Mouthguard increase strength?

[jawadams]

So I've heard of this Pure Power Mouthguard that supposedly helps you increase your power?

It seems a little silly, but a lot of reports are out there about it. Incidentally the creator lives in my home town.

Anyway they cost up to $2000 but I was wondering if anyone knows if just using a mouthguard that you heat and then bite has helped anyone?

Obviously the evidence will be mostly anecdotal, but I figure anecdotal evidence is enough for me to go buy a cheap mouthguard.

[chazzy1864]

I've heard of gritting your teeth can do something. Can't remember the details of it. A mouth guard might be good just so you aren't grinding your teeth down.

[jaries12]

I think that the mouth guard may be purely a placebo affect. Why not take some sugar pills while you're at it? I hear you lift way more!

[jawadams]

I think that the mouth guard may be purely a placebo affect. Why not take some sugar pills while you're at it? I hear you lift way more!

LOL yeah I considered that as well.

This whole thing started when my friend told me to put my arms up at my sides (like the top position of a lateral) and then he pushed my arms down while I tried to resist, he pushed them down pretty easy. Then he told me to bite down on a pen and tried again and he couldn't push them down.

He told me that the same guy who invented this Pure Power mouthguard (who is a friend of his family) showed him this.

Anyway... I guess I'll probably just buy one and see.

[Icicle]

LOL yeah I considered that as well.

This whole thing started when my friend told me to put my arms up at my sides (like the top position of a lateral) and then he pushed my arms down while I tried to resist, he pushed them down pretty easy. Then he told me to bite down on a pen and tried again and he couldn't push them down.

He told me that the same guy who invented this Pure Power mouthguard (who is a friend of his family) showed him this.

Anyway... I guess I'll probably just buy one and see.

strong sales tactic

[Indestructable]

Doing certain things like squeezing a bar or tensing muscles pre lift will offer a similar effect. I'm no expert but this is just a way of priming your nervous system for the lift. It also gives you a bit of a mental edge and can sharpen your focus.

But, on the other hand, $2k for a mouthguard sounds like a bunch of horse sh*t.

[Autonomous Ben]

so why not just use a pen instead of a $2k mouth guard?

[jawadams]

strong sales tactic

I'm not sure if you're accusing me of trying to sell one of these or my friend...

If you think its me then maybe you should read my first post. I'm not gonna spend $2000 on a mouthguard, I'm gonna go buy a cheap ass one from walmart and see if it does anything at all.

If you think my friend is, well this is a friend of like 8 years, so I don't think so. He didn't even mention the pure power mouthguard, he just mentioned "some mouth thing" in passing which I later figured out what it was on my own.

Either way you lose.

But, on the other hand, $2k for a mouthguard sounds like a bunch of horse sh*t.

Like I said I wont be buying it. I think its marketed towards professional athletes more so where $2000 is chump change and that small difference could be a big thing. I think it said Shaq uses one even. A few big sports names use one.

[Dibatista]

Hes dead on, they act exactly like a placebo, i actually used to lift with one in high school after chipping a tooth while lifting, i gotta say it does do a little something at first, but it goes away after a workout or to.

[Mr.Runner]

Maybe it's a pyschosomatic (sp?) thing. Perceiving that something is helping you equaling better performance.

Like when you see guys dealifting whilst screaming until their eyes explode.

[RoderickTG]

So does anyone wear a mouthguard lifting because they grit their teeth?

I'm really thinking about taking one with as a precaution against wrecking my teeth the way I sometimes have them really gritting.

I figure I could cut away most of it, as my teeth are usually hit more at the front then anywhere and I'm not worrying about protecting my teeth from some blindside hit.

[yankeemarko1]

What a coincidence. The AZ Republic just did a story on overpaid Eric Byrnes today and how he is using one of these to "improve performance".

Here is a link to the article.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diam...outhguard.html

Just to let you know, he is hitting .152 with a robust .256 OBP entering play today. Looks like maybe he got ripped off. Or was it the D-Backs?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...?playerId=4498

[southpaw17_2002]

I read a bit on their website, and it basically says that if you align your jaw, you body performs better. I am big on chiropractic and their theory is in having your body properly aligned for maximum performance. I think there may be some validity to the claim, but I sure as hell am not paying 2 large to find out. Another thing to consider on these lines is shoe insoles. The OTC kinds can actually knock your pelvis out of whack and decrease your performance, same thing may go for your jaw. He demonstrated it with the arm thing mentioned earlier. So maybe there is something to their claims. It just seems like they are really overpriced. Even custom made in soles only cost $200 and you can use one set in every pair of shoes you own.

[olderndirt]

<snip>...but I was wondering if anyone knows if just using a mouthguard that you heat and then bite has helped anyone?

Obviously the evidence will be mostly anecdotal, but I figure anecdotal evidence is enough for me to go buy a cheap mouthguard.

(fyi: Greetings lifters! I'm a new member to this forum, though I've followed off and on for a while.)

Recently, I've been searching for feedback on this very subject.

The reason: about a month ago during a workout, I discovered that I was able to generate *balanced* force on every rep as long as I aligned (and clenched) my jaw just so. As I continued to workout, and focused on alignment first and driving the weight second, it was a great workout!

(Edit: fixed broken quote tag)

This week, I picked up a 2 dollar mouthguard from Olympia Sports. I boiled it, and bit it into place. (Yeah, I know, you're supposed to use your thumbs, don't bite, etc.) It took two tries, but I got it right, and went to work out.

It worked great, I had no breathing issues, and I finally felt aligned. It wasn't an experience of being able to suddenly lift more, it created the opportunity to properly drive the weights at crunch time. For me, that's a huge.

I'm a six-footer, long-limbed. I also have a slight differential in my rib structure: the left side of my ribcage is normal, the right caves in slightly. The result for me is that I don't have an even distribution of strength when it matters most.

By bringing my jaw forward, this mouthguard has made my bones align differently during a lift. I can feel the result deep in my muscle tissue on my right chest. It's like I've been able to activate those muscles finally!

And when I say finally, I mean finally. I'm 52, and struggled against this since my 20's.

So, yeah, the mouthguard works for me. Things may change in the future, but for now, I won't lift without it.

[jawadams]

(fyi: Greetings lifters! I'm a new member to this forum, though I've followed off and on for a while.)

Recently, I've been searching for feedback on this very subject.

The reason: about a month ago during a workout, I discovered that I was able to generate *balanced* force on every rep as long as I aligned (and clenched) my jaw just so. As I continued to workout, and focused on alignment first and driving the weight second, it was a great workout!

(Edit: fixed broken quote tag)

This week, I picked up a 2 dollar mouthguard from Olympia Sports. I boiled it, and bit it into place. (Yeah, I know, you're supposed to use your thumbs, don't bite, etc.) It took two tries, but I got it right, and went to work out.

It worked great, I had no breathing issues, and I finally felt aligned. It wasn't an experience of being able to suddenly lift more, it created the opportunity to properly drive the weights at crunch time. For me, that's a huge.

I'm a six-footer, long-limbed. I also have a slight differential in my rib structure: the left side of my ribcage is normal, the right caves in slightly. The result for me is that I don't have an even distribution of strength when it matters most.

By bringing my jaw forward, this mouthguard has made my bones align differently during a lift. I can feel the result deep in my muscle tissue on my right chest. It's like I've been able to activate those muscles finally!

And when I say finally, I mean finally. I'm 52, and struggled against this since my 20's.

So, yeah, the mouthguard works for me. Things may change in the future, but for now, I won't lift without it.

Wow this was a while back.... I had pretty much decided there was no point, but now you've got me considering it again. Any tips on how to properly align your jaw?

[MDPower75]

Maybe it's a pyschosomatic (sp?) thing. Perceiving that something is helping you equaling better performance.

Like when you see guys dealifting whilst screaming until their eyes explode.

No. Exploding your eyeball is the only true way to max out a deadlift!

I use a mouthguard when I do heavy work. I don't know if it's really helping but it's keeping my teeth from chipping. And I do think that being able to bear down with your teeth helps you to lift. But, I've lifted heavy without it and been fine. But, I feel better when I use it.

[Benihanas]

I use a mouthguard on my heavy days, but idk if it really helps the lift. I'm just worried about my teeth/jaw lol

[olderndirt]

Wow this was a while back.... I had pretty much decided there was no point, but now you've got me considering it again. Any tips on how to properly align your jaw?

Well, I'm no dentist or doctor, or even play one on TV...but I'll give it a shot.

Assuming your bone structure is reasonably symmetrical, it's just of matter of moving the jaw forward.

Try this: Move your jaw forward until your upper and lower front teeth line up. Keeping them lined up and together, move your head around. (not fast!) Turn left, right, up, down. Tip left, tip right.

Don't clench down. The idea is to see how the front (collarbone) and back (neck) feel. Now do those moves again, with your bite in a normal position. Chances are, the "teeth forward" position should make your collarbone and neck area feel more "open" as you move your head.

So, boil that mouthguard, pop it in, and bite down with the teeth forward. Do a chest-back and/or a bi-tri workout. (I'm a fan of Charles Staley's EDT)

During the workout, with every rep (up AND down), keep the focus on keeping your jaw closed, and radiate your strength from that point out. My "micro-focus" is the back teeth of the jaw.

So when I rep, my sequence is: Set jaw, inhale, lift, check jaw set, exhale, lower.

Good luck! If it means you can grind out an extra rep or two *effectively*, then it is worth it.

[brethutch]

So I've heard of this Pure Power Mouthguard that supposedly helps you increase your power?

It seems a little silly, but a lot of reports are out there about it. Incidentally the creator lives in my home town.

Anyway they cost up to $2000 but I was wondering if anyone knows if just using a mouthguard that you heat and then bite has helped anyone?

Obviously the evidence will be mostly anecdotal, but I figure anecdotal evidence is enough for me to go buy a cheap mouthguard.

There is a less cost solution for you. Go to powerplusmouthguard.com and place your order. You can also see a testimonial of a power lifter. This is a lower arch mouthguard that is very comfortable to wear. Cost is only $40 +S&H!! With this mouthguard you will see increased Strength, coordination, and stamina. You heat it up but don't bite to fit it. You use your jaw muscles to custom fit it through a swallowing process. Let me know when you get one, and how it works for you. and questions email me at bret.hutchison@comcast.net. Having your jaw in the correct position for YOU is the key to letting your body work efficiently.

[ironwill2008]

You use your jaw muscles to custom fit it through a swallowing process.

If I have to swallow it, I'm not even gonna ask about the "recovery process" to get it back so I can reuse it!

[HighFivan]

I've heard of gritting your teeth can do something. Can't remember the details of it. A mouth guard might be good just so you aren't grinding your teeth down.

this. i cant imagine any strength gains from a mouthguard aside from being able to mentally block out the possibility of grinding your teeth/biting off your tongue (a bit far?)