Suicide Grip?

[sok454]

When you guys are pressing do any of you use the suicide grip? I was talking with a guy at the gym and he said that's how he benches and feels like he gets better force up thru his arms and to the bar with it. Of course he did say you have to practice with it and get used to it and obviously there are dangers with it. I just wondered how many of you do it.

[hardNheavy2011]

I've used that grip going on 20 years now. I've tried both ways, and I feel I do get more power from that grip. Some people like it, some hate it. All I know is that it's legal in the federation I compete in, so I will continue to use it.

[sok454]

I've used that grip going on 20 years now. I've tried both ways, and I feel I do get more power from that grip. Some people like it, some hate it. All I know is that it's legal in the federation I compete in, so I will continue to use it.

Do you ever feel like you don't have a good grip on the bar? I assume now its so second nature you don't even notice it. Guess I was more concerned about when you first started using it.

Thanks!

[-=FLEX=-]

I've used a thumbless grip on just about everything for as long as I can remember and never had any issues.

[hardNheavy2011]

Do you ever feel like you don't have a good grip on the bar? I assume now its so second nature you don't even notice it. Guess I was more concerned about when you first started using it.

Thanks!

No, I've never felt that way at all. I started using it because I have some sort of nerve issue in the palm of my hand that doesn't allow me to grip the bar normally without a great deal of pain. I started using the suicide grip back in high school shortly after I began lifting.

[sok454]

Interesting guys. Ill try it out next time I'm in the gym. Going to start really light just to get used to it.

[bodyhard]

I've been using a thumb less grip for over 20 years, I don't see how a little thumb is going to hold a heavy weight if your wrist gives in. It is not about the thumb, it is the wrist.

[2nd_chance]

I've been using a thumb less grip for over 20 years, I don't see how a little thumb is going to hold a heavy weight if your wrist gives in. It is not about the thumb, it is the wrist.

He's probably concerned about the roll.

I use thumbless as well. Feels secure to me.

[sok454]

He's probably concerned about the roll.

I use thumbless as well. Feels secure to me.

Ding ding ding. One bar at gym seems to be very loose and rolls quite a bit. I think I'm going to start moving towards the thicker bar we have there. Seems to feel more secure etc.

[hardNheavy2011]

This I know from experience. A bent bar and a thumb-less grip is a definite concern. It will roll! That's why I have a squat bar and a bench press bar and I don't mix the two. lol

[NorwichGrad]

True story. 3 months ago a guy at the gym was warming up with 225-lbs using thumbless grip. Bar slipped and thankfully it landed on his nipple line as opposed to his neck. It was an awful sight. Guy couldn’t breath or speak. He was taken to the ER.
He was fine, but could not train for a month.

The only lift I do thumbless is back squats. Everything else is either regular or hook.

[GnomusMaximus]

I started using it about a year ago when I started doing alot of axle presses. It was out of necessity, my hands are just too small to fit around 2" or bigger bars. I liked it and started to try it on other presses. So far I have really liked it.

[2nd_chance]

there's a lot of reckless information in this thread..

I for one wouldn't want it weighing on my conscience if this guy has a mishap and gets his Larynx crushed..

you guys who are advocating this dangerous practice of "suicide gripping" really need to put some kind of disclaimer on your posts...

He asked who used it and we answered.

I should add that I bench in a power rack. No one is asking the OP to do something unsafe. Besides, he's a big boy. He's not 13.

And... it was good enough for Arnold/

[2nd_chance]

True story. 3 months ago a guy at the gym was warming up with 225-lbs using thumbless grip. Bar slipped and thankfully it landed on his nipple line as opposed to his neck. It was an awful sight. Guy couldn’t breath or speak. He was taken to the ER.
He was fine, but could not train for a month.

The only lift I do thumbless is back squats. Everything else is either regular or hook.

I realize that no one has ever had a benching accident unless they were going thumbless.

[induced_drag]

I used to use both..... Then I saw some the horror vids on youtube of guys benching suicide. Many of the guys look well seasoned and were definitively not rookies.

After seeing that, I decided to bench with my thumb around the bar.

I still bench thumbless on cgbp as it is a lot easier on my wrists....I dont ever feel I am not stable with the weight....but I also know if I dropped it, it would probably hurt. Good thing I now bench in a power rack and can set the safeties so they are just below my chest. It would probably still hurt, but would not crush me.

[jvfranklin]

Those of you who go thumbless: have you found that you can actually lift more thumbless than the other way?

[Phattso]

I have used thumbless grip for shoulder presses, CGBP and skull crushers and even BB curls for years. Used to use it for whenever I bench, but not any more.

The reason I use the suicide grip on the above exercises is just because of the more comfortable feel.

[bodyhard]

there's a lot of reckless information in this thread..

I for one wouldn't want it weighing on my conscience if this guy has a mishap and gets his Larynx crushed..

you guys who are advocating this dangerous practice of "suicide gripping" really need to put some kind of disclaimer on your posts...

LMFAO on putting a disclaimer on an internet forum.

OS what the f'ck have you been smoking man, can I get some of it?

[jvfranklin]

The standard Hodge Twins disclaimer is always implied.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW4t4FfI0Q8

[flairon]

Those of you who go thumbless: have you found that you can actually lift more thumbless than the other way?

Yes. Using a 'thumbed' grip seems to put more pressure on the forearm

[Bushmaster]

When you guys are pressing do any of you use the suicide grip? I was talking with a guy at the gym and he said that's how he benches and feels like he gets better force up thru his arms and to the bar with it. Of course he did say you have to practice with it and get used to it and obviously there are dangers with it. I just wondered how many of you do it.

I use it, and for the exact same reasons.. the bar sits directly over my wrists comfortably and it allows me to drive it straight up. When I use the standard grip with thumbs around it, the bar has a tendency to wobble back and forth and I don't like it.

My hands are big enough to wrap around the bar anyway so I don't feel as if I'm losing any security by not hooking the thumbs.

there's a lot of reckless information in this thread..

I for one wouldn't want it weighing on my conscience if this guy has a mishap and gets his Larynx crushed..

you guys who are advocating this dangerous practice of "suicide gripping" really need to put some kind of disclaimer on your posts...

Disclaimer??

Look, nobody is selling anything here and nobody is saying "Do it my way because yours is wrong!" I will continue doing things the way that works for me, and if somebody in Bangor Maine, or Bangkok Thailand gets hurt doing it, its not my problem.

[mslman71]

I lifted with the suicide grip for many years without incident. It is also possible to play russian roulette all but an infinite number of times and not get shot. The failure mechanism and outcome with the suicide grip should be patently obvious to anyone capable of breathing. That being said, I tried a full grip quite a few times and couldn't get used to it.

edit: I had a latcher-on a few years ago who dropped 225 square on his chest several times while using a suicide grip; all of them on decline I believe. It was a wonder he didn't get severely injured.

[Smelly bull]

I use the thumbed grip on everything. The "thumbed grip" makes me feel in control of the weight, especially when I go heavy.

[bigtallox]

I just wondered how many of you do it.

So you're only asking for one side of the issue? I'll give my answer/opinion anyway...

I wrap my thumbs around the bar. For me, I've noticed there exists a grip-brain connection, my brain will let me move the weight better if gripping it. All of the powerlifters I'ved trained with agree, although one of my strongman buddies benches with a thumbless grip.

[induced_drag]

Those of you who go thumbless: have you found that you can actually lift more thumbless than the other way?

Thumbless seems to put less pressure on my wrists. When doing CGBP, thumbless feels better froma wrist angle perspective.

As I said....normal benching I do with my thumb around the bar, but thumbless probably feels better. Working out alone is not worth the risk for me of dropping it.

Here is a nasty compilation vid...I had a hard time watching it.

[Bushmaster]

there's a reason why humans (and occasionally a talented chimp) are the only mammals that bench press...

it's because of our thumbs..

I thought it was to build upper body strength... No?

[2nd_chance]

there's a reason why humans (and occasionally a talented chimp) are the only mammals that bench press...

it's because of our thumbs..

it would be a shame to let mother natures gift to us go to waste...

please,I implore all of you reading this thread...........FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP THIS NONSENSE AND USE YOUR DAMNED THUMBS !!!

[amuse702]

[Bushmaster]

there's a reason why humans (and occasionally a talented chimp) are the only mammals that bench press...

it's because of our thumbs..

it would be a shame to let mother natures gift to us go to waste...

please,I implore all of you reading this thread...........FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP THIS NONSENSE AND USE YOUR DAMNED THUMBS !!!

Fonzie approves this message...

[bodyhard]

there's a reason why humans (and occasionally a talented chimp) are the only mammals that bench press...

it's because of our thumbs..

it would be a shame to let mother natures gift to us go to waste...

please,I implore all of you reading this thread...........FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP THIS NONSENSE AND USE YOUR DAMNED THUMBS !!!

LMFAO!! Too f'cking funny!