TacticalBarbell.com

Hi guys, for those that recall, I used to have a problem with my chin-ups (i.e. my grip was failing spectacularly well before my back did). I've been training my pull-ups and neutral grip chins, I've also spent time working high rep rows and loaded carries. In these 2 months, I've gotten my pull-ups from 5 sets of 3 to 6 sets of 7.

Now the weird part, my back is failing on pull-ups and neutral chin-ups, but my grips aren't even as close to straining as I would feel in a chin-up set. However; when I try my chin-ups, I noticed that the supination of the palms pulls and strains my lats near my armpit, which force me to grip harder to maintain my grip on the bar in the chin-ups. However; I do not experience this straining when I do pull-ups or neutral grip chin-ups.

I tested it without hanging, and when I supinate my palms, I can feel a deep straining stretch in that area just behind my armpits. Is that normal?

I don't know about deep straining, but just getting in that position does cause more feeling of tension there than with the other grips. It also seems more pronounced when the lats get bigger. Never been a problem or anything, but again, don't know as what I've experienced would be called deep straining.

TBPenguin wrote:don't know as what I've experienced would be called deep straining.

That's the best way I can describe it. The strain is sort of underneath the muscle - like my muscles are struggling to deal with the supination of the palms. There's no pain - but I feel like I need to grip much harder to keep my hands clenched.

BMB, It might be similar to what I have experienced when my scapula got screwed up on top of poor balance with lats power over lower traps..

Here is great article by Eric Cressey:

http://ericcressey.com/strength-trainin ... -essential

I have learned a lot from this article at some point of my life.

WPU for me now ... is complex compound movement that requires precise technique. I watch closely my lower back, lats, elbows, grip, neck and shoulders when I am doing the move. And I know I can easily screw myself up by being stupid.

Good luck!

Blackmetalbunny wrote:

TBPenguin wrote:don't know as what I've experienced would be called deep straining.

That's the best way I can describe it. The strain is sort of underneath the muscle - like my muscles are struggling to deal with the supination of the palms. There's no pain - but I feel like I need to grip much harder to keep my hands clenched.

I just put up the doorway bar and experimented to see if I could get this. If my grip was too close I got something, but I don't know if it matches what you feel. I hope you figure it out.

TBPenguin wrote:I just put up the doorway bar and experimented to see if I could get this. If my grip was too close I got something, but I don't know if it matches what you feel. I hope you figure it out.

Thanks for the help man, that's not what I get, I only get it when my grip gets to shoulder-width.

Barkadion wrote:BMB, It might be similar to what I have experienced when my scapula got screwed up on top of poor balance with lats power over lower traps..

I'll have a look at the article in detail, but from my first glance, it's not quite addressing what my issue is I don't know if it's an elbow position or lat issue... I'll have a try, but what Eric is writing there appears to be a little farther away from what I am experiencing.