How To Progress?

[Mr.Moose]

I bought a load of 1/4" a while ago and have cut it up in 7" down to 5" pieces with 1/4" reduction in length, 187 pieces altogether. (21 of each except the 5")

My question is: What is the best way to progress? Should I bend progressivly shorter pieces in the same workout, like a 7" then a 6,75" then a 6,5" and so on until I hit "the wall" and then maybe a few easier bends to finish of.

Or, should I just bent the 7" over a few workouts until they are finished, then the 6,75" until they are done and so on?

Does it make any difference?

I've only been bending for a few weeks so I'm pretty new at this, if that make any difference.

I'm in no hurry, I'd rather have nice steady gains than rushing to a big bend and then an injury.

Claes

[Lyle]

I would bend a hard piece a few times then follow it up with the next easier size for volume. I find that style works for me, oh there a warm up bend or two at the first also.

[Mr.Moose]

I would bend a hard piece a few times then follow it up with the next easier size for volume. I find that style works for me, oh there a warm up bend or two at the first also.

←

Thanks Lyle, I'll try that.

And YES I do warm up first, I've learnt the hard way the importance of warming up.

With age comes wisdom

Claes

[burner]

Hey Moose,

When you're warming up be sure to handle something nowhere near the goal bar. If a red nail bender were to max out I would suggest a few 60d's as well as a red. This was my warm up before the red nail cert. All joints felt strong and fluid. When a 60 folds in your hands you know your strength is up. Hit something just below the goal bar to really feel where your strength is. Say abot 90% of your best. I can not impose on you enough that a serious and well planned warm up is essential to an optimal "max bend". as far progressing, it's something you should experiment with. I was good with one day of max bars at a particular strength and then about 3 or 4 days later go after a max bend. I f you are also benching heavy be prepared to feel shock waves through your joints. The soreness will go away but you must go by feel. Be patient and condition yourself to do both an injury will definitely set you back. Ice is your friend, advil only if you need it. I hate anti-inflammatories, but that's me. Be aggressive and see what works for you, you may have to invest in heavy bars for a while but a dedication to this feat of strength is well woth it. From experience I can tell you that the strongest guys in a gym will be baffled by a 60d bend! open your mind to all possibilities.

best of luck,

burner

[Mr.Moose]

Hey Moose,

  When you're warming up be sure to handle something nowhere near the goal bar.  If a red nail bender were to max out I would suggest a few 60d's as well as a red.  This was my warm up before the red nail cert.  All joints felt strong and fluid.  When a 60 folds in your hands you know your strength is up. Hit something just below the goal bar to really feel where your strength is.  Say abot 90% of your best.  I can not impose on you enough that a serious and well planned warm up is essential to an optimal "max bend".  as far progressing, it's something you should experiment with.  I was good with one day of max bars at a particular strength and then about 3 or 4 days later go after a max bend. I f you are also benching heavy be prepared to feel shock waves through your joints.  The soreness will go away but you must go by feel.  Be patient and condition yourself to do both an injury will definitely set you back.  Ice is your friend, advil only if you need it. I hate anti-inflammatories, but that's me.  Be aggressive and see what works for you, you may have to invest in heavy  bars for a while but a dedication to this feat of strength is well woth it.  From experience I can tell you that the strongest guys in a gym will be baffled by a 60d bend!  open your mind to all possibilities.

best of luck,

burner

←

What I have done so far as warm up is 2-3 3/16" @ 5" bars.

What surprised me was how long it takes to recuperate after a bendingsession.

The 3:rd I bent 5 pieces of 1/4" @ 7", was easy so I bent 3 @ 6,5" aswell. No problems. The 5:th I felt like bending again but the 7" was a bloody hard bend. Did 2 and the 3:rd I couldn't even kink!!!

Grippers and pinching I can do 4-5 times a week but it seems bending is a lot harder on the body. Is it just because I've only done it for a few weeks and grip and pinch for a few months already? Maybe I'm just a wimp? The way it looks now is that I think I can bend every 5-6 days.

Thanks for taking your time to help a newbie.

Claes

[Lyle]

we were all newbies, at one time, sometimes I think I'm still a newbie, I don't know how long it takes to graduate to an "oldie".