Dr. Ken's Log Bar

Dr. Ken's Log Bar

Here's what Dr. Ken's Log Bar looks like in a rack after a recent workout. As you can see, you'll need the 7-foot version if you plan on using a rack for lockouts, holds or partials. The Log Bar is [particularly useful for building up your pressing strength. The most useful feature of Dr. Ken's Log Bar is the neutral-grip handles - which take stress off the rotator cuffs and will allow you to perform many different exercises in greater comfort. This type of bar usually fits a lot of people to a "T".

You can substitute the Log Bar altogether for a normal barbell or alternate the two types of bars, adding variety to your program.

New Log Bar Training Guide Cover

New Log Bar Training Guide Cover

Here's a look at the cover that we may end up using for the re-done new edition of Dr. Kens's Log Bar Training Guide. We are still looking at a few different options so we may or may not use this version (although I think this one looks great.) Regardless, it is going to be first class all the way and contain a lot of intense training info, workouts etc etc.

If you want one, well, it's free with a Log Bar purchase so you know what you have to do. And speaking of that, the clock is ticking if you want your own Log Bar to arrive in time for Christmas. I can guarantee it will be there ONLY if you order sometime this week and that means before 5 pm this Friday.

If you want to take action immediately, here's the new T2 Log Bar and the Original Black Finish. For more information on Log Bars and what they can do for your training please check out our Log Bar Resource Page.

My New Dumbbell

My New Dumbbell
I mentioned last week that I was heading down to Toledo to pick up a custom dumbbell... Here it is: a plate-loaded Inch Dumbbell Trainer.

I've always enjoyed lifting thick-handled dumbbells.

Let me tell you about this one" you see, some folks has tried to make thick-handled dumbbells in the past and use a technique called "sleeving" where gradually larger pieces of pipe are welded over top of each other.

In most cases, that works just fine, but the issue with the Inch Dumbbell is that that the "real" Inch Dumbbell has a handle 2-3/8 inches in diameter while pipe only comes in 2 inches or 2-1/2 inches diameter. They also tend to make the handle area too narrow which ends up banging against the wrist, which isn't a good feeling at all.

In any case, this dumbbell is made of one solid piece of stainless steel. We took a 2-1/2 inch diameter length and lathed the handle down to the required 2-3/8 inches exactly. The plate-loading area was further lathed down to 1.95 inches to all plates will fit, and each section is 8" long, leaving plenty of room for my hand, as well as the plates.

Needless to say, this one's a work of art.

I don't plan on making these available as an ongoing product but if the demand is great enough, we will just have to see. I sense a lot of good workouts with this one...

Captains of Crush Hand Grippers:

The Captains of Crush Hand Grippers
Here at Functional Hand Strength, we want to offer our customers the very best in grip strength training equipment which is why we feature the Captains of Crush hand grippers by Ironmind.

These are the best grippers on the market and we are very proud to make them available to you.

Today, we want to let you know about the variety of resistances available in these grippers.

We offer ten different levels of resistance:

Starting with our Guide gripper, which gives you 60 lbs. of resistance. Keep in mind that your average, run-of the mill, sporting goods store hand gripper is going to give you only about 25-35 lbs of resistance. Plus, they are usually built with cheap plastic and will surely breakdown over only a short time.

So the Guide will give you a good workout right off the bat.

Combine the Guide with our Sport (rated at 80 lbs.) and the Trainer (rated at 100 lbs.) and you have a good starting point to work with. If you're a beginner to grip training, we highly recommend going with this set of three grippers.

These three hand gripper provide an excellent progression for those just starting out.

From there, our grippers are numbered from the #1 gripper and up to the #4 gripper in increments that will help you progress. The #1 gripper is rated at 140 lbs; the #1.5 is rated at 167.5 lbs. and so on all the way to the #4 gripper, rated at a whopping 365 lbs. of resistance.

Not many venture into the higher echelons of the Captains of Crush grippers, but if you have closed the beginner grippers, you should move on to our intermediate combo pack.

This includes our #1, #1.5 and #2 grippers. On top of that, we also have an advanced combo pack, which included the #2.5, #3, and the #3.5. Past that is a place only a handful of people in the world have reached: the #4 gripper.

This is the ultimate grip strength achievement.

So whether you are just starting out, or have been training for years, you will find the right resistances with our Captains of Crush line of hand grippers.

Want to learn more? Click here to read our Captains of Crush Buyers Guide.

Return of the Legend - The Gerard Trap Bar is Back!

We are proud to announce that we have brought back back one of the all-time greatest pieces of training equipment.

One that has been gone for nearly a decade, just waiting to make its return. We are talking a simple but revolutionary piece of training equipment that has helped build some of the strongest legs and backs around.

Now it will help you too. Find out here:

Gerard Trap Bar

...and thus History is made.

Train hard,
John Wood

P.S. If you previously joined our mailing list you received this special link yesterday so you know whats at the end of it. Regardless, this one's a classic and deserves another look: Gerard Trap Bar