Flexibility With 7" Bends

[MrZsasz]

I know this has been brought up before but I've only recently run into the trouble myself. I just can't seem to get into a power position with any 7" piece of steel. Which isn't so good if someone still wants to bend a Bastard or a Red Nail. My bending somewhat ground to a halt some time ago so I decided to give myself a break. At that point, my best bend was 7" 1/4 square FBBC.

Fast forward to now, and I find the 1/4 stainless and hex both a pain. They are doable but I am just pushing through it. Compare this with the 6" G8 bolt I took down the other day which just felt right and I could get myself into position to really put some power into it. Today I tried a Red Nail and I couldn't find that sweet spot. It just feels incredibly awkward and the power is dissapating rather than being driven into the bar.

Again, I know this has come up but how did some of you get over this hump? I am tempted to just give on the 7" and just begin working to a Big or Huge Bastard. Well, tempted in theory....

Thanks in advance.

[TKtheGreek]

if you try to DO a 7.5 inch or even an 8inch then the 7 inch will seem alot shorter and you can prolly get into your power position easier. Stretching before hand could help too. For me when I go for a 7 inch piece I start by bringing the bar back into my neck with my knuckles facing forward then ease into it, by slowly gettting over top of it.

[big nasty]

I have the same trouble I am rather large and it is hard to get good leaverage. This is how I do it I grab it a little farther in on the steel it does make it some what harder but once I get it kinked I am fine I slide back and power in. Give it a try maybe it will work for you.

[Tim71]

Seems like that hit me recently. I had gotten used to the 7 inch and even started to preffer them but then I did alot of 6 inchers and got "unused" to it and boy it was a pain when I tried it again.

You can adjust your grip and use your middle fingers more which is what I've been doing recently. Sorta "fanning" my fingers out more I guess.

You're right though, it is a royal pain and even tougher if you try to unbraced bend an 8 inch piece like an 80d. I did a 8 inch piece of 3/8 HRS and that made the 7 inch feel much better.

Later,

Tim

[naturalstrength]

I know this has been brought up before but I've only recently run into the trouble myself. I just can't seem to get into a power position with any 7" piece of steel. Which isn't so good if someone still wants to bend a Bastard or a Red Nail. My bending somewhat ground to a halt some time ago so I decided to give myself a break. At that point, my best bend was 7" 1/4 square FBBC.

Fast forward to now, and I find the 1/4 stainless and hex both a pain. They are doable but I am just pushing through it. Compare this with the 6" G8 bolt I took down the other day which just felt right and I could get myself into position to really put some power into it. Today I tried a Red Nail and I couldn't find that sweet spot. It just feels incredibly awkward and the power is dissapating rather than being driven into the bar.

Again, I know this has come up but how did some of you get over this hump? I am tempted to just give on the 7" and just begin working to a Big or Huge Bastard. Well, tempted in theory....

Thanks in advance.

There is a GB member, David Wigren who accomplished this incredible feat about 6-8 weeks ago. If your problem is flexibility, imagine doing this:

He very well may have some good advice for you

[rniel]

Exactly my problem. I am pretty big through the lats and chest and lacking flexibility. I have no idea what to do going to try some of the ideas on here. Maybe get an 8" piece and work with it for a bit to get into it. I feel strongest leverage at 5.5" right now. Got to get used to the longer stuff.

[tja]

I'm no expert, but for me just doing isos with a 8mm x 7inch CRS worked (of course I would do bending of other steel as well). For a long time nothing happened to the steel, then I got a tiny kink. Then after several weeks it all just fell into the place. It still isn't easy to find the right positioning and I have to get started with the bend slowly trying to get the 'feel'.

[MrZsasz]

Wow. Lots of good ideas here. And glad to see I'm not the only one who has trouble. I know I have tight shoulders but I am stretching for that and I get ART now and then. I'm going to start with some bends at 7.5" coupled with iso bend attempts at 7". It's funny but I should have seen this coming. When I was deadlifting off a block to improve my power off the floor. But when I went back to regular deadlifts, I couldn't even match what I was pulling off a 4" block. It had changed my form enough that I needed to re-learn the form. Which is why I will keep 7" iso in the mix lest I forget.......Thanks guys.

[cemery]

if you try to DO a 7.5 inch or even an 8inch then the 7 inch will seem alot shorter and you can prolly get into your power position easier. Stretching before hand could help too. For me when I go for a 7 inch piece I start by bringing the bar back into my neck with my knuckles facing forward then ease into it, by slowly gettting over top of it.

Interesting. A great idea. thanks for posting this.