Chrisof4

[EricMilfeld]

You closed the #1 Chris! Nice progress.

Judging by the pain they inflict, I'd say Hindus are a good exercise. I don't do em very often though.

Edited February 1, 2004 by EricMilfeld

[chrisof4]

Thanks for the encouragement, Eric.

Keeping this log has really kept me on track, because I know others are reading it. I really appreciate all the support and positive feedback I get here.

[ohioliftr]

Keep up the good work Chris... I have just purchased the KTA program and looks like a good CHALLENGE ..I hope I can survive it

I will start as soon as I get the #3 and #4 I ordered couple days ago to go with the #T, #1 and #2 I have

That was a cool video about your father-in-law.

[chrisof4]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ohioliftr. I am glad you liked the video of my father-in-law. Keep us informed of your progress with KTA! You will be mashing the #3 in no time!!

[chrisof4]

2/1/2004

Today was another variety day. I did several different things.

50 hindu squats

10 hindu push-ups

Plate Pinches:

1. Three 10's, deadlift and hold for 5 seconds, 5 reps both hands

Block weights (25 lbs)

1. Knee high

2. Knee high

3. Deadlift

4. Deadlift

5. Knee high

6. Deadlift

Grippers:

1. Trainer - 5 reps, RH

2. Trainer - Cheat shut and hold, 10 sec., LH

3. #1 - Attempt (just missed) - RH

4. #1 - Negatives x 2 - RH

5. #1 - Negatives x 2 - LH

Bending:

1. Two 40D polebarns

2. One 6" carriage bolt

3. One 60D polebarn cut to 5"

[chrisof4]

2/2/2004

I had a hard time bending today. It must be muscle fatigue. Even bends that are normally easy were difficult today.

Starting tonight I cut my gym workouts down from 3 sets to just 2 sets. This is based on information I read in another post that the 3rd set only provides marginal results over the second set.

Here is today's routine.

Hindu squats: 50

Hindu push-ups: 11

Forward Levers (6lb sledge)

1. 7 reps at 10" - LH

2. 8 reps at 11" - RH

3. 5 reps at 10" - LH

Reverse Levers (6lb sledge)

1. 12 reps at 12.5" - LH

2. 11 reps at 13.5" - RH

3. 9 reps at 12.5" - LH

Wrist rotations (6lb sledge at 13")

1. 9 reps - LH

2. 7 reps - RH

Plate pinches (three 10's, rubber coated)

1. 7 deadlifts, both hands

Bending

1. 40D warmup in the morning - Felt very difficult

2. Three 6" carriage bolts in succession about an hour later

3. One 60D polebarn nail cut to 5". This was right after the carriage bolts

[chrisof4]

2/3/2004

Bending:

1. 40D polebarn

2. 6" carriage bolt

3. Two 60D polebarns cut to 5". The second one took almost 5 minutes and wiped me out!

I spent the rest of the day working the grippers. I kept a log at first, but I worked them so much I lost count. Here is what I recorded:

1. CoC trainer - 5 reps each hand

2. #1 - Attempt with RH (just missed).

3. #1 - 5 cheat closes - RH

4. #1 - Negative - RH

5. #1 - 2 cheat closes - LH

6. #1 - Negative - LH

Then I just worked a variety of exercises for the rest of the evening. I couldn't put the stupid things down!!

[chrisof4]

2/4/2003

I am going on a ski trip this weekend. I have been doing less grip work so my hands won't be sore during my trip. Today all I did was a little bending, a lot of thumb work with a pony clamp, and some very light gripper work. Even so, I slightly injured my left hand. I set my COC trainer in my left hand and closed it for two reps. This is no big deal, because I have done up to 5 reps with my left hand, but this time I slightly pulled something. I didn't really notice it until a few minutes later, but something on the back of my hand, between the pinky and ring finger hurts.

Anyway, I want my hands to be in top shape for the ski trip, so no grip training tomorrow. I will probably put all grip training on hold during my ski trip. That will give me 4 or 5 days to let everything rest and recover.

It also means I won't be updating my log until Monday, Feb. 9th or Tuesday, Feb. 10th. I didn't want you guys to think I was slacking off.

Here is today's bending:

1. One 40D polebarn - relatively easy

2. One 6" carriage bolt - also relatively easy

3. One 60D polebarn cut to 5" - Very hard. Took over three minutes, and my wrists and palms were very sore.

My bending volume has been down for several days now. That is one of the reasons I have decided to rest them during my ski trip.

[Sean Dockery]

The four or five day rest might be just what you need right now. I expect you'll see a huge jump in stength when you come back.

[chrisof4]

2/10/2004

I am back from my ski trip!! It was awesome! Also, I got in four straight days of rest for my hands. Well, mostly. I found skiing has some activities similar to grip training, such as carrying your skis and boots. This results in a 300 yard farmer's carry between the condo and the slopes. But I did not do any bending or gripping, primarily because I left everything at home!

Today I hit the bending with a vengeance. I grabbed a 40D polebarn nail, and folded it like paper. Next a 6" carriage bolt fell with ease. Then a 60D polebarn nail cut to 5" snapped me back to reality. I U'd it also, but we fought for about 3 minutes. My wrists felt great, but my palms were a little tender. A few more 40D nails, and 6" carriage bolts helped me rebuild my mental resistance to the pain, and then I U'd a second 5" 60D polebarn nail.

The 1/4" HRS is still laughing at me, however. I had no luck budging that at all. I decided to experiment with some sqaure stock. I bought some from Home Depot today and cut a 7" piece. I was able to bend that fairly easily. I also U'd a 6" piece in under two minutes. I found the 5" to be very difficult. We battled for about 5 minutes, but in the end, I U'd it also. I would say the 5" square 3/16" is very similar to a 60D polebarn nail cut to 5".

All in all, it was a very good day of bending. Here is the list of today's bends:

1. Six 40D polebarn nails

2. Three 6" x 1/4" carriage bolts

3. Two 60D polebarn nails cut to 5"

4. Two 7" x 3/16" square rods

5. Two 6" x 3/16" square rods

6. One 5" x 3/16" square rod

[tmmicklabs]

You are doing awesome.

The HRS will fall soon.

[chrisof4]

Thanks for the encouragement, Tmmicklabs.

[AP]

In case you're running out of ideas on stuff to bend, i've got a few more that i've used in the past. You can try buying 8" long 5/16" carriage bolts (threaded all the way). The crappy looking, kinda grainy textured ones at my hardware store are a little easier than 1/4" steel, plus its cool to bend something 5/16"! Also, you could pick up a long rod (3') of 1/4 and just space your hands out as far as you need to bend it. Even if you need 10" or more to get the leverage needed to bend it its still different and may get you ready for some reg length 1/4. Its kinda expensive cause you'll only get 3-4 bends out of one piece but its also fun to experiment with longer steel - after its bent all ugly you can brace it and try to scroll it into something.

And of course the fundamentals! Make sure you take a look at the form of some benders here and re-evaluate your style - are you weak at the begining, middle or crush of the bend? I know you've been bending for quite a while now but tweeking your style can have a huge impact. Stay strong!

Edited February 11, 2004 by AP

[chrisof4]

Post 100! Yay!

Thanks for the ideas, AP. I know I am close to being able to bend the 1/4", so hopefully some of these will push me over the edge. I already have several 3' rods of 1/4", so I will cut some 10"+ ones tonight and give them a shot tomorrow (today is my rest day).

I will also stop by the hardware store on the way home, and pick up some threaded 5/16" carriage bolts. I am also going video some of my bends so I can evaluate my style. Since I have only bending for about 1 month, my form is definately not set. I have already made several changes, and I might just need one more change to move to the next level.

My problem right now is both the start and the middle of the bend. I feel confident I could crush it if I could get it that far. I have been able to kink the 1/4", but can't get it past 10 degrees. Well, enough whining, now back to training!

Thanks for the help. I will post the results here in my log.

[chrisof4]

Thanks for the recommendations, AP. That pushed me over the edge. I purchased some of the 8" x 5/16" fully threaded carriage bolts, and with great difficulty, was able to U one tonight. I know today was supposed to be a rest day, but I just had to try the new bolt.

We fought for about 3 minutes and I had to resort to raising my grip above my head, but it finally bent.

Next I cut a piece of 1/4" HRS to a length of 12". Using the same grip as I did on the bolt, I was able to U this within a minute or two.

I was feeling kind of spent, and my family was waiting on me so we could go to church, so I stopped there. When I got home, the 8" x 1/4" piece of HRS that I have been wrestling with for weeks now began calling to me. I wrapped it up and gave a forceful attempt over my head, and suddenly felt it move!

We fought for about three more minutes, but in the end, I won and completely U'd it!!

Thanks to everyone for the advice, recommendations, and support. I definately would not be making this kind of progress without you!

Here is today's training routine.

Hindu squats: 55 (the last five about killed me)

Forward Levers (6lb sledge):

1. 10" x 8 reps - LH

2. 11" x 5 reps - RH

Reverse Levers (6lb sledge):

1. 13" x 10 reps - LH

2. 14" x 11 reps - RH

Wrist rotations (using 6lb sledge at 13")

1. 9 reps - LH

2. 9 reps - RH

Bending:

1. 8" x 5/16" fully threaded carriage bolt

2. 12" x 1/4" HRS

3. 8" x 1/4" HRS

[AP]

Awesome!

[chrisof4]

2/12/2004

I seem to have identified a disturbing trend. When I hit a new bending PR, I bend like crap for the next several days.

I only bent two 40D nails today, and two 6" carriage bolts, and those took everything I had. All I want to do is bend, and now I have to wait for my body to play catch up. Grrrrr!

I did get some good hammer time in, however, and I tore my first set of cards. I managed to tear a stack of 20, but failed in an attempt of 25. I also went to the gym tonight. I will probably take tomorrow off from bending and try to bend some this weekend.

Here is today's training.

Hindu squats: 60

Hindu push-ups: 10

Forward Levers (6lb sledge @ 11"):

1. 5 reps - LH

2. 8 reps - RH

3. 5 reps - LH

4. 5 reps - RH

Reverse Levers (6lb sledge):

1. 14" x 6 reps - LH

2. 15" x 9 reps - RH

3. 14" x 5 reps - LH

4. 15" x 7 reps - RH

Wrist rotations (6lb sledge @ 13.5"):

1. 5 reps - LH

2. 5 reps - RH

3. 4 reps - LH

4. 7 reps - RH

Bending:

1. Two 40D polebarn nails

2. Two 6" carriage bolts

Other:

1. Tore deck of 20 cards.

[chrisof4]

Update to 2/12/2004

I forgot to record my plate pinches from today. Here they are.

1. 35lbs - deadlift and hold for 5 seconds x 3, both hands

2. 35lbs - deadlift and hold for 10 seconds x 3, both hands

[chrisof4]

2/13/2004

I abbreviated my training today due to overtraining while attempting a bend. I went into detail in another post in this forum (see Stupid...stupid...stupid).

I still got some good training in before that incident.

Hindu squats: 65 (finally making some progress with these)

Thumb work with pony clamp (I have been doing these for quite awhile, but I keep forgetting to write it down).

Forward Levers (6lb sledge @ 11")

1. 6 reps - LH

2. 6 reps - RH

Reverse Levers - (6lb sledge)

1. 14" x 7 reps - LH

2. 15" x 10 reps - RH

Bending:

1. Two 6" carriage bolts

2. Two 40D polebarn nails

3. One 60D polebarn nail cut to 5". This is the one that got me in trouble, and I never did U it. I got it to about 110 degrees and could not get it any further. I think I will keep it as a reminder not to be stupid!

Tonight has consisted of two contrast baths and sitting around with my mittens on. Maybe tomorrow I can do some training that is not bending related.

[chrisof4]

12/14/2004

Minimal bending today. I focused all on grip work. Mainly plate pinches and work with my 25lb hex block weight. I also got in a good workout at the gym.

Here is today's training.

Plate pinches:

1. 40lbs (25+10+5) - deadlift x 2 - RH

2. 35lbs (25+10) - deadlift and hold 10 seconds - RH

3. 35 lbs - deadlift and hold 20 seconds x 2 - RH

4. 35 lbs - deadlift and hold 30 seconds - RH

5. 40lbs - deadlift x 2 - LH

6. 35 lbs - deadlift and hold 10 seconds - LH

7. 35 lbs - deadlift and hold 20 seconds x 2 - LH

8. 35 lbs - deadlift and hold 25 seconds - LH

25lb hex block weight:

1. Broke off floor with both hands several times

2. Negatives with both hands

3. Borderline deadlift x 2 - LH

Bending:

1. 7" x 3/16" CRS - Felt easy. I was primarily testing a different rag.

Other:

1. Tore deck of 20 cards. I attempted this in the morning and missed, but I nailed it tonight.

I will probably do some light gripper work tonight, and then a contrast bath before bed.

[chrisof4]

2/15/2004

Easing up on the bending over the last two days has really helped. I managed to bend the same type of nail that I failed at on Friday (60D polebarn cut to 5").

Here is today's training.

Card tearing;

1. Deck of 20 cards (less than 10 seconds)

2. Deck of 25 cards (about one minute)

3. Deck of 30 cards (several minutes)

Bending:

1. 7" x 3/16" CRS

2. Two 40D polebarn nails

3. 5.5" x 1/4" carriage bolt

4. 7" x 3/16" square CRS

5. 60D polebarn nail cut to 5"

[chrisof4]

2/16/2004

I pretty much only did bending today. I also got in a workout at the gym. I was shopping in a new hardware store and found some bright 50D common nails. I managed to bend one, but it was about a 5 minute struggle. I think these will be a good compliment on my way to the 7" x 1/4" HRS.

Speaking of the 7" x 1/4" HRS, I managed to bend one today to about 10 degrees. That was after bending the 50D, which took a lot out of me. If I had done the 1/4" HRS first, I think I would have done better. My goal is to U one of these by the end of February.

Here is today's bending:

1. 7" x 3/16" CRS - I bent this back and forth until it broke. This was a great workout. It took almost 30 times of bending it and semi-straightening it before it broke.

2. Two 40D polebarn nails

3. One 50D common

4. Attempt at 7" x 1/4" HRS - I got it about 10 degrees, but after about 10 minutes of struggle, could not bend it any more.

[chrisof4]

2/17/2004

My grip is wiped out today. I decided not to bend or grip train today. I planned to just do sledgehammer exercises, but after my first set of exercises, I felt sharp pain in my wrists. Sounds like today is going to be all rest and no work. I hate rest days!

I got some training in, but not much.

Hindu squats: 65

Hindu push-ups: 9

Forward levers (6lb @ 11")

1. 5 reps - LH

2. 5 reps - RH

I felt the sharp pains when attempting the reverse levers, so this is where I quit. Maybe I can try some card tearing tonight. We will see.

[Sean Dockery]

You're doing great! Keep after it!

[chrisof4]

2/18/2004

I felt a little better, but still not 100%. I was able to do some sledgehammer work, but I skipped one exercise with my left wrist because there was still some pain.

Here is today's training.

Card tearing:

4 decks of 10 cards

2 decks of 15 cards

My deck thickness is way down for two reasons. One, my grip is still recovering. Two, my body is just getting used to card tearing, and I have slightly pulled a muscle in my right arm. Everytime I really apply torque to a larger stack of cards, my arm begins to hurt again.

Speaking of cards, I was looking for a way to keep my costs down, and based on another post I read, I went to the casino's to see if they would give me any cards. We have four casino's here in KC, so I spent last Sunday afternoon visiting each one to see which would be most friendly about this. Isle of Capri was the best. They asked how many I needed, and I told them I would take all they would give me, because I was just going to tear them and throw them away anyway. So he said, "One case? Two cases?". I said two cases would be great. They did not have any cards on Sunday, but they told me to come back the next day and they would give me some. Next day I showed up, and there were two cases waiting with my name on them. Each case had 1 gross, so they gave me a total of 288 decks. I am in card tearing heaven. Now if I could just get them to give me nails, I might never have to work again!

OK, back to my training.

Bending:

1. 40D polebarn in the AM - Just feeling things out

2. Five 40D polebarn nails back-to-back. My wrist were sore when I was done, but nothing felt injured.

3. One 5.5" carriage bolt in the PM to check my recovery

Forward levers (6lb sledge @ 11")

1. 6 reps - LH

2. 6 reps - RH

Reverse levers (6lb sledge @ 15")

1. 9 reps - RH. No left hand because of pain in my wrist.

Wrist rotations (6lb sledge @ 13.5")

1. 7 reps - LH

2. 8 reps - RH

Thumbwork with the pony clamp throughout the day. I also played with the store bought grippers throughout the day.