C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

Build a Massive Grip, Tenacious Strength, and All-Around Muscle Mass with “Fat Grip” Workouts and Programs      One of the best ways to build tremendous strength and plenty of all-around mass is through thick bar or “fat grip” training.  I think it’s probably one of the most under-utilized methods of training.  Have you done a lot of thick bar training?  If not, then my point is made.  If you have then you understand well its power to transform your physique.      I first read about thick-bar training probably in ‘96 or ‘97, when I got a copy of Brooks Kubik’s "Dinosaur Training.”  I like that book for many reasons, but Kubik insisted that thick bar training was one of the best methods that you can use, and not just for building your grip strength but for simply building “all-around” strength.      At that time, however, there was an issue.  Where in the world do you get a thick b...

     When a lot of lifters consider “heavy, light, medium” training, if they even consider it at all, they probably think about Bill Starr and his “5x5” programs.  If you read this blog, then that’s probably especially so.  But maybe not.  After all, I have, on a few occasions, mentioned using the methodology for programs outside of Starr’s routines.  And, here’s the thing, that’s exactly how I want you to think about it.  Starr’s system is great.  I love it.  I write about it.  I will continue to love it and write about it.  But the truth is that it can be applied to all training programs, not just Starr’s.      It really comes down to using it as a way to manage load cycling , which I have written about in several articles and essays of late.  Load cycling is prevalent in almost all strength programs that have come out of Russia and other former “Soviet bloc” nations.  Probably t...