2x35's Pinch Lift...finally

[Malice]

I borrowed a pair of old school York 35's from my buddy Dave today. I've tried to pinch these things a bunch of times in the past but never got more than a few inches of hop at best. Usually I couldn't even get them to leave the ground. Over the last 2 months since I've declared war on pinch I've gained a lot of pinch strength so I borrowed them to see how close I'd be to pulling them now and was surprised at how easily they came up. After the video I decided to do a workout and see how much weight I could add and got up to +7.5 lbs righty and +5 lbs. lefty. I tried +10 righty but was already smoked by then so it barely left the ground. Anyway, here's the video for those who don't care to read my rambling...

[macaz]

Great job Russ.

Hope to see you next week. Can I keep your grippers longer or do you want them back? I dont need mine back unless you dont want them any more.

[Malice]

Great job Russ.

Hope to see you next week. Can I keep your grippers longer or do you want them back? I dont need mine back unless you dont want them any more.

Keep them for as long as you need them Rich.

[daniel reinard]

Great job Russ! Keep stacking it on!

[Malice]

Great job Russ! Keep stacking it on!

Will do Daniel. I want 2x45's bad now.

[mike60975]

Great work Russ, interesting that you lifted the Blob50 before lifting 2 35's, I would guess that most people would find the Blob50 harder to lift.

The best way IMO to pinch a pair of 45's is to get the 45's you want to lift and start using them for two-hand-pinch workouts. Since your right and left hands are pretty similar in strength, you'll probably need to lift pretty close to 180lbs this way before you will be able to lift the plates with your stronger hand.

[Malice]

Great work Russ, interesting that you lifted the Blob50 before lifting 2 35's, I would guess that most people would find the Blob50 harder to lift.

The best way IMO to pinch a pair of 45's is to get the 45's you want to lift and start using them for two-hand-pinch workouts. Since your right and left hands are pretty similar in strength, you'll probably need to lift pretty close to 180lbs this way before you will be able to lift the plates with your stronger hand.

I might have been able to lift these when I first lifted the blob but didn't have them readily available at the time. They belong to a friend and I haven't tried them for about 3 months or so.

I'll start looking around for a pair of 45's but in the meantime I'll keep adding weight to the 35's as well as do 1hp with my adjustable 2hp setup. Thanks for the advise!

[odin]

Congratulations Russ!

When first training for the 2x45 lift, I did a lot of negatives and other-hand assisted lifts, placing my hand on the thumb side of the plates and applying just enough pressure to complete the lift. A key to this is once the plates break the ground, you can reduce the other-hand's help a little and try to do the negative without help-but keeping your other hand ready to help in case you drop the plates. Bouncing the plates on a mini-tramp and then trying to pull them as high as possible is another assistance move that I used.

[climber511]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

[odin]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

Great points Chris. I wouldn't want to be training with a pair of plates that are 3" wide.

Like Chris said, the 1HP and 2HP are very different; almost like comparing the Inch and RT. I'm in the minority as my best 2HP was only 180 when I did 2x45 for the first time (actual max was probably ~185 because I believe I got 190 off the ground that day). Both of the aforementioned lifts were done on the same day, after Chris Rice's Gripmas Carol contest. Chris has a nice pair of 45s that fit together very well, have nice texture and weigh 90.2 lbs. as a pair ( I believe that is the # he stated). Another reason to attend Gripmas.

[Malice]

Thanks for the advice guys. I do realize the difference in technique between 1hp and 2hp which is why I actually train specifically 1hp but use my adjustable setup since I don't have a flat sided pair of 45's yet. I'll look around for a set to start doing negs with.

[odin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I do realize the difference in technique between 1hp and 2hp which is why I actually train specifically 1hp but use my adjustable setup since I don't have a flat sided pair of 45's yet. I'll look around for a set to start doing negs with.

Your Euro will work fine as a training device unless you pinch at an unusually narrow width that will lead to less generalization to the plates you will use. Take your time and find a pair of 45s that have some texture (at least not slippery) and fit well together. They don't have to be perfect, just make sure they are at least not a hindrance in your training.

[Malice]

Thanks for the advice guys. I do realize the difference in technique between 1hp and 2hp which is why I actually train specifically 1hp but use my adjustable setup since I don't have a flat sided pair of 45's yet. I'll look around for a set to start doing negs with.

Your Euro will work fine as a training device unless you pinch at an unusually narrow width that will lead to less generalization to the plates you will use. Take your time and find a pair of 45s that have some texture (at least not slippery) and fit well together. They don't have to be perfect, just make sure they are at least not a hindrance in your training.

I do 2hp at 54mm but when I used it for 2x35 lift I made it wider to match the pair of 35's I was going to use. I'll continue to use that width on 1hp for now until I find a good set of 45's. I agree with taking my time finding a good set cuz all I've seen so far have either been way too wide or didn't fit together well at all.

[AdamTGlass]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

LOL THP 240 and still no dice on most 45's

[mightyjoe]

Great accomplishment Russ!

Micro-load your way to 90 and you'll be there in no time.

It seems many individuals progress at pinch with fewer practice sessions possibly due to the

rest the thumb gets from the excess strain. Eric Milfeld once told me he trained his pinch every 10th day

with great results.

Also, what Chris said is very true. The SAID principle will never let you down brother! Specific practice to

what you're trying to accomplish is critical to continuous progress, assuming the positive adaptations

are within your recovery range.

Congrats!!!

[daniel reinard]

I can pull 170 on my 2HP and one hand 93. Using same 58mm size. I've hopped 3" 2x45 plates before too. Not sure what gives, maybe because I have more wide plate pinching under my belt than 2HP, but then my same size 2HP and 1HP don't make sense. Russ, just train 2HP and 2x35 plus weight. Each one should be specific for the goal. I've learned to not care about the comparison and only each lift's goal is important.

[mike60975]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

Really? My two hand pinch is exactly the same as the sum of my individual right and left hand pinch, so long as I use the same setup for both. If you are using the euro pinch for two hand pinching and then using 45s for one hand pinching that would certainly cause a discrepancy. If you are pinching "well over 200" using a pair of 45s but cannot then lift those same plates with one hand, I need to reevaluate my understanding of the laws of physics.

I would also add that your 2 hp should probably be done with your hands at the very top of the plates with no space between them, to minimize any additional lifting strength that can be generated by flexing your wrists. You will be in the same mechanical position when lifting with one hand.

[climber511]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

Really? My two hand pinch is exactly the same as the sum of my individual right and left hand pinch, so long as I use the same setup for both. If you are using the euro pinch for two hand pinching and then using 45s for one hand pinching that would certainly cause a discrepancy. If you are pinching "well over 200" using a pair of 45s but cannot then lift those same plates with one hand, I need to reevaluate my understanding of the laws of physics.

I would also add that your 2 hp should probably be done with your hands at the very top of the plates with no space between them, to minimize any additional lifting strength that can be generated by flexing your wrists. You will be in the same mechanical position when lifting with one hand.

Your understanding of physics is probably fine but your understanding of what people do to exert force in the 2 HP may be off compared to what people do (or can do) with one hand. People who have maximized their 2 HP do a lot more than just "pinch" - and those things simply cannot be done without the other hand to create force with and against.

[mike60975]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

Really? My two hand pinch is exactly the same as the sum of my individual right and left hand pinch, so long as I use the same setup for both. If you are using the euro pinch for two hand pinching and then using 45s for one hand pinching that would certainly cause a discrepancy. If you are pinching "well over 200" using a pair of 45s but cannot then lift those same plates with one hand, I need to reevaluate my understanding of the laws of physics.

I would also add that your 2 hp should probably be done with your hands at the very top of the plates with no space between them, to minimize any additional lifting strength that can be generated by flexing your wrists. You will be in the same mechanical position when lifting with one hand.

Your understanding of physics is probably fine but your understanding of what people do to exert force in the 2 HP may be off compared to what people do (or can do) with one hand. People who have maximized their 2 HP do a lot more than just "pinch" - and those things simply cannot be done without the other hand to create force with and against.

Just to clairfy, when you did your 2 hp with 200+ was that using your 45s or a euro pinch set up?

[climber511]

Your training for 2-45s should be pretty width specific and best case scenario should be the actual plates you will be using to test with - old school York 35s are going to be wider than regular 45s will be - and this will make a big difference generally. Two hand pinch numbers have next to no bearing on what you can do with one hand - I had to 2 HP well over 200 before I did 2 - 45s as do many other people. Two very different lifts.

Really? My two hand pinch is exactly the same as the sum of my individual right and left hand pinch, so long as I use the same setup for both. If you are using the euro pinch for two hand pinching and then using 45s for one hand pinching that would certainly cause a discrepancy. If you are pinching "well over 200" using a pair of 45s but cannot then lift those same plates with one hand, I need to reevaluate my understanding of the laws of physics.

I would also add that your 2 hp should probably be done with your hands at the very top of the plates with no space between them, to minimize any additional lifting strength that can be generated by flexing your wrists. You will be in the same mechanical position when lifting with one hand.

Your understanding of physics is probably fine but your understanding of what people do to exert force in the 2 HP may be off compared to what people do (or can do) with one hand. People who have maximized their 2 HP do a lot more than just "pinch" - and those things simply cannot be done without the other hand to create force with and against.

Just to clairfy, when you did your 2 hp with 200+ was that using your 45s or a euro pinch set up?

I can pinch over 200 on either plates or my Euro - more on my Euro as it is seasoned better but I can do it on either or on my 2' block weight. One hand is more of a pure pinch - with both hands you can create force against each other and in my opinion you should be able to use more than two times your one hand lift - if not, you need to train your 2HP more and learn to take advantage of the things you can do with it.

[Malice]

I got this video today with +10 lbs. I did it yesterday too but the battery died on the camera before I lifted it so I did it again today. It's real dark in the grip pit so I need to do something to improve the lighting. On the camera I can see the number on the small plates but it's too dark to make out on the computer. They really are 5lb. plates though.

[mike60975]

"I can pinch over 200 on either plates or my Euro - more on my Euro as it is seasoned better but I can do it on either or on my 2' block weight. One hand is more of a pure pinch - with both hands you can create force against each other and in my opinion you should be able to use more than two times your one hand lift - if not, you need to train your 2HP more and learn to take advantage of the things you can do with it."

I do my 2 hp using a pair of Ivanko 45s (3 1/8 in thick) and always put my hands together at the top with no space between them, probably why my 2 hp is no higher than double my 1 hp, however, all of my pinching goals are 1 hand pinches: 2 45s, blobs, 3 25s, among others. So the added weight I might get from twisting, torquing or whatever it is you are doing (and I am curious to know just what it is that you are doing) to make your 2 hp higher would probably not contribute to reaching my goals, it is all academic to me but still very interesting.

Russ, good pinching, how thick are those 35s anyway? Also, I use a 2'' diameter by 3' long wood dowel I got from Orchard that I use to add weight to my 45s for 2 hp. Very cheap and works great for adding weight to plates for both 1 or 2 hand pinching. Not all of my plates would fit on it at first, including the above mentioned Ivankos, so I shaved it down a bit with a block plane. Just a thought.

[Malice]

Mike, I haven't measured them in a while but I think they're about 2 1/2" wide.

[climber511]

Most 2x45# plates are just a little over 2 1/2" - over 3" is going to be a good bit harder unless you have huge hands.

[daniel reinard]

Most 2x45# plates are just a little over 2 1/2" - over 3" is going to be a good bit harder unless you have huge hands.

Dang, how come all the 45s I see are huge. Mine measure 3.25" but have seen a hop. And I have 4 different pairs. Even Play It Again had nada today. Russ if you can find 45s same thickness you have a good shot at knocking that goal out soon. The key is to train the thickness you want to pinch at. I've pinched on garbage wide plates long enough it doesn't kill me.