Hammer grip type handle

dragman · Post by **dragman** » January 22nd, 2010, 1:32 am

I'm curious if anyone has seen, or experimented with a hammer style grip handle (palms facing each other as opposed to down). I understand this might not be beneficial to rowing competition, but I'd think it would prove useful in targeting an alternate muscle group.

Thanks

sheehc · Post by **sheehc** » January 22nd, 2010, 2:54 am

Interesting notion. Guess it would get the rhomboids into the motion more and perhaps drop the rear delts contribution some. Perhaps increase use of the biceps and brachioradialis too. I'm not an anatomical expert or anything, but I wonder if the narrow handles you usually see in gym cable rows wouldn't lead to problems because your chest would be so compressed while shoulders stretched at the catch. That position works for a few sets of heavy weight, but I question how it would be over hundreds of reps. Never seen it, but I am curious to try it now.

chgoss · Post by **chgoss** » January 22nd, 2010, 10:15 am

couple of years ago I was having a lot of trouble with elbow pain, so I made a pair. I basically just put bar ends on the existing handle, similar to the way it's done with mountain bicycles.
It worked fine, but I strengthened my forearms enough so that I didnt have to continue to use it, now I'm back to the stock handle..

HTH

Byron Drachman · Post by **Byron Drachman** » January 22nd, 2010, 3:03 pm

Hi Eric,

I have handles that can be adjusted to any angle. The wooden grips where the fingers go rotate so I practice feathering.

Having the hands more vertical definitely helped me. I used to get sore elbows. Now I don't.

The wooden dowel resting on the seat can be put between the seat and the platform attached to the undercarriage and then the seat becomes unstable. It really works the core. When I made it I didn't know that CorePerform was available.

Byron

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » January 22nd, 2010, 5:23 pm

I enjoyed using both of these variations.

Byron Drachman · Post by **Byron Drachman** » January 22nd, 2010, 5:43 pm

I really like the handles that John made. For anyone with sore elbow they are worth a try and it wouldn't be hard to make them.

dragman · Post by **dragman** » January 23rd, 2010, 12:34 am

I appreciate the input. I ended up creating "sleeves" out of 1.5 inch PVC pipe with 45, and 90 degree junctions on the ends.. It was a pretty simple solution. I wanted to post a URL with some pics but they don't allow new forum users to post URL's. Maybe someone can email me and post the URL for me. My email is ek@hp.com.

At any rate, they both feel really good. I can understand how a wider grip can reduce elbow pain. I can tell this wider grip hits the lats a lot more.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » January 23rd, 2010, 5:32 am

dragman wrote: I wanted to post a URL with some pics but they don't allow new forum users to post URL's.

Try again.

Or post the URL without the leading http://

dragman · Post by **dragman** » January 23rd, 2010, 9:50 pm

Here's the site I posted some pics of my makeshift solution...

http://picasaweb.google.com/eric.kriese ... 1658066530

I like the 45 degree handle better.. the wider grip enables you to feel it more in the lats. It's a nice alternative.

Let me know if anyone has problems seeing these.

sheehc · Post by **sheehc** » January 24th, 2010, 12:16 am

I just want to say that you guys are my heroes for modifying your ergs like that. That is just freaking awesome!!!

dragman · Post by **dragman** » January 25th, 2010, 2:08 am

So after doing my first 30min row with the PVC pipe grips.. It's become increasingly obvious I'm going to need to wrap, and or, reform the handles so there's more to grasp.. although it does greatly tax the forearm as sweat plays a factor (even with the C-breeze).

I might try growing the back side of the handle with a half pipe.

Never had a problem with the PVC sleeves during the entire 30min row. They never budged.

I'll still row with the standard C2 handle though. It's a whole different movement. It seems a little easer, although that could a "pre-conditioned" notion ;0) I've only had the erg 2 weeks.. but this is GREAT..

What a tool !!