Why did I ever wait so long to buy myself new bars?
Weightlifting legend Tom Hirtz advised me, "A good bar is critically important. This is your sport. Don't wreck the experience with a shit bar. Save money and buy cheaper bumpers, but go with a decent bar."
I purchased two bars from Pendlay, 20KG and 15KG, bushing class. This is one of the best investments I have made in my training life. I'd been getting along with a used bar that was probably geared for typical gym use, like most bars are.
Weightlifting bars are specially engineered for the sport. They can take being dropped with a lot of weight on them. They can take being slammed into racks. They bounce, bend, spring and generally have more life to them.
The Pendlay bars were the best value I could find. There are some comparable deals out there, but Pendlay impressed me with their professionalism, serious pride in workmanship, attention to detail (Read the specs on the bar on their site. It's more information than you need, and much more than anyone else goes into. I like that.), their reputation among old timers, their reputation for standing behind their warranty, and their value for the price. And their bars are made in the U.S.A.
They claim they are the only barbell company in the world using a single-piece collar construction. Their bars are capped on the ends, and if you uncap them, it voids their lifetime warranty. That's great, because if you've ever lost a bar to the ends unscrewing until the threads wear out, like I have, you know this means the difference between the bar being usable and a piece of garbage.
The Pendlay bars are zinc-coated, which they claim will absorb into the bar, making it resistant to chipping. That's big.
These bars are works of art. They're truly beautiful (okay, if you're a gym geek, they are). The dimensions and finish are consistent throughout. They feel terrific in the lift. They are responsive and can take abuse. The grooves on the ends are hard enough that they're wearing down the centers of my bumpers, instead of the other way around. I really feel like I am getting a lot for my money with these bars. I don't notice any difference between Pendlay and bars in weightlifting gyms or even competition.
I have heard Pendlay can occasionally have slightly sharp edges on the knurling that you might need to file down with a metal file. This was not my experience. The knurling is pronounced, but not to a detrimental degree. That said, I am skinning my hand-to-thumb knuckles from rubbing the knurling when I pass the bar back down to the platform from jerks. But I can avoid it with awareness. I'm just having a hard time remembering to do that.
Although their website is slick, the online ordering process is pretty Beta. It'll take you a few screens more than you're accustomed to nowadays. But the bars arrive on time and well packaged. My transaction was completed without a hitch, and I can't stop talking about how nice it is to lift with these bars.
One thing I'd like to see from a bar maker, though, is a 15 KG bar that is the same diameter as the 20, for those of us who want to use a lighter bar for some things, but do not have small hands.
Note - Pendlay now offers a higher class of bar which uses needle bearings instead of bushings. They cost a bit more. I don't see anything lacking in my bushing bars, but perhaps it would make a difference with really heavy weight.
Bushing class bars, both 20 and 25 KG, $299. Also a 10 KG Junior bar for $269. Shipping not included. When you order, be sure to check out their specials. I picked up a couple of bumpers for a good price.
Pendlay HD NexGen Olympic Bar
Pendlay weightlifting bars
Harbinger weightlifting gloves
A pair of lifting gloves is one of the most personal and lasting things a person will ever have in her gymbag. They are truly indispensable - fitting the roles of necessity, ritual, and enhancement. The right pair of gloves is an extension of the self.
I've only had four pairs in my lifting life. The first pair appealed to a younger friend so much that they disappeared with him. The second pair wore out. The third - oh, the third - have been with me almost ten years now, and they're performing beautifully. See below for the fourth.
When I faced the rows of gloves in the sports store for my third pair, I reached for the cheapest ones on the rack. My husband, being the fantastic partner he is, urged me to invest in a good pair. So I got the Harbingers. They were $30, and I about choked when I handed all that cash over. Heh. Talk about money well-spent.
Harbinger makes several different weightlifting gloves. I own their "classic wristwrap gloves."
They're tough. The grip is excellent. The leather is solid, the velcro secure without clotting every piece of fuzz and hair they come across. They're comfortable enough that I often mow the lawn with them, or after a work out, leave them on while I pick up the mail or give the kitties a scratch.
The patented wristwrap is the kicker. It's a cinch to snug up for bicep curls, chest press, whatever exercises call for some wrist stabilization. When you don't need it, you just loosen it up and forget it's there. While a few other companies feature wristwraps in their gloves, what sets Harbinger's design apart is that wrap goes across the hand, for full, effective stabilization. It's also handy as a skin guard when you want to do something creative that involves wrapping rubber bands or something around your wrist or forearm.
They're easy to take on and off during a work out, and while I'm not a sweater, I've never had a problem with wet palms in these. After all these years, the only thing that's changed is the palms are getting smooth and shiny. So they've got a bit of wear to show for all their years of work. Just like I do. And I like seeing that.
No wristwrap
But you don't always need or want wrist protection. I'm using the 154 women's power glove most frequently these days. They're fast and easy to take on and off, lightweight and comfortable. Lycra backs give them stretch, leather palms give them grip. The coverage is minimal. They're the fastest ones to grab for a quick set of pull-ups or impromptu hoeing in the garden (that's right). And at ten bucks, they're such a great deal that I sprang for two pair, one for the gym bag and one for home.
Cadillac?
The new women's 1255 is marketed as the fancy-schmancy end-all of women's gloves, with high-tech fabrics and a gel palm. They look a lot like the classic. The main difference between this design and the men's is the length of the fingers. Interesting that some Harbinger gloves marketing copy boasts shorter fingers allow for free movement (on the 154, for example - "short finger length for a natural feel, and increased contact with the lifting surface") yet for this model, copy boasts longer fingers for better protection. I can't stand the longer fingers; they make my hands feel claustrophobic.
Harbinger sells to retailers, who then set their own prices. Here's a list of online retailers, and here's a locator for brick-and-mortar retailers. Or get them at Amazon.
The Complete Sandbag Training Course
Oh, how I love sandbag training! This is one of the most universally accessible methods and tools of strength and general fitness training.
The book The Complete Sandbag Training Course by Brian Jones is exactly what it sounds like. All the pieces are here - making a sandbag, handling it, the exercises, and programs for different people. It's a slim booklet - 48 pages, saddle-stitched - but that's just because it's lean.
The information is well organized, and that's important in an instruction manual. It's full of well-produced photos; Jones demonstrates each move clearly in black-and-white shots.
The printing quality is great for a modest publication like this. So take it from someone who's worked in both the book publishing and the fitness worlds: $13.95 is a fair price for this little gem.
Available from Ironmind.
Jim Schmitz Olympic Weightlifting Book/DVD set
If you're serious about developing as a lifter, I recommend you buy this set. Watch the DVD with the manual in front of you, then make copies of the work out logs, and put the manual and sheets in your gym or gymbag. This program will change your life.
Intimate, cozy, and real. That's the wonderful quality of the 2-DVD set Olympic Style weightlifting - beginning/intermediate level with Jim Schmitz, available from Ironmind.com. In the video, he goes over mechanics, techniques, pitfalls, and walks through the work outs in his companion manual (sold separately for $16.95, or together as a set for $39.95).
It is taught by three-time coach of the USA Olympic weightlifting team, founder and owner of The Sports Palace gym in San Francisco, Jim Schmitz.
I completed this program, I think it's genius. The phases of the program are progressive, and my results are amazing. Schmitz bears his whole weightlifting soul in these materials, giving you the same instruction he's given Olympic champions for decades. He carefully tends each detail you might need while executing these work outs, all the little things he's polished over the decades - how much and when to increase weight, what to focus on in form and technique, even reminders not to rush certain exercises and what to do if you can't quite get it yet. It's like having a personal coach.
Understand, this is a training program designed to develop you as a lifter, not just a how-to on the two big lifts. Plan on dedicating months to this (I completed it in 10). Besides the clean and jerk and snatch, you'll be doing all the supplemental exercises to make you stronger in them - power and hang auxillary lifts, and basics like the incline bench press with the bar and squatting. You'll start with basics and wind up lifting on percentages of your max. That's why this is such a valuable investment for anyone who's serious about Olympic weightlifting training. It's a course designed to take you from general development in the lifts all the way up to competition - and the week after.
Have I sold you on the content? Then let's talk delivery. Here's what you'll either love or hate. The manual is modest in production - spiral-bound, black-and-white photos. The DVD is a homemade production - one man and a camera. There are no flying titles, fancy logos or blazing soundtrack. Jim stops and adjusts the camera, catches his breath, and has a delightful low-key humility, an endearing stammering delivery that's reminiscent of Bob Newhart. It's great to me to see an individual at his level of achievement who comes across devoid of top-dog attitude. It's easy to see why anyone would enjoy training with him.
And he's the real deal: he gives his email address on the DVD and writes it on the disc. (Seriously, nothing fancy in this production! But it's not inferior, as Ironmind might suggest with careful warnings about its "home video" production quality) So yep, I made a video and emailed him, asking for comments. He responded within the week, with quick insight, invited me to events he thought might be in my area, and even hooked me up with a coach of similar stature to himself. He continues to answer my questions and offer encouragement. Talk about return on my investment!
So if $24.95 gives you pause for a homespun instructional DVD and a spiral-bound manual, I'd say don't hesitate. For the quality of content, it's a steal. What's more - there's soul in this. It's not a big company trying to turn a fast buck by repackaging information; it's genuine, it's genius, and it provides a connection with something real - the folks slugging it out in basements and garages, who occasionally slip right up to worldclass.
Here's an interview with Jim on weightlifting training.
Gold Cup, Kanama weightlifting shoes
Gold Cup
These shoes are great. For anyone looking for basic shoes for Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting, or just good shoes for heavy lifting at a great price.
This was my first weightlifting shoe. At $85, it's one of the best deals on the Internet. From Toronto Weightlifting. Made in China. Wooden sole. Fits my narrow foot nicely. It has a flat footbed, nothing fancy (see the Vanama for some innovation here). Least expensive choice I could find, and they ship for free, even to the U.S. These shoes are terrific. I had to exchange the first pair they sent me; I ordered the European equivalent of my normal U.S. dress shoe size, and they were too small. Know and order in your European size for best fit. The exchange went smoothly. These are 1/4" wider than Adidas, they tell me. They lasted me two years, and would last longer if I could part with them long enough to get the strap repaired. Scroll down for wear and damage details.
The Kanama
When the time came, I replaced my Gold Cup shoes with the Kanama, an original design from the same small company. I am thrilled with the Kanama. The difference between this shoe and the Gold Cup makes the $129 price tag seem like a great value. This shoe was designed by Hani Kanama, the owner of Toronto Weightlifting. I spoke with him about this shoe. He's very proud of it. He said he worked for three years on this shoe, with a team of ten designers in the Thailand factory they're produced. It provides more ankle support than the Gold Cup, which he says can be especially important for American lifters, who tend to have flexibility issues there. He is very proud of the high-grade Italian leather, which he said will mold to the foot in just about four work outs, and fit better after a year of wear than when first purchased.
I'm thrilled with mine. They are only slightly wider than the Gold Cup. I lace them snugly and cinch down the strap for a close fit, but there are a couple of gentle wrinkles that tell me these would fit normal widths just fine. The footbed is amazing - it's sort of a reverse arch, on the outside of the foot, to keep you from tipping to either side. The sole is some hard textile; it may encapsulate wood, or it may be solid, but either way, it's good. The strap feels heavy duty, and the Velcro covers the entire inside of the strap, so I expect he addressed the strap weaknesses in the Gold Cup. These shoes look great. The charcoal navy color is very tasteful. There are little touches that make this shoe look and feel great, like it is the product of much thought and care.
Here's a bold promise: Hani said if anyone likes their Adidas shoes better, he or she can exchange them, no problem. Whoa. He said they've been getting lots of good feedback on these shoes.
And about the
Hani was exceptionally nice and helpful, and the shoes are great. While the Gold Cup is a good basic shoe that will serve you well for a couple of years, if you're hovering around the $100 mark, I'd definately make the jump for this shoe, especially if you plan to compete.
There are only a few choices for Olympic weightlifting shoes.
Toronto Weightlifting offers the Gold Cup for $85 and the Kanama for $129. Independently owned by an old timer weightlifter. Supremely helpful, excellent service. Free shipping to Canada and U.S.
- Adidas is what the pros usually wear. Beau coup bucks but the most narrow, and people love them. Two styles - $149.00 and $199.00 online at Dynamic Fitness Equipment, a small, trusted and helpful company. Be sure to check their clearance shoes for a great deal.
- Power Firm is a guy in Canada who sells shoes made in Poland. They're slightly less expensive than Adidas, and look solid. The guy gives good personal service, has you trace your foot on paper for a good fit, and people love them (but they're extra wide, so not for me).
- DoWin shoes are narrower than WerkSan's, but not as narrow as Adidas. It's best to know your European size in order to order. Relatively affordable. Sources are changing at this writing, so please post in the comments if you know of a steady source.
- VS Athletics offers two styles of their own, a great price, comparatively speaking, at $72.00. Wider than average American shoes. Soles are not made from wood, but rather a hard rubber material.
- Werksan - extremely helpful, I'd definitely try them again if I needed something. They actually steered me away from their shoes and onto others, because of my narrow foot. How helpful is that? They sell one style of VS Athletics, plus a Wan Hoa (Chinese weightlifting team shoe), for $79.00 each. They have been known to sell DoWin shoes as well.
- Pendlay Barbell says it plans to shuck all its DoWins by end of 2009 and replace them with their Pendlay Barbell 2010 Series, but in actuality, the new shoe is made by DoWin for Pendlay. They launched the first shoe in August and plan to add more colors by November. There is little information, only that is improved to add stability and support. Width is standard for DoWins - wide. $129.00, launching for $109.00
Note - People used to order from O WOW - Olympic Lifting on the Web - but they no longer sell shoes. They referred me to Werksan.
* * *
Wear update on my Gold Cup shoes, 18 months after purchase
They've worn well. Soles are great, still attached. Body has only slightly loosened, only gentle creasing at toes. Where these have become damaged is in the straps - the Velcro has separated from the leather. This photo shows the early stages. Once it started to separate, it peeled off quickly - each time I drew the strap through the ring. Then one day I was competing in the state championships, and Poof! I had Velcro in one hand and my shoe in the other. A paperclip kept the strap firmly in place for my lifts. The second one I just ripped off soon after. Paperclips are keeping them both secure! The straps could be easily repaired by a cobbler, if only I could part with the shoes long enough.
Kraiburg bumper plates
Prices on weights seem crazily high, no matter what they're made of. I shopped and shopped and compared and compared, and Kraiburg brand, sold through eSportsOnline at Amazon.com with free shipping, came out on top - by far, and I'm gushing over them like a mother with a newborn.
If you're new or a garage lifter and wondering whether you should get bumper plates at all, and you do Olympic lifting or lifts that require plates of this diameter, buy them and don't look back. They'll be one of the best investments you make. It makes all the difference.
On the other hand, if you're looking for the best plates you can buy and you drop the bar at the end of the lift, be warned: these plates are rubber and because of their relative thinness, they will quickly warp with such impact, especially the lower poundages. But it's not a big deal: mine are two years old, and they have not warped any more than the initial warping - and that's not much. They take a lot of abuse and hold up remarkably well.
Final note: one minor drawback is the brass sleeve in the center. Brass isn't a slick metal, so the plates don't slide on and off as easily as you may be accustomed to, but again, really no big deal. The price is right.
Sting Ray
Don't do front squats? You're in the unfortunate majority. Most people don't do this basic, quad-blasting, multi-joint exercise because it's awkward and it hurts. Nevermind the muscle pain; this move hurts from the crush of the bar onto the shoulders and collarbone. The tissue hurts from the pressure, and the pressure passed on through the ribcage can make it difficult to breathe. So no wonder most people try this one out and then forget about it.
It's too bad, because front squats are a great way to activate the quad groups. Mark Pittroff, president of Advanced Fitness, tells me, "You sit so upright in front squats that you use hardly any glute, hip, low back, so the load comes much more from the frontal quad. Years ago Arthur Jones (inventor of Nautilus machines) used sophisticated equipment to test a world-record squatter and found his quads were doing hardly any of the lift. Just the opposite of front squats."
Front squats are a basic exercise of Olympic-style weightlifting, but we hold the bar in a "racked" position instead of the way that this device is designed for. And that's good for the general public, because unless you're training for weightlifting, you probably will use this position. This is great for anyone with flexibility issues.
So whatever your goals, now you can add the front squat to your list of staple exercises, thanks to the Sting Ray. Mark, who brought us the legendary Manta Ray, has once again given the world an indispensable accessory for leg day. (It's been out for a while, but I finally got to try one, thanks to Mark.)
Before I launch into the glowing accolades, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. If you don't normally do front squats, this will feel awkward at first. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, especially getting the bar as close to your body as possible. Load the bar lightly--try about 6x less your regular squat load (there will always be dramatic disparity between the two squat loads). Trying to keep the shoulders raised to 45 degrees is tough, and by nature, it means your anterior deltoids are contracted and bearing the load of the bar throughout the exercise. This is a good one to bring in a spotter for, not only to save you from spills, but to help prop the elbows when the delts fatigue (because you'll keep going, but the arms will drop, and the biomechanics will change). This device doesn't really lend itself to the Olympic lifting grip, so as it emphatically states, follow the directions (see photo for hand position). And by the way, try this on a Smith machine as well as the free bar.
Okay, now to give the Sting Ray its props. From the biomechanical logic to the durable design to the thoughtful practicality of connecting the two components so they don't get separated (like mittens), Mark has once more proven himself as an important inventor in the gym.
I usually write my own thoughts on products, but in this case, the marketing copy from Advanced Fitness really nails it. So, from the company, all backed up by the Mighty Kat, below are the specific benefits of the Sting Ray.
- Lifts the bar off the collar bone allowing full expansion of the rib cage
- Provides easy bar control without stressing shoulder, elbow, or wrists
- Allows the widest rack on the body by moving the load out to the front delt
- Keeps the Humerus in a safe neutral position
- Protects the lifters body so all new repair tissue goes where you want it
- Small and lightweight yet virtually indestructible for years of tough service
The Sting Ray (like the Manta Ray) is made of a high-tech polyurethane polymer. This material is flexible enough in the upward projecting bosses to snap on and off the bar indefinitely, but rigid enough in the thicker sections to act as a load distributor. With the surface area of the bar increased as much as 1600%, the biggest problem with transferring weight to the human body is eliminated.
One last perk -- the rays are made in the U.S.A., in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(About $40 (or combine it with the Manta ray for $75 altogether))
Get it at Advanced Fitness
Manta Ray
Sold in stores and through distributors on many web sites - comparison shop. The Manta Ray has become fairly well known, despite inventor Mark Pittroff's shunning of the spotlight. Pittroff's device may have been the first to address shoulder issues in squats. This 12.5" lightweight blue polyurethane attachment with its graceful lines easily slips into your gym bag, to be snapped directly onto a straight bar. "It transfers the load to the traps exclusively and doesn't involve the shoulder caps. It's a simple load distribution principle where the load is spread over as much as 1600% more surface area than the raw bar. It's like comparing a bed of nails to a single nail," says Pittroff. He claims that since it sits just on the traps, it doesn't involve the delts. This can pay off in your squat for three reasons: one, you still reap the benefits of stabilizer work; two, the decreased discomfort increases your work potential; three, "since the crush injury is eliminated from the upper body, all your bodies ability to build new tissue goes right to the stimulated muscle fibers rather than wasting that effort on damage control" (Pittroff). Pittroff invented, developed and markets his invention, out of belief in its value.
(around $40.00)
Get it at Advanced Fitness or here:
The Frank Zane Leg Blaster
For about the same price as the Safety Squat bar, an even safer alternative is Frank Zane's Leg Blaster. The device stabilizes the weight, placing the load through the shoulders and vertical midline. It distills the squat to a pure leg exercise and allows you to focus your efforts on contraction, not stabilization.
A padded harness makes contact with the shoulders and ribcage. This connects to the rack to prevent the lifter from tipping while loading. "It is engineered to hug your ribcage when you squat with your upper body in an erect position, making it unnecessary to use a lot of weights to get results. You can do any kind of squat simply by changing your foot position. The side weight-bearing arms of the harness angle downward giving you a lower center of gravity making it easier on knees and lower back. You'll find it safer and more enjoyable to build, shape and define your legs," says Zane. One-inch plate holders accommodate regular and Olympic plates. Obviously, this one is not portable. It takes up less space than a squat cage, and is much narrower than a squat bar, straight or "safety".
(around $400)
Get it at Frank Zane Web site
Safety Squat Bar
This squat bar is designed to balance the load directly through the midline, freeing the shoulders to be in safer positions than the straight bar allows. The shoulders are not forced into the vulnerable position of exaggerated external rotation and partial flexion in the frontal plane, which is a common culprit in longterm shoulder injuries for lifters, states its originator, famous Fred "Dr. Squat" Hatfield, the first man to squat 1,000 pounds. "For lifters such as me, this position is so damaging that if it weren't for this particular bar, I would never squat again. I'm a big personal fan of this bar design, and believe every gym should carry one," says Hatfield. In fact, most owners of this bar come to find it specifically because their shoulders can no longer tolerate the position the straight bar forces them into. "The bar has two pegs laying perpendicular to the main bar which rest across the meat of the tops of the upper trapezius muscles. This is where the load is focused, and the bar is balanced. The bar does not need to be held with the arms and hands, as a straight bar does. Forward or downward angles on each end draw the weight into balance" (Hatfield). The lifter is free to move his/her arms, even to grip the squat cage and self-spot, and he/she is not pitched forward as much as with the straight bar, thus protecting the spine.
Various equipment companies offer bars based on Hatfield's design. Although there are pretty standard measurements for the majority of users, these bars can be made custom-made to fit the individual, especially good for smaller framed lifters such as myself. I got my custom-made bar from Sorinex at www.sorinex.com. Ten years later, no structural problems, but the powder coating is wearing off the points of contact with plates and rack.
(around $400)
ShoulderHorn
Because rotator cuff injuries are so rampant in the gym, I cannot recommend this one highly enough.
By isolating and strengthening your external rotators, you can develop minor muscles that often receive less work than they should, thus improving muscular development balance and setting the stage for proper functioning of the shoulder.
"Two of the most underrated muscles of the body are the infraspinatus and the teres minor. These small muscles of the rotator cuff stretch from your shoulder blade to your upper arm. They work together to externally rotate your arm, and to stabilize your arm during almost all shoulder movements. If these two muscles are weak or underdeveloped in comparison to your major chest and back muscles, a muscular imbalance is created that can severely jeopardize your shoulder's integrity, and lead to chronic pain and injury. The ShoulderHorn helps restore your shoulder's natural strength balance by specifically strengthening and conditioning these two key muscles" (ShoulderHorn marketing).
The ShoulderHorn fits closely and comfortable to your body. It rests your arms in the optimum position for isolating and strengthening the muscles of the rotator cuff. Then you simply lift very light weights (important! Approach this as you would a rehabilitation exercise, especially is that is how you are using it.) in the only path of motion available to you. It's pretty foolproof.
My only bone to pick with the ShoulderHorn, and it's a common one, is that the steel bar is covered in the same foam tube used in plumbing - it tears very easily. It's not unusual to see weathered ShoulderHorns covered in duct tape. But now you know in advance, so like me, you can take precautions. Mine is three years old and still like new.
(around $60)
Get it at Better Fitness Products
Bun and Thigh Roller
This device looks as corny as its name sounds, but it has a great use.
Former Mr. America Dean Tornabene invented this compact home device after working with the Swiss ball inspired him. He stabilized the movement and incorporated resistance to mimic the arcing motion the ball provided. It came out in about 2006, but you can still find them.
The motion focuses on both concentric and eccentric contractions of the muscles in the hips, glutes and thighs, with virtually no effect on the knees and back. It's not a heavy load kind of exercise device by any means, but it does allow you to work through some great ranges of motion on the joints from the waist down. Because the spine is supported and at rest, it is out of the movement. The head is supported. The wide-angled arcing motion is easy on the knees. So this would be a great lower body tool for folks dealing with back or neck issues, or various knee or ankle issues.
As embarrassing as that thing looks in my gym, I've kept it around for years, and pull it out now and then for specific uses. As an Olympic-style weightlifter, I use it not for the purposes it's intended for (to strengthen or spot reduce fat), but instead as a passive and controlled stretch for hip extension, which I need in the snatch and in the clean. Look at the line of the body in the logo - that's a great hip opener. It's relaxing. It's a piece of alternative, active rest lounge furniture that I can haul from the livingroom to the porch, and it doesn't scare the cats too much.
Resistance band and arm attachment are sold separately - not included in my price estimate. If you want them, I recommend getting them when you buy the unit, because shipping costs are high. The price new from the manufacturer is around $60, but it's more like $90 after it's all added up. I picked up my second one for five bucks at a garage sale.
Find out how to get it here
TriPower handles
Bobby Mollet is another small businessman innovator offering a significant biomechanically advantaged tools - the TriPower Handles. It seems so obvious, and yet - generally the only handle attachments available for single arm movements force the wrist into pronation or supination only. Yet the natural, neutral position of the wrist is usually the most biomechanically correct position for the wrist and elbow joints, allowing for fuller, safer contractions and full extensions. After breaking his arm, Mollet became keenly aware of this, and his line of handles is a unique solution no lifter and no gym should be without.
Used for single arm isolation exercises, the TriPower Handle works the triceps, biceps, and shoulders in a motion that alleviates undue stress and strain, creating a smoother action and actively motivates the user to workout feeling less pain. The It provides the slight difference in twist and movement which helps ease the stress when performing exercises.
Furthermore, the four different handle styles available are solely for the purpose of single arm exercises as well as isolating your grip strength and control, which in turn, work the muscles in the hand, wrist and forearm. Advanced trainers can also use the handles for abdominal workouts. TriPower Handles can be used on any cable exercise machine or attached to rubber tubing. Mollet has loads of endorsements from professional bodybuilders including Arnold Schwarzenegger. He certainly has mine. In fact, it irks me when I check out a gym and they don't offer this type of handle.
(around $25 each)
Get at TriPowerHandle.comPlatemates
If you're familiar with the concept of microloading, you know how valuable small amounts of weight are to making big gains. The unofficial father of microloading is the man who coined the phrase for exercise, Ken Benoit, the entrepreneur with a physical education background who has significantly influenced the spread of the concept in the U.S. When he went up five pounds too many on a preacher curl in 1995, he pulled a bicep muscle. The injury forced him to get innovative in order to recover: he duct-taped small weights to dumbbells for curls, and within one year surpassed his pre-injury max.
Thus was born Platemates -- small, attractive, rubber-coated magnetic microweights to adhere to standard equipment. Since 1995, his company has mushroomed - demand has doubled every year for the past five years; Platemates are sold worldwide; portions of the military and several professional football and Olympic hockey teams swear by Platemates and the microloading technique.
"The simple, common sense seems to gain people's attention," says Benoit. Equipment companies are quickly catching on. LifeFitness, Hoist, Vectra, Cybex and Nautilus all offer selectorized equipment with microloading provisions, generally at 2.5 pound increments. Powerblock offers microloading options and ties in with Platemates.
(around $30 - $35 pair)
Get from Platemate.comor here:
Muscle Clamps
Verl Miller says he was discouraged by what he saw in his physical education classes: the iron weight collars were too heavy, the spring weight collars were difficult to squeeze, the screw weight collars would strip while other weight collars simply fell apart. As a result, few of his students were using weight collars. This led to his invention of Muscle Clamps, which he rightfully advertises as the most intelligent weight collar available.
His criteria include safety, speed (clamp engagement and release are lightning quick), lightweight (be sure to bring them home when you're done or they'll disappear), affordability (Well, they're not cheap, but the quality is great - I used mine for years until I dropped the bar on something and broke them, but even then, they still worked, just not as well.), durability, sizing for both Olympic and home bars, and protection of the bar from scratches. I'll add a ninth he achieved - protection of fingers. There much less pinching with these, none if you pay attention.
If you're still using spring and iron collars, get a pair of these right away. You'll treasure them. The only trouble we had with these at the Bally's I managed was that they'd disappear.
I'm delighted that they're now available in red, besides the blue and black.(around $30 - $35 pair, much more by some sellers on Amazon)
Get them at Muscle Clamp, but ordering isn't instant: you'll have to email, call, or download an order form and mail it in.
