There’s a good reason rock climbers use chalk: improved grip.
- Chalk improves grip
Of course, chalk isn’t just good for climbers. Lifting heavy requires substantial grip tenacity. Especially in the summer, with humidity high.
I’ve been working my my grip strength for many months now, usually once a week doing plate pinches, towel hangs, etc. at the end of a workout.
But I had never tried chalk.
(That is, aside from 20 yrs ago and a friend sneaked some chalk into the university gym. That was back when I thought a good routine had “arms days” and no, using chalk to better grip the handles on the leg extension machine is not what I am talking about today!)
Most commercial/franchised gyms don’t allow chalk, and even though I workout in my home gym, I never thought it was necessary. For deadlifts, the hardest grip lift that I regularly do, I simply moved the mixed grip (one hand pronated, the other supinated).
But I recently bought a chalk ball – it’s like a sock stuffed with chalk and that really reduces the mess.
Holy cow – what a major improvement.
Seriously, I am now deadlifting with a standard grip (both hands supinated) weights that I previously could only do with a mixed grip. Just by using chalk. (Of course, a max deadlift requires more than a strong grip, so it’s not like I added 100 pounds to the dead overnight.)
And for power-movements (e.g. cleans, high pulls, etc.) the chalk is like a miracle.
Then there are lifts where you grip the bar where there is no knurling – like a sumo-stance rack pull. These are nearly impossible without chalk. I did add about 50 pounds overnight to that lift just by using chalk.
I can say without hesitation, now that I’ve gotten more experience, that chalk is far superior to using wrist straps (see my cautious recommendations on straps here).
How To Add Chalk To Your Lifting
Here are 5 Guidelines for adding chalk: (more…)
Continue reading about Gotta Love The Chalk – 5 Tips For Using Chalk When Weightlifting
It’s been a while since I’ve thrown open the floor and done a good Q&A session. Some of you long time subscribers might remember that we sometimes did these via podcast/mp3 but let’s keep this simple. In the comments section below, ask me ANY fitness related question. Completely open. I will then do two things:
a) I will answer every single one personally (or, if it is an area I don’t know about, I will get the answer from one of my expert colleagues)
b) For the 3 best questions (my opinion), I will give those people a FREE copy of one of my ebooks or lifting routines
So, ask away! I’m guessing I’ll post the answers in about a week or so, depending on volume. I want at least 25 questions ok? (more…)
Join the forum discussion on this article, or comment below.
Ok, I admit, when Mike Geary sent me this article I thought it was a bit gimmicky. But when you read the recipe, you realize this isn’t just hype.
Check it out here:
Enjoy!
p.s. post comments as to how you like it/dislike it
