24 replies to this topic

[matrixsleeper]

If you could only pick one exercise other than actual arm wrestling, what would it be?

For me it would have to be, Towel Wrist Curls.

[Mighty Joe]

I would have to give it some more thought but I once asked myself this same question
and from years of experience I came up with any movement that locks your arm into a
neutral position (starting/setup). From that position perform static holds. This could be
from a chinning bar, hammer curl DB, moving at the hips but not moving the arm position
if you know what I mean. This very same position could also be used from different wrist/
hand/finger positions as well. The arm is static. The upper body as a whole is dynamic. Dynamic
coming from the hinging at the hips/waist. The dynamic part could be used for back-pressure, losing
position back to neutral position for reps, neutral position to winning position for reps, etc.
Just think of movements specific to AW'ing and then break them down into component parts. Figure
out what parts you're weak at and work those parts. All can be done from this one position! So whatever
you want to call this movement/position would be my favorite exercise!

If you think about this positioning it's optimal when it comes to winning at AW'ing! According to
the SAID Principle your body adapts specifically to the stresses one places upon their body. That
specifically also means movement specific. Your body will get stronger (adaptation) from the positions
you train from.

Under the SAID principle it's also important to keep in mind that one's body cannot adapt to stresses
BEYOND one's ability to recover properly. This is the SECRET in AW'ing!!!

If one can figure out (through a detailed training journal) the balance between their training and recovery
they are then on their way to success in AW'ing.

Hope this helps!!!

[Florian Kellersmann]

Very good thoughts, Joe. A very important thing, maybe the most important at AW is, to be strong in the middle of the table at the starting position. This is where you need to be dominant.

[Mighty Joe]

Very good thoughts, Joe. A very important thing, maybe the most important at AW is, to be strong in the middle of the table at the starting position. This is where you need to be dominant.

Thanks very much Florian!

My post comes from years of experience in the sport and the tons of information I
got from many great pullers from all over the world.

Seems to me that training from the set-up to winning position or at least advantageous positions
is crucial. One thing I neglected during my competitive years was training static positions. Huge mistake
on my part. You can actually get stronger from static holds than from dynamic movements. Balancing out
a portion of both is crucial to success IMO.

Another very important thing I learned early on from Big Al Turner (Godfather of Arm Wrestling) was the value
of getting the fingers STRONG. Even though this is how I initially got started into grippers, it was the wrong choice
for strengthening the fingers. Not much carry-over to the table. Isolated finger training is optimal IMO of course.

[G-Man]

Thick-Bar Chin Up Lock/Negative would be the best in my view. Count how many seconds you can keep your chin touching the bar with your hands similar to an arm wrestling "start" at the table. Then see how long you can keep your face touching bar. Then see how long you can hold on until you hit bottom.

These are good also because unlike arm wrestling and most arm wrestling exercises, they won't grind your elbows.

Edited by G-Man, 18 March 2012 - 06:16 PM.

[jad]

Rather than a specific exercrise, I've found Devon's idea of moving a locked arm/position through a ROM is what's worked best for me but again a very distance second to pulling. Prior to finding a group to regularly practice with, I'd been doing this with bands on my table and just posting straight back (lock arm and put tri on pad). When I started pulling with the group many commented that I already had a lot of backpressure. Take it for what it's worth..

Also of note, straight arm pressdowns eliminated the stabbing pain I got in my mid/upper back when hooking. I think this was more fixing a weakness though than a super secret AW exercise but an AW told me about it and it's night and day difference.

[Florian Kellersmann]

Also of note, straight arm pressdowns eliminated the stabbing pain I got in my mid/upper back when hooking. I think this was more fixing a weakness though than a super secret AW exercise but an AW told me about it and it's night and day difference.

I don't understand what exercises you mean. Could you describe it easier for me or do you have a video?

[jad]

Also of note, straight arm pressdowns eliminated the stabbing pain I got in my mid/upper back when hooking. I think this was more fixing a weakness though than a super secret AW exercise but an AW told me about it and it's night and day difference.

I don't understand what exercises you mean. Could you describe it easier for me or do you have a video?

I don't let my arms come back up as high. I keep mine about sternum level but you get the idea
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=t_7B2jwGyAU

[thewalrus]

I'm a little curious as to why you had pain in your mid/upper back while hooking. Do you know why?

[jad]

I'm a little curious as to why you had pain in your mid/upper back while hooking. Do you know why?

No idea, there was no previous injury and nothing else made it hurt. On a similiar note, although I haven't done them in quite some time, whenever I do bent over barbell rows, I get a burning (like somebody dumped a hot coal down my back) sensation on my lower traps. When I was in college and much younger and more hard-headed, I just worked through it. Well, when I was done I had these little purple lines all over my upper back and my girlfriend at the time wanted an explanation

[Arturo]

I'm a little curious as to why you had pain in your mid/upper back while hooking. Do you know why?

I'm no expert, but my guess is probably "crappy scapular movement".

This Article has some insight on how scapular movement can be crappy, mid-upper back musculatura is usually not developed proportionately (upper traps strong, lower traps weak), etc. It's a good read. http://www.t-nation....ulls_and_shrugs

[Florian Kellersmann]

Thanks for posting the video, Josh!

[fightertrainer]

Thick-Bar Chin Up Lock/Negative would be the best in my view. Count how many seconds you can keep your chin touching the bar with your hands similar to an arm wrestling "start" at the table. Then see how long you can keep your face touching bar. Then see how long you can hold on until you hit bottom.

These are good also because unlike arm wrestling and most arm wrestling exercises, they won't grind your elbows.

This is impossible because my face is too long to have my chin close to the bar, hahaha Jk!

[demarcoa]

Thick-Bar Chin Up Lock/Negative would be the best in my view. Count how many seconds you can keep your chin touching the bar with your hands similar to an arm wrestling "start" at the table. Then see how long you can keep your face touching bar. Then see how long you can hold on until you hit bottom.

These are good also because unlike arm wrestling and most arm wrestling exercises, they won't grind your elbows.

Not an armwrestler, but I just tried these and liked them.


They are really easy on the elbows (though mine cracked at the end, should've warmed up) so I'll probably start incorporating these to my chinning workouts, thanks!

[G-Man]

I would never do one exercise alone, but these are not bad:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=pwtc2EUHFm8

[G-Man]

With a little heavier weight ...

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=YPacZwSGgwo


There's a series on YouTube where Travis Bagent describes an ingenious training style. Do the negative pull-up or chin up hold and then keep adding weight. So as you get more tired and fatigued, you are holding a heavier weight, but for less time.

[G-Man]

Even heavier - time went way down on this one ...

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=9asLSBnmcyY

[pawel r]

progression

[djukac]

From all of the armwrestling specific exercises that I started practicing not so long ago the table curl is probably the one I benefit the most currently.

[matrixsleeper]

Been having some pretty good results with 1 arm rocking preacher curls.