Vbar Training

[Jose Jara]

I have a problem with the training of Vbar lift that it's possible that you have.

I can't train with reps because it tears the skin of my hand; Vbar is very aggresive on the skin. So, the training until now is 5 sets of 1 rep.

But i can't progress with this approach, i think that i should do reps for progress or holds.

Any idea to progress with the Vbar?

Many thanks!

[mobsterone]

Check my log re frequency and rep, sets etc.

[Mikael Siversson]

Use tape of some sort.

[dthor]

I have used tape before, and also had good results training on a thicker bar for a session, while my hand healed up.

[Scott Styles]

I hate this lift. It is painful and I suck at it. I tried a lot of different things before giving up on it all together. Here's what I got out of my efforts:

Toughening the Skin - http://www.gripfaq.com/Hand_Health/#SKINTOUGHNESS

V-bar Lift - http://www.gripfaq.com/Supporting_Hand_Strength/#VBARLIFT

[The Mac]

- Tape is a good idea.

- Change the frequency you pull v-bar

- Drop the weight to whatever you CAN do reps with, and build back up.

- I am not 100% sure, but I seem to remember that at the British you wrapped your hand very deliberately around the bar. Perhaps you would be better off just grasping it normally - see the difference between Theo and Chad in the video of the MGC for what I mean?

[Matt Brouse]

Play with your hand position as well. I have lost some skin, myself, but looking at your technique might be an option. Also, when I have lost skin in the past it has been when I am losing my grip, when the thing slips.

As mentioned above training on, say, a twi inch bar might be a viable option as there is carry-over and it is less of a pain event and more of a grip event.

Squeeze hard.

[viper]

I have a problem with the training of Vbar lift that it's possible that you have.

I can't train with reps because it tears the skin of my hand; Vbar is very aggresive on the skin. So, the training until now is 5 sets of 1 rep.

But i can't progress with this approach, i think that i should do reps for progress or holds.

Any idea to progress with the Vbar?

Many thanks!

i dont think you have to train v-bar often to get a good v-bar, my reason is my v-bar total has gone up by over 100lbs an ive never trained v-bar, just maxed it once every now an then to see where im at >i figure you improve crush grip + static grip an the v-bar goes up

as far as the skin thing goes, why not just toughen your hands up?

Edited May 31, 2007 by viper

[crobb1320]

i had a problem with dry skin,vbar would tear the skin between my thumb and finger,softening the skin really helped,also not letting it slip helps also. good luck with your lifts.

[Hubgeezer]

Here is what I would try in your specific situation, based on your lifts at the Brits, and my own experience:

Do 1 rep of 70 kilograms.

Do 4 sets of 2 for 80 kilograms.

Do 1 rep of 90 kilograms.

Do that once a week.

On the fourth week, instead of doing sets of 2 for 80, give yourself a test. Do one set of one rep of 80, then do the same for 90, then 100. If the 100 goes up painfree and easy, then the skin is getting tougher. It seemed like I remember Mikael saying something about experiencing success on the lift. In practice, I never try for a one rep maximum. I mix up the workouts with 75-85% of maximum. The lower range is equally effective as far as I am concerned, as it toughens your skin just as much as the heavier weights. I rarely do more than 12 reps in a vertical bar workout, and usually around 10.

You saw me. My body strength was the lowest of the Open competitors. My vertical bar was the only event for which my performance was respectable. My focus is on toughening my hands so that on those rare days where I do attempt heavy weights, it will feel like I am wearing leather gloves.

Sometimes I will do a few light reps for a workout, do the same 4 days later, then do the 10 reps or so approach. Three or four reps with 80 or 90 will not drain any strength from you.

Mike

[Jose Jara]

Thank you very much for the advices

Mike, now i'm focused in raise my base strength and i want to hit my Rolling thunder lifts. I'm training Vbar every two weeks, but i'll follow your sets/reps schema. After this routine i'll follow exactly the routine that you describe because looks like very interesting and you are a great Vbar lifter, thanks.