Remember the StrongerGrip Mighty Hand Trainer? Great thing.

Here it is in action :

Incidentally, when you're grabbing one, just enter the code MONSTER when you check out for a chunky %13 discount. The StrongerGrip Mighty Hand Trainer.

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I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From The Vault : Suspension Training 101
  Derek 'D-Rock' Peruo | Follow @DerekPeruoCSCS
  Where do you start?

  
  

• Looking At : Nov 15, 2015
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.

NB : If you're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : Muscle-Up Technique

Great exercise.

Gymchat 277 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly.

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Previously : In Gymchat 245 we discussed Grip Strength (with the insanely strong Jedd Johnson, joined by Personal Trainer and Strength Athlete Josh Hewett). Great conversation.

If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video here.


NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week : Bending Steel = Increased Strength Endurance

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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A friend of mine asked me over the weekend why I bend things. It's partly because it's fun, and partly, well, I'll let Adam explain.
There are many great reasons for bending things, as 'Unbreakable' Adam Glass notes in the article Why Bend Steel? Apart from the simple 'because it's downright fun' :

The increase in strength and power naturally will carry over to an increase in your endurance. Anyone who has bent a nail will tell you the first time they bent it was so tiring. I have watched people sweat bullets bending their first respectable nail. As time goes on you gain huge reserves of power. A personal testament to this level of power for me was October 2007 when I bent 150 60D nails in one hour using the double under (DU) grip. That represented a massive improvement from Jan 2007, when bending 10-15 nails left my hands extremely fatigued.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Mighty Hand Trainer (Video)

Remember the StrongerGrip Mighty Hand Trainer? Great thing.

Here it is in action :

Incidentally, when you're grabbing one, just enter the code MONSTER when you check out for a chunky %13 discount. The StrongerGrip Mighty Hand Trainer.

---

Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Very interesting tool.

Say hello to the Mighty Arm Trainer; based on the Gonzo Grip (now the Mighty Hand Trainer, pictured at left), together with some wonderful insights by Mike Moeller. Available Sep 26.

To check it out - and to pre-order one - swing by the Strongergrip site :

http://www.strongergrip.com/armwrestling/mighty-hand-trainer/

Good stuff.

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I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From The Vault : Jaw Lifting - What, Why and How
  Ryan Pitts
  How to do it the Right way.

  
  

• Looking At : Sep 13, 2015
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : Deadlift Considerations, & Performing the Romanian Deadlift (RDL)

Great explanation Alan.

Gymchat 277 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly.

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Previously : In Gymchat 250 we discussed Serious Training for Ignored Populations (with Personal Trainer & Massage Therapist Bill Kociaba, joined by Strongman & Personal Trainer Josh Hewett). Great conversation.

If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video here.


NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week: Fine-Tuning Your Lifestyle

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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One of the areas that Josh Hewett and Adam Farrah covered in Gymchat 255 - Pillars of Paleo was the general approach to fine-tuning your lifestyle. Though the specifics will obviously vary from person to person, Adam outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : The Mighty Arm Trainer

Very interesting tool.

Say hello to the Mighty Arm Trainer; based on the Gonzo Grip (now the Mighty Hand Trainer, pictured at left), together with some wonderful insights by Mike Moeller. Available Sep 26.

To check it out - and to pre-order one - swing by the Strongergrip site :

http://www.strongergrip.com/armwrestling/mighty-hand-trainer/

Good stuff.

---

Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Looks great.

James Retarides' Strong Arm Tactics: Training and Technique in Competitive Armwrestling is a look at the world of competitive armwrestling - the various techniques and methods employed by a number of the sport's greatest athletes.

Take a peek at the 'Look Inside' part of the Amazon page, or grab the full version and dive right in. Strong Arm Tactics.

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I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From The Vault : The Hack Squat
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  Wonderful exercise.

  
  

• Looking At : Apr 26, 2015
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Blueprint to Cut

A fascinating insight into Arnold Schwarzenegger's approach to training. Good stuff.

NB : It's a fairly lengthy (42 minutes) video, so sit back and put your feet up. And if you'd like to download it for later viewing, you can do that using something like Keepvid.

Gymchat 277 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly.

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - there's a full list here. And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Previously : In Gymchat 276 we discussed How to GRIND for Your Gains (with Strength Coach (and Strength Athlete) Nassim Jebran and Personal Trainer and Strength Athlete Josh Hewett). Great conversation.

If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video here.

Tip of the Week: A Routine for Neck-Training Beginners

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

---

I love a dose of neck training. Using a neck harness, a fitness ball, bodyweight exercises and so on. There are certainly more than a few ways to do it.

This tip comes to us from one of the Gymchats on this area, and is a routine aimed at complete neck-training beginners who are looking to get started on this wonderful journey. Over to Andrew Nalepa.

Good news for anyone who is beginning neck training, "you" are pretty much all you need. I like Mike Bruce's beginner program on Straight to the Bar, but another really simple beginner program is this :

Lay on your back on the floor, or on your bed, and just raise your head, curling your chin to your upper chest, as many times as you can. Then lay on your stomach, and raise your chin to the ceiling as many times as possible. Then lay on your side and curl your ear toward your shoulder as many times as you can, and then lay on your other side and do the same thing.

Many people who have never done any neck training have difficulty just laying on their back and curling just their head 20 times. It is a really simple starting point just using gravity. To progress, you could do more reps, do more sets, or start holding a book to your head as you do your repetitions.

NB : if you like the sound of this and want to further explore the wonderful world of neck training, check out the free guide here. The exercises, equipment and techniques you'll need.

Checking Out : Strong Arm Tactics

Looks great.

James Retarides' Strong Arm Tactics: Training and Technique in Competitive Armwrestling is a look at the world of competitive armwrestling - the various techniques and methods employed by a number of the sport's greatest athletes.

Take a peek at the 'Look Inside' part of the Amazon page, or grab the full version and dive right in. Strong Arm Tactics.

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Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Thanks again to everyone who watched and sent in questions for the discussion Gymchat 230 - World's Strongest Disabled Man [with Strength Athletes and Personal Trainers Jeff King and Josh Hewett] - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Get Extreme With Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite
  Derek Peruo
  Take the red pill.

  
  

• Aerobic Exercise. When is it Too Much?
  'Captain' Kirk Fontaine
  Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? Yep.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Rotational Bodyweight Training

Some very interesting bodyweight work from the Olympia. And I thought the suspended band push-ups were tough.

Gymchats : What Time?

For more than three years now we've been holding the Gymchats (previously called the Twitterchats) at the same time each week - 9pm Eastern (US). That's worked out well.

Having said that, it's probably about time I asked again. If you could choose the ideal day and time to watch them - and to ask a question or three - what time would you pick? On a weekend? Early in the morning on a Thursday? Late on a Tuesday night?

Any time at all. To offer a suggestion, just leave a comment on the 'What Time?' post over on the blog. Cheers.

NB : We'll post up details of this week's discussion shortly, following the above bit of rescheduling. In about 24 hours' time.

Tip of the Week : Finger Pressure

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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Mighty Joe Musselwhite's shared some incredible training methods over the years, for arm wrestling and for forearm work of all kinds. Nice one.

Here's a video from his Mighty Joe's Training Tips series, looking at a key aspect of armwrestling training - building Finger Pressure. Over to Joe.

Love it.

Checking Out : The Rotator Cuff Slosh Pipe

If you're like me, you love building your own fitness equipment from time to time. Whether it's for financial reasons, or simply to investigate a particular type of training before diving in; it's a great way to get started.

Next on the list - here, at least - is a great piece of equipment that Chris Melton shared recently - the Rotator Cuff Slosh Pipe. Nice one Chris.

Quick update on the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System (MGS) we mentioned recently - absolutely fantastic.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video. Warning : you will want one.

Beautiful.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Health & Fitness Research
  Various authors
  There has been some fantastic research posted recently (particularly surrounding Vit D, and new stem cell trials), both on the forums and the Facebook page. Dive in.




• Calculating Your One-Rep Max (1RM) (registered forum members only)
  Scott Andrew Bird
  How do you work out your 1RM? Like this.

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.

NB : I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment beneath the article itself, and share your views with the fantastic strength-training community. Cheers.

Video : Bulgarian Bag Guillotine Series

Interesting way to put the Bulgarian Bag to work. Nice one.

Twitterchat 120 - Exercise Variations

You know the feeling.

Perhaps you've run out plates, or room on the bar. Perhaps you're sick of the routine, and want something a little different. Or perhaps you're just having a great day, and want a bit more of a challenge.

Whatever the reason, there's always a way to switch things up. An alternative exercise, the use of bands or chains; shorter rest breaks and so on.


This week we're discussing these options, and many others. How to make your favourite exercises just a little more interesting, challenging and - in some cases - effective. Looking forward to it.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Exercise Variations
When : Wed Jun 1, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.

The Virtualmeet.net Gathering 2011

Kris, this looks fantastic.

The Gathering is quite simply a way to physically meet those you've only competed against virtually (in the Virtual Meets - great things). It takes place in Kris' own outdoor gym just outside Vaasa, western Finland.

To give you an idea of what goes on during the 4 days of The Gathering, here are some of the photos from the last meet-up in 2009. There's also an excellent write-up by Alberto Caraballo over on his blog The Reinvention Tour.

For full details - and to sign up - head over to the Virtual Meet site. Beautiful.

Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Biofeedback. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.

Tip of the Week: Why Armwrestlers are Called 'Pullers' (and How To Be a Better One)

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us via professional armwrestler Scott Latella, and is part of his superb article How to Become a Better Armwrestler. Enjoy.

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Pulling: If you go to an armwrestling tournament or maybe watch some matches on YouTube you will notice people calling matches pulls or hear armwrestlers being called pullers. Why?? Well the best basic move in armwrestling is to first pull your opponent's arm back to you before trying to press sideways for the pin.
Armwrestling is a leverage sport; gain that advantage and your chances of winning skyrocket. So when getting your grip focus on a nice tight grip, tighten your whole arm so it stays super tight at a 90% angle and then when the ref (or 3rd buddy) says go, yank his arm straight back to you (aim for your nose). If he is not ready for this his arm will open up and you will have a great leverage advantage. At this point you go for the pin and thrust sideways. Can you say winner??

Checking Out : The StrongerThanU Ultimate Anchor

This is a great idea.

StrongerThanU is a collaboration between StrongerGrip's Ryan Pitts and trainer Eric Chessen. This product - the StrongerThanU Ultimate Anchor - is a superbly simple concept; an anchor point for undulating rope training, for up to 4 people at once. If you train groups of people using things like the Battling Ropes, the StrongerThanU Ultimate Anchor really is an essential piece of kit.

Beautiful.

Quick update on Explode Your Deadlift : A few weeks ago we mentioned Explode Your Deadlift, Andy Bolton's much anticipated ebook on deadlift training.

As I'm more than a little partial to the deadlift, I'm a big fan. What do you think - has Explode Your Deadlift helped you in your own quest?

A great read.

First question you may have is what are NSD Powerballs?? Well the NSD Powerball is a revolutionary new Gyroscope which literally explodes with mind numbing inertial forces once you activate its internal rotor!

Now when I first read about the NSD Powerballs and their promises of everything from joint rehab to building powerful hands and wrist I was a little skeptical. I mean really? As a Professional Armwrestler I found it hard to believe that I was going to feel anything more then a little Sunday afternoon forearm pump, but like many non-mainstream sports athletes I'm game to give almost anything a try if it means sports improvement. So I bought a couple NSD Powerballs and here are my reviews.

I started out with the 250Hz Powerball with the speed counter. The 250Hz is a plastic lightweight gyro that is easy to start with the starter cord or thumb start (once I saw a "how to" video on YouTube). Happy to say the forearm pump was fast and my hands & wrists got a really good workout after just a couple sets. The speed meter (to measure your rpm) attached on top made the workout a lot of fun because I kept on trying to top my high RPM score (some addiction there lol). The 250 Hz is the kind of powerball you can use a lot and almost everyday as it gives you the perfect low impact workout. At $40 it's a bargain for the kind of workout you'll get again and again.

Next up is the 350Hz lightweight metal powerball, aka "The Raptor". The raptor shows up in a beautiful protective case, extra parts, and some fun goodies. The Raptor reminds me of the movie Jurassic Park when the old guy says "nothing but the best" because it's amazing. Gold plated, computer balanced so it runs smooth and is the fastest Gyro on the planet. (The world record is 20,090 rpms by Akis Kritsinelis). Even with my years of hand and wrist training just hitting 15k was a mega workout, burning up my forearms in minutes. At $190 the Raptor is a little pricey so it may not be your first NSD choice but after trying some of the other products you'll be putting the Raptor on your Christmas list.