Yesterday before my 500 Rep Dopa Workout Circuit, I wanted to get in some Push-Ups with the Stronger Grip PUGS (Push-Up Grip Spikes) since it has been a minute doing them. Just getting a set of 10 can be a challenge because of the way you have to grip them and they can be slick at times. The idea is to not try to get a high level of reps going, the true format is to utilize Time Under Tension to produce stimuli which helps building muscle and strength. There are some who have done these for high reps and are freakishly strong, the Hammer King himself Ryan Pitts being one of them.
I got in a total of about 35-37 where I filmed my last few reps of them for the day. They were done with a more closed in position so it was much more difficult to control but I managed those last few reps with the best form possible. The impact they have on the forearms and hands is indescribable. This is strength training at it's peak element taking a basic movement and adding serious grip work to it. If you believe it's easy without having done them, they will humble you quick.
Everything is contracted, the mind must be crisp and your balance is tested with a vengeance. One little slip and you're on the floor. Putting in enough tension to even move smoothly takes practice and giving the mind/muscle connection a run for its money. If you can get passed 15 reps, you got some solid strength. My best is 25 in a row and have done as many as 100 in a workout through various sets. When you can do these consistently, your tendons and ligaments will feel like they were carved out of granite and feel like solid steel in the fucking bones. Your core strength will skyrocket, your chest will feel like hardened stone and your upper arms will have insane power.
They are worth every penny and you're not just supporting a website, you're supporting a man that makes these things by himself. He's made hammers, swords, machetes, clubs, maces, weapon of the Grim Reaper, Hooks for extra difficulty in pull-ups, pulldowns, deadlifts and more. Pound for pound one of the strongest guys around. Bent steel, tore phonebooks, levered hammers, swung human beings with his custom made swing and has hands like a vise. Ryan is one of those once in a generation type of guys that makes the world a bit more bad ass with his equipment. Has made stuff for NFL Teams, Arm Wrestling organizations, Strongman Comps and many other things. Never underestimate the power of one's Grip. He can be goofy doing his thing but when you're past 50 and doing things that are pretty gnarly to do, think he's earned the right to be having fun and killing it.
Be amazingly awesome and keep killing it.
