Weak Grip

[Cruncholi]

Hi Educated Crowd:
I am having a problem with a weak grip or loss of forearm strength during Power Hour. I have been doing PH for about 3 weeks and noticed that by the time I get to the dead lifts and dead rows, my forearms and hands are so weak that I cannot keep my grip on enough weight to make the dead lifts and rows worthwhile. I have tapes, so I can't (don't have time) really do any DVD magic to switch around the order of the exercises. On one hand, this is good because I am getting stronger on dead lifts and rows, but it is annoying on the other hand. Is anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Cruncholi

 

[wendyloo]

Can't help you, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have this sensation with most of Cathe's tapes :-( I tried to work in extra sets of the forearm work for S&H series once a week to help gain strength. It may have worked, but I didn't keep up with it... ;-)
Wendy

 

[Connie1]

This has been my problem in the past too and may crop up again now that I have started PS. One thing I have found out- do not rely on straps beecause they encourage your grip to remain weak.

I got straps and they were more trouble than they're worth.

Cory Everson has forearm work in her "Get Hard Arms & Shoulders" but she holds a weight with both hands and this torques my wrist. So I do it one-handed with her and rewind to do the other side. If I had a weight in both hands they would clank together too much.


1. Forearm raises: Done standing,these are overhand barbell raises in the bottom half of the range of motion, like half of a bicep curl

2. Wrist flexion: Seated, back flat and elbow scooted close to but not on the knee (I cross mine so my hand is toward the opposite knee but Cory has both hands straight ahead), palm up, starting and ending with a straight wrist, flex upward about a 90 degree range of motion

3. Wrist extension: Seated, palm down, raise from straight position. The opposite of wrist flexion.

These reps are done more rapidly than biceps curls.

This topic is very important to me because I am a dental hygienist and there is a shortage of hygienists whose arms and wrists are in working order! So I am determined not to become a statistic.

I look forward to getting S and H for the forearm work...

Hope this helps.
-Connie