't worry, we can send the bones back to the trailer park if you want.
From SF worship and wannabe friend to this in no time flat. :o
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7-foot version to accomodate those with extra girth. ::)
E-Z curl is THE best way to do close-grip BP
Fat Bar EZ Curl Bar
The only thing that you need to know about this thing is that it is 7 feet long. What that means is that you can use it in your racks and benches. So you no longer have to ask your training partner or Douchie LaRue to hand you the EZ Curl bar for extensions.
Comes with collars: weighs 25lbs.
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looks like an awesome bar, still don't think it would be enough for "jpm" chiseled massively muscled body though. ;D
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Actually if you re-read my post I said that there is not enough bar to do wider rows (without the elbows hitting the 45's). I did say that an Olympic style EZ bar was great for doing curls and up-right rows. An EZ bar reminds me of one big DB. Still feel a little wedged in when using one, having long arms and a wide reach. But than again, just my feel about it. If people want to try collar to collar BB row's on an EZ bar and get great results, than good for them. But it does not meet my personal needs.
I have suggested, in past post, favoring the close to medium curl grip to hit the lat's better. Goes for chins also. But with any BB row action, experimenting with a narrow, medium and wide grip can be a good idea. Actually doing 2-3 sets of each, when doing BB rows, in a back workout can be rewarding. Can also apply this to the BP for good results.
Personal data: height is a few hash marks above 6'2. And tipping the scales this morning at 240lbs. I was 5'11 in the 9th grade and around 190lbs. Between 265 to 275 at my college playing weight, at 6'2. Any experience lifter may have a hard time picking clothes off the rack. Wal-Mart does not do it for me. (that xxxL stuff is crap). I do fit well in my F-150 truck but not all that well in a Ford Focus. Which is not a normal size car. Not too big for airplane seats, where I usually get a aisle seat. Can fit in any machine equipment. Best fit was the Nautilus pullover machine by far. Their shoulder machine second (great delt compound exercise).
Side Bar: offer still stands if QuakerOats/SF would like to be our fat pig at the deep pit pig roast this weekend. You being 5'3 and 330 lbs, that would be ideal for some of our island folks. Fatty white meat with extra hot sauce on it. Don't worry, we can send the bones back to the trailer park if you want.
I agree, wider rows not happening with an EZ bar and 45's.........
but I gotta call bullshit on the airplane seats....I'm 6'2" and I can't fit in those things for shit, my legs are always getting smashed, even in the aisle. Best bet in the emergency aisle, those are open a bit more.
BTW, 240 is an OK weight to be at, I think, though not "big" by most people standards.
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I agree, wider rows not happening with an EZ bar and 45's.........
but I gotta call bullshit on the airplane seats....I'm 6'2" and I can't fit in those things for shit, my legs are always getting smashed, even in the aisle. Best bet in the emergency aisle, those are open a bit more.
BTW, 240 is an OK weight to be at, I think, though not "big" by most people standards.
according to jpm 240 pounds is too big to fit into XXL and XXXL clothes off the rack though. ::) maybe he has 23 inch arms, a 60 inch chest and a 22 inch waist. ;D
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according to jpm 240 pounds is too big to fit into XXL and XXXL clothes off the rack though. ::) maybe he has 23 inch arms, a 60 inch chest and a 22 inch waist. ;D
I'm 275 and xxl fits me fine.......maybe he needs to buy in mens xxl not womens?
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You have to pardon QuakerOats/SF, it creepy but he has a man crush on me. Why he keeps following me and popping up all the time after any of my post may be the reason. Sorry to say, I am in his head 24/7. He probably has a special tube of KY with my name on it. Wonder why no Mod calls trolling on him?
No slight to any one, but economy class seats do not offer the advantages of first class with regards to seating, for example. If you have a sister and cousin working in the airline industry, as I do, you do have certain advantages. Prime example would be flights to Hawaii and/or America Samoa . At times never leave fully booked, except on holidays or different seasons. Internal U.S. flights on SouthWest ( best for me and people I know) can be a real challenge sometimes. Chaos may want to try the first row, behind the rest room or captains cockpit on economy seating. Lots of extra leg room there.
Just a general observation on the xxx or whatever shirts.. I wear a 38" (depending on where the pants were made) waist pant. My body type tends not to hold much body fat, so 240 is a good lean weight for me. Tried on any of those clown xxl or xxxl shirts (or whatever) and they looks like ships sails around my waist. Have to have shirts tapered. So I go to the China town (near North Broadway...L.A.) area and have shirts made. I am not rich and the shirts are more money, but worth it to me. Have not bought a ready made shirt in years. So not sure how those xxx, etc sizes run any more. It has been a while. As you know Chaos, big men can be hard on what they wear. General every day wear are shorts, sandals an football style loose athletic shirt. Good Luck.
OK...time for QuakerOats/SF to pop up again.
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I must be the only one who works out at a gym with a 7' Olympic EZ-curl bar. No different than a straight bar lengthwise.
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It would seem that Olympic style bar, in the video, would weigh more that 25lbs with collars. Being extra thick in the middle and all that.
I have never worked on a bar like that. Thick handled bar yes, but never EZ type. Would Trowbridge like to give more feedback on the feel of it? And the advantage of using one with other exercises, rather than BP's.
Use to have "U" shaped bars for benching only. But do not see then around anymore. Gave a better stretch to the chest area. Good Luck.
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It would seem that Olympic style bar, in the video, would weigh more that 25lbs with collars. Being extra thick in the middle and all that.
I have never worked on a bar like that. Thick handled bar yes, but never EZ type. Would Trowbridge like to give more feedback on the feel of it? And the advantage of using one with other exercises, rather than BP's.
Use to have "U" shaped bars for benching only. But do not see then around anymore. Gave a better stretch to the chest area. Good Luck.
I use the big EZ bar instead of the small thing for pretty much anything that I'd use an EZ bar for. If you've ever, for example, done preacher curls with a straight Oly bar and then with a 4' EZ bar, there's a lot less balancing necessary with the short bar. The 7' EZ basically feels like a regular Oly bar but easier on the wrists, and the cambers are maybe a couple inches wider. Other than that, nothing crazy different.
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Just a general observation on the xxx or whatever shirts.. I wear a 38" (depending on where the pants were made) waist pant. My body type tends not to hold much body fat, so 240 is a good lean weight for me. Tried on any of those clown xxl or xxxl shirts (or whatever) and they looks like ships sails around my waist. Have to have shirts tapered. So I go to the China town (near North Broadway...L.A.) area and have shirts made. I am not rich and the shirts are more money, but worth it to me. Have not bought a ready made shirt in years. So not sure how those xxx, etc sizes run any more. It has been a while. As you know Chaos, big men can be hard on what they wear. General every day wear are shorts, sandals an football style loose athletic shirt. Good Luck.
If you are a Samoan or Tongan like I think you might be it would certainly explain the size. All the football players I worked out alongside were big and wide as hell even at the 250 mark and the 300 lb guys are monsters. My old roommate is a 310 lb Samoan and his shirts looked like bed sheets..lol.
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Being a somewhat private person (though not introverted) I might offer that Samoa has a great influence on me. The island folk are larger boned, wide bodied and stronger by natural selection. Do not know why, just the way it is. I myself can not take credit for any physical advantage . The whole Polynesian chain seems to have these same genetics. Not all of these folks are super sized, though much more than the law of averages would allow. Bad news....Adapting to the white man's diet has given a lot of bros more body fat than needed. 300-400lbs is always bad news, no matter how large the bone structure, for a long life.
Samoans tend towards large joints to support a larger muscle and bone frame. Which can give stronger leverage when lifting. Hip and shoulder power very noticeable. Seen one Bro (very out of shape), who had never lifted anything heavier than a 40 ounce, by choice, power up 300+ in the clean and jerk for reps. Same with 325-330 BP's first time another guy tried them. Repeating this story again, be warned: My two cousins, both seniors in high school, benched 400+. Weighted around 235 at the time. To them it was not all that. Do not see a lot of Samoan BB'ers or lifter because, frankly, they are all ready big and strong. Nothing to prove to anyone. Another reason may be, they just do not care. That may be the island way.
The only white people, as far as I know, who may match this in bone structure and strength are upper northern Europeans. Met some very impressive Swedes and Norwegians when it came to natural abilities. Just check out the strongman contest. So any Scandinavian genetics (Vikings/Norseman), in theory, could help. Scandinavian blood also runs through the lowlands like Denmark & Holland. Even Germany, Ireland (Dublin was founder by Norsemen) and Scotland for that matter. Good Luck.
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If it does cause pain use it with straps, which will take much of the pressure off while allowing thumbless. I use straps because the grip does start to go when the weight gets heavy, could care less about grip strength.
For me there's nothing better than neutral palms facing together and slight variations from that for lats. Better lat isolation, very easy to grip, minimal stress for most grip widths.
LOL pumpster.....had no idea you were a moderator :D