Farmer's walk equipment - basic questions

BrianD3

Did farmers walks for the first time last night, a humbling experience. I was using two 5 foot regular barbells with up to 66 kg each and found it very difficult to walk for more than a few metres without one or both barbells dipping down in front or back.

Tonight I'll try dumbell handles with similar weight, think I can fit 60 or 70 kg on them - will the much shorter bars make things better/easier?

I also have 20 kg and 50 kg Olympic plates with a rim on them that I can put my fingers under, might try them. Although i'd imagine that the 50 kg plates will be a torture.

Also have two regular 20 kg tri grip plates (like the Irish Lifting ones) I'd imagine these would be too easy given the light weight and ease of gripping.

Does anyone have any comments or suggestions on how I would do farmers walks without purchasing more equipment (i.e proper implements) or modifying my bars by welding etc.

BrianD3

OK the dumbeblls are no good, the plates kept hitting my legs.

The 50 kg plates with the ridge are quite comfortable to carry apart from the grip which is a torture for the tips of the fingers.

imnothim

the simpleset thing that springs to mind is get 2 builders rubble bags or coal bags and put whatever weight your carrying in them . (it wouldnt be a farmers walk technically).
your grip will be tested too

JJayoo

These plates are from Irish lifting. In the video I was using some old rope but if it's much easier if you have some chain and a clip. Just be careful you don't catch your fingers when you leave the plates down. I have done this with 75 kg each side and it worked perfectly.

BrianD3

Great idea JJayoo. I don't have many tri grip type plates so while the "handles" for my FW will be tri grip, the rest of the plates won't be. I think i'll still be able to attach them .

Also your video has given me an idea to saw the end off a barbell or dumbbell and use it as a sort of stub axle for extra plates while I grip the tri grip plate closest to me.

Scuba Ste

You could tie the plates to your dumbbell handles like this guy

http://youtu.be/G9KZzH7jw3k

deadlybuzzman

BrianD3 wrote: »

Also your video has given me an idea to saw the end off a barbell or dumbbell and use it as a sort of stub axle for extra plates while I grip the tri grip plate closest to me.

I seen a video of a guy using a similar set up as what you're describing but he used it to load up plates to simulate lifting stones. Thats 2 exercises you can do with 1 bit of kit!
Also just get some pipe of the correct diameter, much cheaper than sawing up a bar

BrianD3

Thank for the suggestions, the dumbbell handle + plate video is another good one. I think it would be practical to chain two or 3 big plates to a handle like this.

For the weekend I am going to work with what I have i.e. farmers walk with the 50 kg plates and grip them under the ridge with the tips of my fingers. WIll be horrendous

imnothim

A rope or even a trouser belt through the hole will the grip easier

BrianD3

Thanks imnothim I tried some old belts, they snapped.

This evening I put a tri grip 20 kg and 3 x 10 kgs on one side of a dumbbell then turned the dumbbell so that the "empty" side was facing outwards and did FW while gripping the tri grip plate. This worked quite well.

BrianD3

Here are my improvised implements. Each is 10 + 20 + 10 +`15 = 55 kg. The 15 kg is an olympic plate that is not secured but it stays reasonably in place during the walk. However if I try to add another plate or use a bigger plate the plate(s) will flop around or unbalance the handle too much.

squod

I was planing on making a 6'' tall, 4' long box with timber, filling it with concrete and using two Concrete Reinforcement Steel Bars for handles.

Tried it with rope and iron girders there during the week. Can't afford girders. I'll have to use concrete!

BrianD3

I have managed to add another 7 kg per implement using lead weights but there is little scope for adding more than that. So now I'm thinking of getting proper gear.

Irish lifting have them as do Strength Shop, see below link. Does anyone have a comment? These are fairly long and are loadable with weights at either end - would this result in a balance issue with the front or back dipping down as I experienced when trying to use barbells? I'd imagine that the nearer the main weight is to the handle, the better.

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/weekly-specials/deluxe-plate-loadable-farmers-walks.html

Hanley

BrianD3 wrote: »

I have managed to add another 7 kg per implement using lead weights but there is little scope for adding more than that. So now I'm thinking of getting proper gear.

Irish lifting have them as do Strength Shop, see below link. Does anyone have a comment? These are fairly long and are loadable with weights at either end - would this result in a balance issue with the front or back dipping down as I experienced when trying to use barbells? I'd imagine that the nearer the main weight is to the handle, the better.

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/weekly-specials/deluxe-plate-loadable-farmers-walks.html

I've done trips with bodyweight in each hand on the TDS ones supplied by Irish Lifting with no drama. They're nicely balanced. Only criticism is the knurling's a bit blunt.

I don't like the look of the strength shop ones personally!

BrianD3

Thanks for that Hanley. The TDS ones look decent. By any chance do the Olympic sleeves come off the ends allowing regular 1 inch hole weights to be added.

I have a pile of regular weights that I'm not doing a whole lot else with and will use them for FWs or some other type of carry if possible. I previously tried to give them away to a few friends and colleagues - but they would rather whinge and moan about being out of shape than take my weights (would cost 500+ quid if bought new) and use them.

Turbo_diesel

Brian try Dublin 8 fitness. I bought a couple of 20kg Handles off them recently which are the same ones irish lifting stock only they were cheaper. You won't be able to use cast iron plates on them. You could also try Gorilla gym equipment & get them to build something suitable. The heavier the handle the better in my opinion. Less hassle loading the plates! You could also try this dude!


http://www.donedeal.ie/mobile/for-sale/gym/4552827

BrianD3

Still working with what I have, up to 75 kg (my BW) per hand now.

I am using 20, 10, 20 tri grip, 10, 15 on a hollow dumbbell handle that I got with an Argos vinyl weights set years ago. All regular plates. No fixed inner collars on this handle so plates can be loaded all the way across. I have lost the crappy plastic spinlocks that came with it so have drilled holes in both ends and put bolts through to secure the plates. I think there's scope for adding at least another 20 kg.