Parts missing... parts replaced.

Without going into the ins and outs of why when I finally moved to Wales I wasn't able to bring all of my training kit I'd managed to assemble over the years. I think, without checking, that I had at one point some 30+ grippers. Most of these were won or donated.

I was able to bring a small amount of standard 1-inch bore plates, certainly enough for a pinch workout or three, but ended up being limited by the load capacity of the Luton van my son-in-law Lee and myself used. As any of you who've moved home AND have a home gym of some training kit will know 1500kg is NOT enough of a capacity.

So not only was stuff missing (stolen, sold, scrapped - who knows - together with a good deal of furniture. I'm out well over 3000 quid based on what it cost me) but some stuff had to stay behind. Throw in kit that belonged, so to speak, to the gym itself (now sold off in lieu of bills and the gyms doors will be locked for the final time real soon) that could also not make the journey, or even a return journey and I had need, if only to have a home gym again, of replacing some bits.

One has to temper any temptation to go on a shopping spree with a need for other works needed at the new place (see my Facebook album here). Yet even though I am awaiting the day of running water, followed by hot water and more, the card has been abused. It did, it would seem, take some persuading for Bodypower / Fitness Superstore to accept that I WAS the cardholder. Having moved from an address in Kent to Wales the billing address was not the delivery address. A few hoops jumped through and I now await delivery of some 325-kilos in Olympic 2-inch bore plates.

Watsons (via Savage Strength), on the other hand, had no such issues and so I already have a lightly knurled, tubular 'thick bar' insisting  in the rack. My Vulcan gripper, shortly to be upgraded by virtue of a collector wanting a V1 version and so sending a new V2 in its place and some grippers made it. Missing is my old and faithful Ironmimd 3 and ALL the CoC 4's I had. I could go on but it's energy wasted and I plan on winning more at the next competition.

I do have to say I have, as before, been surprised and grateful for the kindness others have shown. I'm being helped in my contest prep by one buddy and another helped sell on some bits-n-bobs that remained (we split the cash). It IS a shame stuff never made it but training goes on and I can always use the annoyance as a motivator for various up-coming sessions of working out. So I'll grit my teeth, grind out another rep and get the f@@k on with it. You with me?

Thick bars and handles

Another oldie (short n sweet. I've written longer versions for another as yet unfinished e-book):

Oh man you're gonna love these... or maybe you'll curse all the way through each and every brutal set but you'll love the stimulus, growth and deep bastard burn you'll get. What am I on about... thick bars and handles!!

Robert B makes a series of cable attachment style handles including v-bars, low row cable handles and more. Just recently I took a stock item or two out of the warehouse and clipped them onto the lat pulldown machine. With 'willing' victims, Harry Shahlaei (brother  of WSM competitor Laurence) and his buddy Tom finishing their tricep workout I suggested that they 'give these a try'.

For some reason, ha ha, they didn't thank me. Perhaps, starting with the thick V-Bar attachment (see it on this site), it was because gripping harder than usual means that the triceps contracted harder than usual. Hence, in just one set (of three) they got double the intensity. I then gave them the thick pulley handle to try and with them turning into the machine (an old trick) and hanging on for grim death... or better tricep growth... which ever came first... they did one set of sweeping down and back single arm tricep pushdowns.

Harry and I have a little 'who's got the biggest guns?' rivalry going. At 280lbs, 6'3  and a much longer time training with a pump I've had 20-inches. Harry is a little shorter and a whole lot younger but he had his right arm, pumped and flexed to a tad under 19-inches on Thursday last. His biggest yet! Did the thick handles help? What do you think? 

You don't need to be grip specialists (Tom and Harry aren't, although they'll pinch now and again) to use thick bars in your training. Give them a try... then stand back and watch out!!

Watson Gym Equipments new New Multi Purpose Heavy Duty YokeI like the thought process

I like the thought process and I'm never that sure about the cost involved but the look, quality and finish are without question. This their New Multi Purpose Heavy Duty Yoke looks great. A wanna be strongman in my training dreams. 

I especially like what appear to be a new slant on the adjustable safety bars. Unless I'm mistake this looks like it does not require a pop/push pin. Regardless, it looks great. As yet not on their site (saw this on Face Book).