Plate Pinching Vs. Block Pinching

[f1perez]

Hello everyone, I have a question for those of you pinch grip monsters. What would be more difficult, pinch gripping two 35's average width or pinch gripping a 35lbs standard hex block weight, the ones with the slick grey paint. Your input will greatly be appreciated. Thanks again.

[JS27]

Im not a pinch grip monster my any stretch of the imagination but I would say the 2 35's are harder.

[SqeezeMasterFlash]

I can clean a 35lb york block weight, but I can barely deadlift 2 35's. The plates are harder.

[foggymountainmuscle]

It's twice the weight, and unlike the blob it's width isn't so physically imposing, so yes, much harder. I'm assuming you are comparing the blob to 2 45s and trying to make the same analogy.

Of course I don't know how difficult those two feets are because I can't lift either. But I know I can do a 35lbs. hex and not 2 35s.

[f1perez]

Thanks for the input guys. Would you consider two 35's around equivalent to maybe a 40lb hex block weight? Thanks again

[f1perez]

foggymountain muscle the reason for my question is because I can farmer's walk 30 lbs hex block weights about 50 feet and roughly farmers walk two 25lbs plates in each hand for almost the same distance, but I still haven't purchased 35lbs hex block weights so I don't know if I can manage to deadlift them yet. I certainly know that I can't pinch grip two 35's yet. Thanks again

[SqeezeMasterFlash]

Again no. I've deadlifted 2 35's just barely, but I still can't lift a 40lb blob. They are two different feats and need to be trained seperately. I think if you're really good at plate pinching you'll have a more advanced start if you decide to train wide pinch, and the opposite is also true. But I don't think you can just assume that because a person can do one feat that they can do another.

[f1perez]

Thanks squeezemaster

[ianders1]

I don't think you can just assume that because a person can do one feat that they can do another.

Unless that person is Wade or Sorin or any of the other pinchmasters

[VeGripper]

I think it is a really, really difficult comparison. One thing with the plates is you've got to be putting a LOT of pinch into them to keep them from sliding apart if you don't have a bar in the center holding them together. A block weight is often wider, but nonetheless very different in that you don't have to overdo the squeeze to keep two parts from sliding off in different directions. I'm not a block weight master by any standard as I have little experience with them, but from past tries I can say by far they both have a very different feel to them. Can't wait to get my hands on a few medium level blocks or blobs to really start tearing into them since I've primarily messed around with plates up until now!

VeGripper

[foggymountainmuscle]

I think a point needs to be made about all the different types of plates. Many plates I encounter have thin, if only a nub of a rim around them. This makes plate pinching a percition application of pressure. Other weights are completely level and a hard squeeze is good enough. The thing that makes this comparison so hard is that object number, weight, and width all increase at the same time. No single variable is independant. Also the skill level of individaul gripsters at various pinch widths does not lend our collective experiences to be so relative to each others.

If you are uncertain of your ability to lift the 35lbs. hex I suggest cleaning the 30 hex, with assistance if needed, and bring it back down single handedly to normal position without it falling out of your hand. Follow it all the way to the floor if necessary. I have had success with this approach in both pinch and hub lifting when the next level was too big a gap.

I think I need to make a note I that I am completely uncertain I can lift a 35lbs. hex, as I was thinking of one coming off a 35lbs. dumbell and I wasn't thinking of their slickness. Pretty foolish I know, but I plan on rising to the challenge if only for forgiveness and repentance. In fact I made a similiar statement about being close to bending an IM blue when in fact it was a gross overstatement based on a recent bending triumph at the time. I am still a few inches away from doing the IM yellow! I apologise for this shameful misrepresentation of strength and experience, no matter how brief and unintentional.

Edited April 6, 2004 by foggymountainmuscle

[Woodchuck]

What would be more difficult, pinch gripping two 35's average width or pinch gripping a 35lbs standard hex block weight

I would equate the 35lb. plates I lifted at Sausage Fingers house to my 5" wide 50lb. hex head. I think these two are a closer comparison. Plate and hex heads all vary in thickness yes, but it would take a very slippery 35lb. hex to be as difficult as two 35lb. plates.

[Adam Black]

I find the finish on the plates/block to be the biggest factor. A slick finish will totally change the lift.

[mcham]

Finish is a big factor... but I find width an even bigger factor. First time I pinched 2 x 35 lb plates they were very thin plates and very easy to pinch even though they were quite smooth. My 15kg plates at home (i.e. 33lbers) are a lot harder because of the width, not the finish. I'm just crap at wide pinching

BTW slick finishes are much easier to pinch with really clean, dry hands.... learnt this from using Vince Basile's strainless steel pinch machine. I got a PR on the IM pinch block this morning by cleaning/drying my hands well - nothing to brag about, 32.5 kg, but still a PR