Thick Bar Training

[denisbeck]

I have a question regarding the use of Thick Bars. Is all the benefit derived from having the thumb on the underside of the bar or can you still get benefit if the thumb is placed alongside the index finger?

[j.scribner]

I dunno- I have limited experience with thickbar training. But when I trained with Doc and Nick in "the shed", and used a thickbar for reverse BB curls, Doc had me do the lift with the thumb alongside my index finger. That was harder, and I've been doing them like that since. My "thickbar" at home is a regular barbell with a 2 1/2" PVC pipe sleeve over the std. bar.... I do both grips, depending on the lift.

John Scribner

[ruffhans]

you will benefit from both, but you should place your thumb for the corect goal you are reaching for.

alot of guys do reverce curls while having the thumb along side the fingers. doing this takes all the focus off of your grip and aloows you to hit the forearms best. however doing this style would not be grat for deadlifts and other lifts.

when having your thumb oposit ther fingers you have to sqeeze and thus, end up building a stronger grip. i would say 99% of of thick bar stuff is done in this style.

you can work your fingers with the thumb next to the fingers lifts. basicly you would doing a thumbless sqeeze

[denisbeck]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I don't have a thickbar available to me yet but I am interested in making one for myself. I use a thumbless grip on reverse curls, one armed rows and lat pulldowns and a standard grip on all other pulling lifts. Based on your responses, I am going to give it a shot.

Thanks again.

[Bearcat 74]

I am pretty sure Richard Sorin used thumbless 2" bar reverse curls as a main stay to build his grip............. and he did ok.......

I would think thumbless would really work your outer crush and finger tip strength to a good degree.

[climber511]

I think both are necessary. Weak thumbs seems to be a limiting factor for many people on lifts like pinch, Axle Deadlifts, Rolling Thunder, etc. Strong fingers need an equally strong opposition to excel in grip feats overall.

[TelegraphKey]

First time I tried thick bar reverse curls, I was mega-wimp. I used thumb opposite fingers, and the thumb was almost helpless to even hold the bar. Would this indicate that I have really weak thumb, or perhaps that the other 4 fingers are not gripping strongly enough?

[mwinsl01]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  I don't have a thickbar available to me yet but I am interested in making one for myself.  I use a thumbless grip on reverse curls, one armed rows and lat pulldowns and a standard grip on all other pulling lifts.  Based on your responses, I am going to give it a shot.

Thanks again.

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If you want to make a cheap thick bar, just go to home depot and buy a 2 inch pvc pipe and cut it to length to go over dumbells or a barbell, the weights will keep the pvc pipe in place if you make sure the pvc pipe is a little longer than the handle portion by a 1/4 inch overall. Just remember if you do thick bar training like curls, shrugs, etc that you do not do hand grippers because your crushing strength will be worthless after doing these. Also, your pinch grip will be diminished.

mike

[supermagnamon]

I use my thumbs on thick bar training, since i substitute it for RT when I'm training my support grip strength at times.

[Jeremy Sipple]

Anyone try thumb less Rolling thunder deadlifts? I think i will try them tonight