Look at this animal!

BrianD3

Some info on and pics of a guy doing pinch-grip chin-ups from the rafters in his garage.
http://www.dragondoor.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?rm=mode3&articleid=137

Anyone who knows anything about doing chin ups will realise just how impressive this feat is.

BrianD3

kazzer

Thats some grip there.

BrianD3

Apparently this guy can also do pinch grip chins with BW + 75 lbs. He can also do a ONE FINGER chinup with a more normal style grip. Amazing. I believe the guy is a former gymnast which is not surprising.

BrianD3

Pherekydes

I used to do ordinary (superstars style) chins. That is one fantastic feat. I couldn't even imagine trying one in my prime. I'll show my son and see what he thinks. I'll get back to you...

OfflerCrocGod

It must hurt :eek: it's all in the grip I could never do that, I'd break my head

<edit>Anyone know about this book Power To the People? is it a scam of some sort....

trotter_inc

Normal chin-ups are enough for me thanks

ferdi

loon- a -c

BaZmO*

I dunno?!! Is that even real? It just doesn't look real and is it even possible to do it?


B.

BrianD3

I think it's real alright. Photo looks real and Brad Johnson posts regularly in the dragondoor forum about pinch grip chins. It is some feat but probably something that a lot of male gymnasts could manage with a bit of training. Those guys have unbeliveable strength and grip for their size.

I attempted these myself using the "weighing scales method" described in the article. I was able to reduce the reading on the scale by about 35kg - which is a million miles away from being able to chin my full bodyweight with a pinch grip. Using a normal grip I can chin my BW + 44 kg for one rep which is better than most people can manage so I do know a thing or two about chinning.

BrianD3

Boru.

Hi OfflerCrocGod,

The Power to the People book, while not as revolutionary as Dragondoor hype would have you believe does have some very useful information. I've studied most of Pavel's work and applied it both to my own training and that of my clients and have to this date been quite pleased with the results. Pavel esentially focuses in two exercises, the deadlift and one arm press, and variations of these movements.

The theory on working just these two exercises is sound and does work although many may find that it becomes repetitive and boring. Theses exercies are then done to a pyramid set, again not revolutionary but presented well. You start with a weight 85% of your max, do five reps, then 75% and four reps...etc.

The key to it is in maximal tension, a principle under used in training today, and based on the law of irradiation. Its very hard but it works. In summary, if you have the money to spare, its worth a read.

Also I've seen that chinup done before at a Pavel seminar. It is a humbling sight.

memorex

Hi Boru,

Interesting info. Would you recommend the book to a casual exerciser?

Most of my exercise is fairly ad hoc long cycle commute to work, some long cycles at the weekend, a bit of weight training here and there. As a result I have a decent level of fitness but I currently am not on a programme. Having said that I'd like to improve my overall strength/muscle.

This book/plan interests me from the point of view that you are learning a small set of exercises and I don't have to invest in gym membership or weights. Its easy to get carried away by the hype on the site, but would you say that the book would fit into an ad hoc exercise regime? Does it genuinely give results or (as ever) would the same results be obtained by signing up in a gym and putting in the same effort?

Cheers,
Mem.

Boru.

Hi memorex,

As good as Power to the People is it is quite procey for a casual read. The equipment used throughout is an Olympic weight set. And of course can be done from home. However what might suit your lifestlye schedule better is his book the Naked Warrior. Now I know that sounds fishy but here me out.

The Naked Warrior again focuses on only two exercises, a one-handed push and a one legged squat known as the pistol. The book detail the overall body benefits of just these tow exercises again, incorporating the concept of maximal tension. Both are very hard to do, and the book describes the various exercises and progressions to make it to that level and then harder.

In this book however he also advocates the development of strength as a skill, and he is quite right to do so. As such he proposes a program called Grease the Groove ot GTG. Essentially this boils down to doing half the number of reps you are maximally capable of, thus ensuring good form and developing the nerves controllingthose muscles....this was breifly refferred to in the rafter pullup article when he mentions he never goes to failure.

You can then do the program to fit your schedule, doing a few reps randomly whenever you have the time.

Not only does this work, but you have the added benefit of being able to show off a one arm push up and one leg squat, two incredibaly different moves! Believe me when I tell you there execution i impressive.

As I mentioned breifly above I studied Pavel's theories for quite a while, and although I don't agree with everything he says, and somethings are just incorect, I have ound time and agin that the underlying proncipals are both sound and devestatingly effective.

My only concern is that I sound like a rep for dragondoor...personally I think they overcharge enormously.

In regards to your final query as to getting the same results in a gym, the answer is yes, if you have an educated and open minded instructor showing you the techniques. Unfortunately I don't know any who do. Pavel's program's are based on the idea of solo home training, with either body weight, kettlebells or Olympic bars. You can apply the principals to everything however, be it gum machines, free weights, or your living room floor.

If you'd like to look at it before you buy it, I'd be more than happy to show you the book and also demonstrate some of the key exercises, to give you a better idea of the techniques and wether you think you could apply them to your schedule.

Fudger

picture no 4 is missing, thats the one where he is in a heap with his head covered in tide & lenor liquid and a busted dryer..........

FX Meister

Kind of on a similar scale, the one arm lever from John Gill, here.

trotter_inc

FX Meister wrote:

Kind of on a similar scale, the one arm lever from John Gill, here.

Jays - thats class - will start practicing tonight!

memorex

Hi Boru,

Thanks for the info, again very interesting. I'd agree that the prices on dragondoor seem a little steep. But I guess that's the price you pay for the speciality stuff they carry. Yeah, from experiences in gyms I always found a good instructor hard to find. Usually the best advice came from the long term members.

I'm off to check out that naked warrior book now...

Cheers,
Mem.

Musashi

How do we know the pinch grip photos were not fake?? He could easily be nailed onto those rafters meaning he couldn't possibly fall off! Cheater......................