Sideburns' Log

[sideburns]

Well, I started a while ago, and got into working too hard...hurt myself trying to do sledge work...basically for some reason or another my hands don't like holding the sledge one way or another...no matter how hard I try so it gets messed up.

So I started this week with grippers again...

repping generic gripper for about 10 reps - 2 sets

repping HG100 for about 8 reps - 3 sets

braced HG150 2 reps - 2 sets

I've got some junky plastic plate weights I'm gonna use for pinching...but I gotta dig em outta the other room somewhere...gonna do that tonight.

That's as far as I've gotten so far right now...

So far it's been every day for the last 4 days...but I know last time I hurt myself from not taking long enough breaks. I'm going to just play it by ear. If it hurts, I won't train it...wait for full recovery, basically...

I noticed I lost a bit of my old strength, but I'm sure it'll come back quite quickly within the first few weeks.

I'll keep this updated as I progress. Any suggestions to change/add would be good. Remember, I'm broke basically...cause I'm only 18 and living at home...so free is always good.

Thanks guys.

[sideburns]

Did another workout today. Just grippers, my hands are tired from the last few days...gotta take it easy so I don't hurt myself again.

10 generic gripper

10 HG100

8 HG10

1 HG150 <2mm from close

3 HG150 braced

10 generic gripper

Then I made a video of me closing the 100 like it's nothing, and doing a braced close of the 150. Gonna make videos so I can keep track of my progress...and to mess around with iMovie, cause it's kinda fun...

[sideburns]

Today was an "active rest" day...

Just did some dexterity ball, and rubber band work...hopefully will recover soon...kinda sore.

[tspinillo]

Be sure to get your thumb/pinch work in and don't neglect your wrists and extensors. Balance is key.

[honk]

I look at a max gripper closes as a demonstration of how my overall training is going, opposed to as a goal in itself. Chasing big grippers as a goal makes my knuckles hurt.

Because most people specialize on the grippers first, we get a lot of guys that think they've gotten more value out of thick bar, block weight, and wrist work. I think it's more often a case of bringing up the weak points after all that gripper specialization, as Climber511 suggested.

Also, let's face it, once the novelty has worn off, grippers are boooooring. I'd rather destroy something or move a heavy weight around.

I second that.

[judoboy]

Any suggestions to change/add would be good. Remember, I'm broke basically...cause I'm only 18 and living at home...so free is always good.

hammers are cheap but rocks are free! stones and slabs make excellent block weights for pinch work or wrist curls. towell chins and finger-tip press-ups come pretty cheap too

check this out: http://www.dieselcrew.com/articles/rw-Grip%20Training.pdf

as tspinillo said, balance is key.

best of luck with training

[sideburns]

Well, after 2 weeks of resting...my hands are back to being like they were before (hurting). I must have some major problems with tendons, because I seem to be very prone to hurting things...lol. Hurt my shoulder...then my hands...now my hands are aching again (not as bad as last time..but defn not gonna aggrivate it anymore)...

Looks like I'm screwed in terms of grip development.