The World's Best Hand & Grip Strength Training Instruction
Here is a great question with some outstanding lessons to learn:
John,
I happen to have very small wrists. I currently weigh about 170 pounds but my wrists
are very thin and small. Do you feel that a person with naturally larger wrists
and
forearms will progress further than someone with naturally small wrists and
forearms, even if they train exactly the same? Is there a program that works
better for someone in my situation with small wrists? Thanks for the
information.
Sincerely,
Mike K.
Mike,
I don't know if you are familiar with George Jowett but he was an old-time
strongman who wrote a bunch of great books and training courses back in the 20's
and 30's. He was well known for his incredibly strong hands and his writings are
filled with a boatload of great training information.
Before I answer your questions, I want you to read this passage from one of
Jowett's books:
"...I want you to get the idea out of your head that you have to own a large wrist
before you can own a better and larger forearm. It is the forearm that makes the
wrist, rather than the wrist making the forearm. I have listened to the wails of
scores of young men who lament that they will never have a decent forearm because
their wrist is far too small; and that is the accepted idea. But it is wrong.
You have to get the forearm first and in order to get the forearm you have to get
the grip..."
Hmmm, now where have I heard that before? It just goes to show how important a
balanced approach really is.
Remember, when it comes to functionality, it is not what your muscles look like;
it is what they can do that counts. I know a guy with huuuuuge arms who is as
weak as a kitten. I know another guy who is thin and wiry and not much to look
at, but frighteningly strong.
Here is one of the most important concepts I can teach you: The only meaningful
measurement occurs when comparing the "you" of some point in the past to the
"you" of right now.
You simply cannot go around comparing yourself to other people and quite frankly,
it should be a case of 'mind over matter.' If you don't mind, it don't matter.
As far as a program that works better for someone with small wrists, I'll let you
in on a secret: …it doesn't make a lick of difference!
With a willingness to work hard, mental toughness, the right tools for the job,
and a program that addresses the requirements for muscle growth (and an
understanding of why it works), you will improve, and that is all that matters.
Whether a rep here or a pound there, phenomenal strength levels are just a matter
of time, as long as you are moving forward every single time you train.
Even with gigantic wrists and mega-forearms, the "other guy" will still be
wasting time and energy not knowing what to do, while you will be getting stronger
every single day …and be laughing at him the whole time. But if you think it is
going to be easy, quit fooling yourself. Nothing worth having ever is...
'Rome wasn't built in a day...but it can be built.'
