My open hand support strength has been improving dramatically with the changes I have made in my training.
Juli and PRasarous are both fans of the Inch Dumbbell
When I first started lifting the Inch Dumbbell I was able to get in a few lifts after I was warmed up, probably every other day. If I did lift it that day, I would be unable to do much else for grip. It was either lift the bells or do other things.
Within a few months I was able to lift them 4-5 days a week for a few reps.
Then I was able to lift them everyday with a brief warm up, and began to try for various stunts such as rows, high pulls, and can lifting with the Inch.
As this improved more and more, I was able to get in more work in other areas. Instead of doing less grip work per day I was doing much more. I have gotten much more consistent stopping the bell on the toss and catch and farther distances in the Double Inch Farmers Walk. Then the challenge of cleaning the Inch began.
Recently I have been able to break the Green Bell off the floor. It is from Strongergrip.com, a huge globe bell filled completely with lead. It is over 100 kg in weight, with the same diameter handle as the Inch Dumbbell but it is way smoother.
I wanted some additional challenges, so I tried out lifting the Inch 100 times as fast as I could. The results are below
I think lifting the bell over 100 times was harder than the squatting volume I have done. It is really low to the floor, and it is extremely hard to maintain the grip. My heart was pumping and I was drenched in sweat at the end.
I have my next moves outlined. I will take it easy next week as I prepare for US Nationals in Wooster OH. Movement Minneapolis is bringing down a team to compete, it will be an awesome time.
Some of you collect toys or dolls, I collect challenge dumbbells...
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