If you missed my last story about one of the exercises I saw in a commercial gym you can read about it in the post below.
But this one blow even that away. My friend ended up visiting that same gym the next day. And this is what he saw. This is no April Fools joke!
A man came over to the dumbbells and picked a 100 pounder. Using two hands he lifted it off the rack and set it straight on the floor. He then rolled the weight halfway across the gym to the bench he was using.
From there he wrapped his wrist straps round and round to make sure his hand was secured on the dumbbell. And then his set of partial one-arm rows began. They had to be called partial because he wasn’t even getting halfway up.
I wish I had seen this one first hand, but I’m afraid if I did I would have burst into laughter. And it definitely would have distracted me from my workout.
Now I know the chances of this guy reading this are very slim. However here’s just a few pieces of advice I’d give him. Perhaps you can benefit from the lessons.
First off, ever hear of a farmer’s walk? It’s a great exercise and all it involves in carrying a weight hanging by your side. Normally you use two weights, one for each hand, but you could do it with just one. Even a little work on this will save you the embarrassment of rolling weight across the gym.
Secondly, if you can’t hold onto a weight you shouldn’t be using it. Yes, in some extreme cases like a hands and thigh lift I can understand the need for straps, but in general you should be able to HANDle the weights you use. If your hands are weak make them stronger.
And lastly use a full range of movement. Many people like to cheat themselves in the efforts to use a heavier weight. Considering this guy couldn’t even carry or grip the dumbbell, this was obviously too much for him.
There is a time and place for partial movements as part of more advanced training. But in general, always go full range even if you have to use less weight to do it.
If you’ve got any stories of commercial gym insanity I’d love to hear them so send them in.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Hand Strength, Lifting Technique, Strength Training Concepts by on Apr 3rd, 2009. Comment. 
Just an update today. There’s two new Feats of Strength up on the site.
These moves have always been some of my favorites. I always include some from of pullups or chinnups in my workouts. This page includes some feats very few will work up to.
There’s a progression to follow if you find climbing a rope is too easy. Try two ropes and then go inverted. Always good for a little fun.
No videos yet but there will be more soon on this and many other feats.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Bodyweight Exercise, Feats of Strength by on Apr 20th, 2009. Comment.
One common question I get when people see me doing feats of strength like tearing a phonebook or deck of cards in half is how do you get started?
When people get exposed to these feats enough, and have been training regularly, they figure they might as well give it a try.
If that describes you I’ve got a new article that gives you a few tips on how to get started in feats of strength.
On a similar note, if you’re interested in card tearing (one of the three recommended starter feats) listen up.
Until recently you couldn’t find any quality instruction on how to do this feat. Unless you knew someone who could teach you (as if there are that many people who can do this feat on the planet!) you were basically left up to your own devices.
The greatest card tearer in the world, Dennis Rogers, made a video on how to do it but it was only available for his coaching members. And, unfortunately, you can no longer get it.
But now Diesel Crew is on the job. If you’ve read their Bending ebook you know the quality and depth of the information. That book is probably more responsible for getting people bending steel than anything else.
And they just released a new ebook on Card Tearing.
Having learned from Dennis Rogers himself I didn’t know if I’d learn anything new from this book. Boy was I wrong.
This is a jam packed manual that’ll give you all the details on card tearing you could possibly want. Different techniques for tearing, tons of methods of progression, supplementary exercises, and much more.
Before you head over to the page to get your copy I want you to know I never recommend something I don’t personally use and endorse. Get the Card Tearing ebook.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you want to learn how to tear cards you need plenty of cards to practice on. (Besides the two techniques for practicing ripping cards without cards on pages 106-108 in the ebook.)
When you order and forward me your receipt I’ll share with you an extra technique as well as my top places to get cards for cheap. Get the Card Tearing ebook!
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment.
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