Last November I made my first visit to Kor Complex in St. Charles and it was there I learned two things:
- I have runners hands
- My forearms are quite possibly the weakest part of my body
Both of those are absolutely ok when you’re running but as I’ve started to branch out a little, I’ve noticed how much the second can really be a weakness.
On Saturday, I shared my modified training plan that will hopefully get me through two half marathons in April as well as the possible appearance on ANW, also in April. Part of what I need to focus on between now and then is getting a stronger grip and forearms. Sounds so odd to say that but try it. When was the last time you just tried to hang from the monkey bars? How long can you hang there? Can you swing from bar to bar? You might find it to be more difficult than you think.
I’m betting you crossfitters are pretty good at it which is why I’m taking a page out of the Crossfit book to spice up with this forearm workout.
Not sure what all these moves look like? Have no fear..the kids and I walk you through them in 3:00 minutes.
The other thing to consider with all this upper body talk is grip. When you do a pull up, what grip do you use?
- Overhand (palms facing away)
- Underhand (palms facing towards you)
- Hammer (palms facing each other)
- Alternate (one overhand and one underhand)
Changing the grip can DRASTICALLY change the effect of the move.
Ok, that’s a lot in one post. Pin it, try it…whatever. I would love for your workouts still. Comment with your favorite Tabata or HIIT workout so I can add it to my arsenal!
Happy Monday!
What are your favorite ways to change-up a workout? Have you ever played around with your grip?
I never would have thought to workout my forearms!
I haven’t thought about forearms specifically before. Looks good though.
I had a trainer who had me do exercises for my grip strength and I looked at him like he was from mars. It’s something that never occurred to me.
I modify my grip based on the exercise I am doing but I use the overhand and underhand grip the most. Thanks for sharing!
I definitely need to work on forearm strength. Thanks for the moves!
Lots of runners neglect their arms and yet those are the part of our body that people prob see the most right? Good tips
I’m supposed to workout my forearms? I never knew!
This looks like a fabulous workout! I have been working on my arm lately so this is great!
Definitely something I am overlooking! Thanks so much for posting these moves!
I started playing around with grip when I started working on a pullup goal a few years ago. Now I change it up with any exercise that I can. Scheduled to tweet this 🙂
How timely! I was just saying not too long ago that my forearms and grip strength is seriously lacking. I had never really considered it an issue but, like you, I’ve been doing things other than running and now I’m very aware of the weakness.
Great tips! I need to definitely work on my forearm strength. I really feel it when I’m doing pull-ups or doing heavier deadlifts. It sucks when you’re trying to deadlift but can’t because your forearms are burning!
Great post!! As a runner I have the weakest arms, plus I am battling a shoulder injury. I am hoping once this shoulder thing is fixed I can strengthen my upper body!