Regular readers of this site know that it's no secret how much I love the Convict Conditioning series of books - so I really couldn't wait to get my hands on the two new (there will eventually be a total of SIX!) DVD and Manual sets ASAP!!! My full reviews are on the Dragon Door site, so scroll down on that product page and see what I had to say about them (Spoiler alert: THEY RULE!)
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Like to think that a video which starts out with fashion head nods to both Bruce Lee and Cliff Harski* bodes well. Let's see if you feel the same way?
Here's a little of the fun that happened on the way out and back from a coffee run. This is also similar to what happens when I got to pick up a custom made chocolate order... who said walking errands had to be boring? Taking cues from both Convict Conditioning and Al Kavadlo's Raising the Bar, means the world is now my gym (safety is the utmost of course - regardless of what crazy i-beam plyo pull ups you may have seen on the internet lately - that video literally makes my hands sweat uncontrollibly btw. I can't watch it without having that response. GAH!!!!)
Later that night (it was feeling like a "100 kettlebell swings at midnight" kind of day—don't ask) Aleks Salkin talked me into doing his new 20 minute weighted pull up challenge. So of course I had to do it. It was also a great way to get some small chores done during the "rest" periods. Basically 1 weighted pull on on the minute, every minute for 20 minutes. He called it "Power to the Pull Up" which is a name that of course really appeals to someone like me. I used a 12kg - it had been a long day and I am not accustomed to hanging a kb from my foot. In the interest of not angering my downstairs neighbor, I placed a blanket under the bar and let the kettlebell down softly there. She hasn't said a word about any odd thumps resulting from get ups, light swings (the heavy stuff happens outside), tai chi, etc. so I'm either quiet or she's stoic.
*Cliff Harski, fellow RKC Instructor is making quite the name for himself in the fashion of fitness world (the legendary v-neck shirt discussions + his hard earned chest development are frequently mentioned on Facebook). His innovative training and NEW fitness project are making waves - you should go train with him at BA Training in San Diego, CA
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Finger Tip Strength
Serious question here that I have been meaning to ask you for a while. The video was a reminder for me.
I was down at a local rock climbing facility and struck up a conversation with a guy about finger tip strength. Rock climbing always fascinated me because of how strong your fingers have to be to avoid potential (might I add very high) falls.
How do you even go about developing that kind of strength? Obviously a crap load of practice but how does finger tip strength engage the rest of your body? Super curious. Do tell!
Good question! :)
It takes time - the good news is if you're swinging kettlebells you've already been working on your grip in a very serious way. Try a few kettlebell farmers walks with a hook grip too - that's a lot of fun! Or if you're feeling brave, try some fingertip hangs from a bar. Be patient with it all though - we're talking teeny tiny muscles here! The first time I did a fingertip pull up was nearly by accident. I was still fairly new to kettlebells (within the first year or so) and had really shredded up my hands - but still wanted to do some pull ups - I "dropped down a knuckle" in order not to squeeze my hurting hands against the bar, and surprise!
As for rock climbing - you better be wearing safety gear, there shouldn't be any high falls going on! The facility might have some little blocks you can hang from as well - as in not so far off the ground. They also make some special practice boards for such things too.
The good news is that everything is pretty much the same body-wise for fingertip pull ups as with strict tactical style pull ups, abs, glutes are strongly engaged, etc.
Also, I should add, our friend Ryan Pitts of StrongerGrip.com makes some fun fabulous grip tools that allow you to control the amount of weight to start with - the grip block, balls, etc. are fun things to add in for variety.