You saw what they did for Doug, but I'm old and scrawny.

[rbibbs]

I'm old, scrawny, and skeptical... even in 'new products' from established vendors. Clubbells... I expected some improvement in power-range and coordination but that's about it.

A brief history of time (with Stephen Hawking's indulgence, I hope): I'm 5'11 140# and been that exact size since 1962. I first picked up a Clubbell in late December 2003. I could do a few reps of most everything (except squats, troublesome knees) with 10s. 15s were too hard to hold on to, even to swing, without the added traction and choke of gripping the urethane (bad form). So I bought 10s in late January and play with them intermittently. Not "hardcore" training... I have to admit, I don't have the hormones for that any more... recovery takes way too long. Just casual use, what I felt like doing, in between days I train BJJ.

Zoom to present. I'm still skeptical (engineer, can't help it). I have to see readily-quantifiable evidence of improvement in performance before I believe it.

A datapoint: 3 months ago (when I got my 10s), I couldn't hold on to 15s, much less retrieve one from behind-the-shoulder position. This also tells us that it would have been utterly impossible to tricep-curl a 10 from that position (using brute-force instead of biomechanical form). I proved this to myself by trying occasionally.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to demonstrate Clubbells to a much larger, younger guy-- 6'5 230. Sure, 10s are too light for him. To determine that for sure, I had him tricep-curl the tool from behind his shoulder, and he could. In the course of demonstrating that... so could I!

Readily-quantifiable evidence. I think I just sold myself at least one 15.

[Scott Sonnon]

Congratulations, Rick. You've worked hard and intelligently to achieve your goals.

[Mike]

For some reason I found that I was much stronger when I was having photos taken of me for the CST mag! I could even hold the bruiser in the order position one handed. Maybe it has something to do with the person watching you!!!

[rbibbs]

Like spike-bending? Not discounting the psychological elements, I can duplicate it alone.

I do credit the tribal belief, that anything one can do one can improve upon. And the tools and protocols that make it possible.

[Jarlo Ilano]

Rick,

You are an inspiration! Maybe, because some of my favorite patients have been old surfer dudes 8) , but I consistently enjoy reading all of your posts, and take a great deal from them. They are genuine, and I readily relate to them, even though we may be of opposite physical attributes.

I have always picked up strength quickly, but my endurance has been piss poor. I have worked diligently in the last year to bring it up. So, I feel we are on similar paths brother.

Keep the faith brah.

Regards

[rbibbs]

Thanks eh, brah!

I should have added a couple more datapoints. While I still weigh exactly the same, my pants have developed a tendency to want to fall off. I don't own a tape measure, and a modest increase in trapezius mass probably wouldn't show anyway, but that 'weight' that was keeping my belt tight had to have gone somewhere, didn't it?

Also that this strength gain (not in reps or pounds, but in couldn't then could), took place despite my catabolic phenotypical characteristics.

[Jrichardson]

The pants thing could, at least in part, be due to postural change via core activation...

[rbibbs]

Could be, Jon. I don't "feel" posturally different, but my obliques are so toned it's almost distracting. :twisted:

I'm a pretty 'fringe' body type, strongly resisting changes in mass regardless of diet or exercise. Came 'from the factory' with good rectus mass and tone, but that's about it for innate musculature. Tending now to sprout lats and traps I'd never seen before. Kinda novel at 58.