Anyone Do Brookfield-style Endurance Grip Work?

[VeGripper]

I was reading some of Brookfield's works again after some time and re-read his bit on taking something like a block weight or a pair of plates and going for a walk with them, holding it in one hand until tired and switching to the other when necessary. Not knowing what to expect, I went down to the track armed with my RT handle with 50 lbs. loaded up and the wide IM pinch grip block with 20 lbs. on it. My original plan was to cover a mile's distance switching items between hands when one would tire, effectively making both hands work the entire time. Let me say it sure didn't work out that way!

First 1/4 mile wasn't too bad. Probably switched hands around 6-7 times at most as grip was still fresh. After that first lap, though, I could tell it wasn't going to be easy by any stretch. So, I opted to walk a 1/4 mile lap between each carrying lap to give a bit of a break, and although it helped, it was still really freaking tough.

Next lap was with the RT only, trading off around 8-9 times on this run. Now I can really, really feel things getting tough. Walk again to recover, then I grab the pinch grip block again. This is where it became painful! I swear, I must have traded hands nearly 30 times, most of them in the last third of the lap. My hands were screaming, and I'd occasionally only get 4-5 steps in before having to change hands. Eventually I made it, did my rest lap, and went in for the final one. This time, since I knew there was no way I'd manage with the pinch block I just peeled the 10s off of it and pinched them the whole way. Didn't need too much rest this time, but I'll be damned if my hands weren't automatically moving to a pinch position for the next 30 minutes after I was done.

Needless to say, for grip endurance it sure was interesting, but what I'd like to know is, has anyone else tried this type of grip workout with regularity, and if so, did it carry over to anything else?

VeGripper

[Ray Hansford]

Nice report, Havent tried that before but sounds like 'fun'

[John Wood]

Roger LaPointe posting from John Woods computer:

It's funny that you posted this. My training partner, Adam Madar, and I finally had a nice Michigan day last week and did something very similar. We took my Atomic Athletic Stone Padlocks, I had 25 pounders and Adam had 45 Pounders, and walked the mile to a local elementary school. We set down the padlocks and then did a wide variety of chins and pull ups on the playground equipment and then walked back. I have to laugh when I design workouts for Adam and I, because I am regularly floored by the way Adam has to think differently about basic lifts. For example, for pull ups, I used the high bar in the playground. Adam had to use the top of the swing set. It was better for his grip too, as it was a 2 inch diameter pipe. Why the difference? If you met Adam at the Night of Strength II you would know. While I am 5' 3", Adam is 6' 11"...

Anyway, it was a fantastic workout for both the grip and forarms. It was some much needed aerobic work too.

[Roger LaPointe]

Sorry, I forgot that this is John's computer. This was Roger LaPointe posting that last post. Ooops.

[Rekx]

Vegripper,

What you did sounds like fun, but for me personally I actually try to stay away from endurance typre grip exercises. I try to follow what Brookfield says in MHS that you should choose a block weight that you can hold for 5-10 seconds. And also, like Kinney, I am always trying to "go heavy".

I'd be willing to bet that endurance grip work does have some carryover into single crushing grip. I consider my kettlebell workouts endurance grip. Maybe someone with more knowledge on this can weigh in.

[odin]

I try to do the coin bag carry or something similar around a 1/4 mile track occasionally. I have carried a 33.5 lb coin bag in each hand for 1/4 mile without setting them down at all. I have tried it about 3 times I believe (will have to check my log), and improve each time despite waiting a month or more to try it again at times.

I have also pinched two blob-style York 25s and carried them for an entire mile. I believe I carried them a little over 100 yards before dropping them the first time, and probably set them down about 80 times in all. It took me an hour and 35 minutes to do it, so of course much rest was needed to complete the mile. Next time I do it, I think I will alternate normal pinches with side pinches, that should help me carry it longer each time and work my hands in a new way.

I think it improves my pain tolerance and confidence to do crazy things like that once in a while. Just make sure you don't have to typeor do much else for the rest of the day, because your hands and forearms will be on fire.

[John Wood]

I have walked about 2 and a half miles carrying a 25 pound kettlebell and alternating hands when needed. It really makes your hands feel solid when you get done.

[Clay Edgin]

My farmer's walk bars weigh 70lbs each and I once took them to a school that had a 1/8 mile track to do the grip endurance thing. I'd walk a lap, then set them down and all but sprint for another lap. Then pick them back up and walk a lap, etc. I did 4 laps like this, and on the 5th lap I used the 2" handles on the FW bars and walked as fast as possible and just barely made it the full lap. A great workout.

[Rekx]

^ That's a cool workout Clay.

[MikeP]

I took a 27.5 block weight and passed it back and forth in a pinch grip for 10 min. That was fun but not nearly as long as some. Oh, I didn't use my index fingers, just the 3. It must have some carry over because most rig workers or carpenters (whatever) don't do alot of maxes and some of them have outstanding grip/wrist strength built totally off volume.

[Davekline]

My farmer's walk bars weigh 70lbs each and I once took them to a school that had a 1/8 mile track to do the grip endurance thing. I'd walk a lap, then set them down and all but sprint for another lap. Then pick them back up and walk a lap, etc. I did 4 laps like this, and on the 5th lap I used the 2" handles on the FW bars and walked as fast as possible and just barely made it the full lap. A great workout.

If I saw Clay running with a head of steam, I'd seriously think about getting out of the way.

Out of curiousity, what company did you get your farmer's handles from?

[Clay Edgin]

My dad made the FW handles. Between him and Woodchuck, we've got all the training equipment (besides plates) we'll need!

[danegarreau]

If anyone has the 45 pound plates with the handels cut out of them they are good for real long distance farmer walks.

My friend thought that he would be able to walk a mile with them, i knew he wouldn't, but he tried and got about 1/4 mile, whitch is better than i thought he could.

When you stop and finally set them down your grip and forearms will be screaming for mercy.

[VeGripper]

Interesting to see that quite a few have tried the endurance style grip stuff!

2 days later my hands still aren't back to normal. Looks like I'll reserve this for a once or twice a month shock to my system, but definitely not a frequent event. I probably would have a tough time closing my #1 gripper at this point from being wiped out!

Regarding the 45 lb. plates with handles, I've got a pair, and they seem like they'd be easy for long, long distance without setting down but they're deceptive. The handles on mine aren't wide, but there's a big ridge in the middle so you can't get a good grip and it is amost like trying to grasp a 2" semi-square handle, most of it resting on your half-opened hand on fingertips. Definitely a different feel from normal handles, for sure!

VeGripper

[vince]

i'm going to give it a try, cause i can't do max lifts on the RT - aggravates the area where i had my hernia repair. so at least that is one way i can work my RT without any discomfort.