Try the "farmer carry." You simply pick up a heavy weight in each hand and walk--and not even that far. I filled 2 5-gal buckets w/ desert (sandy) dirt. That gave me about 70 pounds each. Not quite the optimal 50% of my body weight, but close enough. I pick 'em up and carry them for 1 minute. Benefits: grip strength, legs, core. Google it for more specs and options. I'm 76. It's not that I need to live so darned long, but I sure would like to enjoy these years in good health--and I am! Clif, love you, man.
I do the hold the kid in one arm and as much shopping as I can without needing a basket in the other arm all the way to the car carry. Watching the other 2 kids increases my peripheral vision awareness and I can always engage leg work at the same time.
Terrific! My spiritual teacher, John-Roger, now deceased, held that the universe is always operating in our favor. There is always SOMETHING we can DO to move ourselves forward, to improve, to find more fulfillment. To help ourselves and others.
So I grew up on an orchard farm and from a very young age, I could carry 4, 11 quart baskets filled with pears (the heaviest of all the fruits) for long distances using two fingers under each handle. I was 10 when I could do this. I played a lot of sports and was a massage therapist. My forearms were embarrassingly strong and ripped. Same for the trapezius muscles. I am 60 now and purchased a bar. I was absolutely shocked to discover that I couldn't do a pull-up. Not one proper pull-up. So this post has motivated me to train because I know exactly what you are talking about.
We humans are resilient in body, mind and spirit. At 60, you're a youngster to me. LOL. I'm pretty sure you'll make good gains, especially if you are patient with yourself and avoid injury. :-)
This explains a recent occurrence in my life that at first seemed like a stroke of bad luck. We had a storm, and my 600’’ steep gravel driveway was riven with 6”+ gullies. So I started filling it with 5 gallon buckets of cobbles, gravel, then gravel with diamond dust. I shoveled gravel and used my hands for the cobbles. Gravel with diamond dust on top. 3 piles of gravel and 1/2 pile of cobbles. Used a small trailer to move 11 buckets at a time. It was very tiring at first, but after 500-600 + buckets I honestly felt great. My torso was so much stronger. Interesting way to improve health and save 2-3,000 bucks.
So cool that you saved a heap of greenbacks! And ... sometimes using slow, patient, old-school methods of putting your eyes, your reasoned judgement, your sweat, and your heart into a big job can achieve results equal to or SUPERIOR to what the pros woulda done.
I take 2x 10L watering cans and water my entire garden at least every second day. Takes about 30min of walking up and down. Functional .. two birds, one stone.
I've told people for years everyone for the rest of your entire life need to do resistance training! If you want to live a quality life you must do or end up in a nursing home! Its a must!
I used to do a "farmer carry" of 5gal buckets full of water out to the horses - about 74' down 2 sets of stairs, a hill (slid on my ass in the ice, bucket on each side). That and my 20-oz. hammer gave me a good go. Alas, I need to get back there - steep or no, it is a necessary climb!
That’s amazing! I’m a 67 yo woman with a grip strength of about 35 kg. It’s probably from hanging on to my Huskies leashes for over 30 years as they try to get to the squirrels, and anything else that seems fun to chase.
Huskies love pulling hard! That will develop your hand grip. Not a common dog breed here in Australia. Although long ago a mechanic who serviced my car owned them. Beautiful dogs!
I realise now that there maybe a connection between my father's advanced age, now 94, and his hand strength in earlier years. He worked in the flat glass industry for 40 years as well.
This is an extremely important correlation that should be more widely known. I only found out about this recently when a local Chiropractor gave lecture on men's health at the local Men's Shed I attend. I was stunned since I knew my hand strength.readings.
To failure it looks like it feels the fingers are about to fall off, then there is some grunting and swearing, then within 30 seconds your off the ground thinking oh that wasn't so difficult.
I make my 4 year old son is doing chin up since he was 2 years and half old and I can see and feel his forearms and back muscles definition and see how he peform compared to other kids of his age at various physical challenge at his karate class, thanks for posting this study to give me more will of pursuing the daily training
My kid can do 3 and 3/4 chin ups, 3 months of trying and he did one. he can do 10 good pushups or 5 5 finger push ups at 7 and his muscle is coming out. We both hang daily.
oh he enjoys everything we do, I spend almost all day with him and were like friends, I work from home and he is with me when I do and we go trempoline / gym / kids playground everyday.
Everytime he wants a yogourt, or something he likes I ask him to go hold 15 seconds on the bar and to do squats / burpees and it has become a fun challenge for him.
Haven’t got a pole to hang on. Used to have strong hands but after years of treating people with them now have arthritis in thumbs. What does Clif suggest for that. I’m using red light. Has helped exponentially and I’ve got a PEMF mat I’m waiting to use when I get the adapter from the US.
I have success with DMSO. For arthritis I use a roller applicator In the US I get it at my local feed store. I also drink it my supplements. put a 20% solution in my eyes each day. Amazon has it as well. Clean area before application because it is a carrier and for some it gives a garlic odor as well. It is magic!
IDK that when I was taking it, so I held m nose before and *whilst* and after swallowing it, including while (@) I ate something - bit of cracker or something - anything - then follow with water , all the while holding the nose. THEN breathe
Drink with something that takes the edge off, something you like The garlic odor comes with breath and sweat, Some find it offensive, I don't seem react that way or no one tells me. We are so hung-up on what is offensive!
As the medical model collapses, the alternatives arrive. Many have been banned by big Pharma (DMSO in the '60s cause it was so effective) and culturally excluded (Castrol and many herbs).
DMSO is very non toxic and can carry herbs et al (Ivermectin) though the body very quickly .
I drink one teaspoon with a cup of juice too wash down my daily pills. Others who drink it feel better (?). It very safe, but a powerful solvent Great books and videos for more info!
Yes have heard of that and actually have some. Didn’t know about the cleanliness thing until more recently. I’m keeping it in mind for trying again. Thanks.
Same. I’ve been using my infrared/full spectrum lights for my wrists shoulders etc. helps!!! My fiancé did so much chemo he’s neuropathy as well but the lights and movement have helped us TREMendously. That and visualizing health. Thanks for sharing ❤️
I used to teach tai chi, barefoot, on a cement floor. Had "hip arthritis" -- and from all-day computer work, carpal tunnel on one wrist. STOPPED eating ALL grains... arthritis "magically" healed, and carpal tnl. went away -- completely!
And I KNOW it was not "placebo" because (even today -- ~30 years later ) when I eat grains, (and OH! How I miss pasta!); within an hour or so, my hip hurts (not aches, HURTS!) and the carpal comes back. Takes about a week of 'back on the straight-and-narrow' eating for the wrist pain to go away; and about 2 weeks for my hip to go back healthy/normal!
You might try 30 or 90 days without ANY grains (and grains are in WAY more prepped food than we realize!), and see if your thumbs get better.
Hurts less in the long run. Eventually the pain settles down as more of the muscle needed is actually being engaged once the brain allows the movement as being safe.
CoQ10 - Ubiquinol not ubiquinone. Look into other supplements that are anti inflammatory. I take at for heart health along with other supplements. I have noticed my finger joints don't hurt when I squeeze them. Can't say for sure if CoQ10 was the solution.
That is the email of the company I got the mat from and also a grounding mat. It was part of a seminar by the Feel Better Group.
I’ll give that email though it sometimes takes a while to get a reply from them as they get so many emails. You can look up Ultralux online. It’s in the US if that’s where you are from. I’m in Australia.
mailto:info@thelivebettergroup.com Hope this helps. I got one of my portable red lights through them before too and a different one here in Australia.
Together with our partners at The Live Better Group, we’ve created tools to provide you with instant guidance on all things PEMF therapy—so you always feel fully supported.
That’s a bit on an email to me. I also got an eye massager with that. Haven’t used it yet.
I used to take care of the elderly. My 100 year old client had amazing grip strength and core strength. Stupid doctors gave him blood pressure medicine that gave him a stroke. At 95 he was still running his restaurant. We would go outside and he would let me use his weight machine on the porch. He rode his bike up until his 80s. Was a real son of bitch though...
anyone in the comment section here, or Clif, if he sees this. I am a visual person. Reading above, I have no clue what to do or what it looks like. Can anyone please please help me interpret ? thank you muchly.
The best thing you can do is install a real pull-up bar in your house. And use the Soviet "grease the groove" method to train with calisthenics. Every time you walk by, do as many of something as you can.
→ 30 second+ dead hang.
→ 10+ pull-ups.
→ 5 toes to bar.
→ Knees to elbows.
Whatever you can. Start where you are. You'll get stronger quickly.
Not only does hanging improve grip strength, it unlocks the full muscle AND it decompresses the spinal chain. It builds core strength AND upper body strength. You can hang and meditate with conscious respiration. And you will feel so much better overall.
I bought a real pipe and installed it with custom wooden brackets that I made from scratch.
I remember every day as a kid, watching Jack on the B&W TV mostly using furniture to work out, .. geared towards the housewives. Jack was the real deal, watching him haul a dozen boats with his hands tied, from Alcatraz to shore. Total beast.
I remember when I was young, doing wrist curls and reverse wrist curls with a 100lb bar, ... had forearms like steel back then. Sigh. I gotta get off my ASS !!! lol
What doesn't work like what? You don't think deadlifts strengthen your grip? Or is it you're going to tell me about Chinese kung fu and iron hand training which I've been doing for over 40 years?
Barbell is a isolated muscle, it needs to be the whole body which is calisthenics. Body builders get strong but with no flexibility then they break/die young. Yoga stretches and builds flexibility but with no power. Its stretching under load. It's full range of movement so a squat from locked knees down to sitting position. Wall handstands, sitting squat position for hours and getting up from sitting crossed legged without using the hands. It's basically getting back all the brain to muscle connections we lost from sitting in chairs at school. Plank for 5 mins the whole body is involved but at first you just shake.
Try the "farmer carry." You simply pick up a heavy weight in each hand and walk--and not even that far. I filled 2 5-gal buckets w/ desert (sandy) dirt. That gave me about 70 pounds each. Not quite the optimal 50% of my body weight, but close enough. I pick 'em up and carry them for 1 minute. Benefits: grip strength, legs, core. Google it for more specs and options. I'm 76. It's not that I need to live so darned long, but I sure would like to enjoy these years in good health--and I am! Clif, love you, man.
I do the hold the kid in one arm and as much shopping as I can without needing a basket in the other arm all the way to the car carry. Watching the other 2 kids increases my peripheral vision awareness and I can always engage leg work at the same time.
Terrific! My spiritual teacher, John-Roger, now deceased, held that the universe is always operating in our favor. There is always SOMETHING we can DO to move ourselves forward, to improve, to find more fulfillment. To help ourselves and others.
So I grew up on an orchard farm and from a very young age, I could carry 4, 11 quart baskets filled with pears (the heaviest of all the fruits) for long distances using two fingers under each handle. I was 10 when I could do this. I played a lot of sports and was a massage therapist. My forearms were embarrassingly strong and ripped. Same for the trapezius muscles. I am 60 now and purchased a bar. I was absolutely shocked to discover that I couldn't do a pull-up. Not one proper pull-up. So this post has motivated me to train because I know exactly what you are talking about.
We humans are resilient in body, mind and spirit. At 60, you're a youngster to me. LOL. I'm pretty sure you'll make good gains, especially if you are patient with yourself and avoid injury. :-)
This explains a recent occurrence in my life that at first seemed like a stroke of bad luck. We had a storm, and my 600’’ steep gravel driveway was riven with 6”+ gullies. So I started filling it with 5 gallon buckets of cobbles, gravel, then gravel with diamond dust. I shoveled gravel and used my hands for the cobbles. Gravel with diamond dust on top. 3 piles of gravel and 1/2 pile of cobbles. Used a small trailer to move 11 buckets at a time. It was very tiring at first, but after 500-600 + buckets I honestly felt great. My torso was so much stronger. Interesting way to improve health and save 2-3,000 bucks.
So cool that you saved a heap of greenbacks! And ... sometimes using slow, patient, old-school methods of putting your eyes, your reasoned judgement, your sweat, and your heart into a big job can achieve results equal to or SUPERIOR to what the pros woulda done.
I take 2x 10L watering cans and water my entire garden at least every second day. Takes about 30min of walking up and down. Functional .. two birds, one stone.
I've told people for years everyone for the rest of your entire life need to do resistance training! If you want to live a quality life you must do or end up in a nursing home! Its a must!
I used to do a "farmer carry" of 5gal buckets full of water out to the horses - about 74' down 2 sets of stairs, a hill (slid on my ass in the ice, bucket on each side). That and my 20-oz. hammer gave me a good go. Alas, I need to get back there - steep or no, it is a necessary climb!
I am 62 years old and have a hand grip strength of 59kg. The exercise physiologist was staggered by the reading. He couldn't manage that himself!
That’s amazing! I’m a 67 yo woman with a grip strength of about 35 kg. It’s probably from hanging on to my Huskies leashes for over 30 years as they try to get to the squirrels, and anything else that seems fun to chase.
Huskies love pulling hard! That will develop your hand grip. Not a common dog breed here in Australia. Although long ago a mechanic who serviced my car owned them. Beautiful dogs!
I am 70 and I decidedly do not! Guess I have my work cut out for me. . ..
My daughter said I can't have the unicycle back till I can dead lift my body weight . . . (they moved - my grandson was using it) >:\\
All you need to do is start hanging even for 10 sec at a time.
Cool
care to help me out with a link what an exercise look like please?
In my case it was probably years of working in the flat glass industry lifting heavy sheets and mirrors
.
I realise now that there maybe a connection between my father's advanced age, now 94, and his hand strength in earlier years. He worked in the flat glass industry for 40 years as well.
This is an extremely important correlation that should be more widely known. I only found out about this recently when a local Chiropractor gave lecture on men's health at the local Men's Shed I attend. I was stunned since I knew my hand strength.readings.
https://www.amazon.com/WANSPOORTS-50LB-400LB-Heavy-Duty-Strengthener-50LB-150LB/dp/B0F2FMNQZ3/ref=sr_1_33?sr=8-33
To failure it looks like it feels the fingers are about to fall off, then there is some grunting and swearing, then within 30 seconds your off the ground thinking oh that wasn't so difficult.
That's the "grip" Dr. Mercola prescribed !!!!!
See my comment above.
I make my 4 year old son is doing chin up since he was 2 years and half old and I can see and feel his forearms and back muscles definition and see how he peform compared to other kids of his age at various physical challenge at his karate class, thanks for posting this study to give me more will of pursuing the daily training
My kid can do 3 and 3/4 chin ups, 3 months of trying and he did one. he can do 10 good pushups or 5 5 finger push ups at 7 and his muscle is coming out. We both hang daily.
That is my opinion a very good way of showing your kid the example, you have my admiration
I hope he likes it? My mother made me learn tennis, and I've avoided it all my life.
I have posted 2 videos if your curious to see him
and I feel sorry for you being forced to do something without any pleasure, that not the proper way of developping
oh he enjoys everything we do, I spend almost all day with him and were like friends, I work from home and he is with me when I do and we go trempoline / gym / kids playground everyday.
Everytime he wants a yogourt, or something he likes I ask him to go hold 15 seconds on the bar and to do squats / burpees and it has become a fun challenge for him.
Grippy business aside, a hanging/pull-up bar can be a handy thing to have.
A few years ago, my GF slipped a disc.
Doctor said "We're going to have to operate".
I said, "Nope". Went and bought her a pull-up bar. Instructed her to hang on it for a few mins every day.
Within a week, disk slipped back into its rightful place.
And she's never had any problems in the above regard since.
Sometimes gravity is your friend.
That is amazing! The medical establishment must really hate you. Thank you for sharing the info.
They've never heard of me.
Haven't had a GP in decades.
Incidentally, some time afterwards, I recommended this course of action to a neighbour who had slipped a disc.
She took no notice, went with GP recommendation, had an operation and now will never walk again.
Haven’t got a pole to hang on. Used to have strong hands but after years of treating people with them now have arthritis in thumbs. What does Clif suggest for that. I’m using red light. Has helped exponentially and I’ve got a PEMF mat I’m waiting to use when I get the adapter from the US.
I have success with DMSO. For arthritis I use a roller applicator In the US I get it at my local feed store. I also drink it my supplements. put a 20% solution in my eyes each day. Amazon has it as well. Clean area before application because it is a carrier and for some it gives a garlic odor as well. It is magic!
Works. Never drank it, but it works.
1t barley grass powder is supposed to help with the smell when ingested.
IDK that when I was taking it, so I held m nose before and *whilst* and after swallowing it, including while (@) I ate something - bit of cracker or something - anything - then follow with water , all the while holding the nose. THEN breathe
Drink with something that takes the edge off, something you like The garlic odor comes with breath and sweat, Some find it offensive, I don't seem react that way or no one tells me. We are so hung-up on what is offensive!
Probably not, what a gutsy lady!
As the medical model collapses, the alternatives arrive. Many have been banned by big Pharma (DMSO in the '60s cause it was so effective) and culturally excluded (Castrol and many herbs).
DMSO is very non toxic and can carry herbs et al (Ivermectin) though the body very quickly .
DMSO has potentially all sorts of benefits. Check out:
'A Midwestern Doctor from The Forgotten Side of Medicine'
He puts out some pretty detailed stuff on DMSO.
It works on nail fungus. Been using the Regency brand 90% Gel on its own so far and where nothing else worked, this has, and I've tried many things.
There are even people using it for COPD with good results.
Stings on your back. Doesn't seem to anywhere else I've tried though.
I have it but have not used it yet. Need encouragement like your comment here to do so. :)
I drink one teaspoon with a cup of juice too wash down my daily pills. Others who drink it feel better (?). It very safe, but a powerful solvent Great books and videos for more info!
Yes have heard of that and actually have some. Didn’t know about the cleanliness thing until more recently. I’m keeping it in mind for trying again. Thanks.
Big deal. It is a pharmaceutical penetrating agent - uses to use with the horses in 70's for worming. Clean hands, clean site, dry before clothes.
Same. I’ve been using my infrared/full spectrum lights for my wrists shoulders etc. helps!!! My fiancé did so much chemo he’s neuropathy as well but the lights and movement have helped us TREMendously. That and visualizing health. Thanks for sharing ❤️
I used to teach tai chi, barefoot, on a cement floor. Had "hip arthritis" -- and from all-day computer work, carpal tunnel on one wrist. STOPPED eating ALL grains... arthritis "magically" healed, and carpal tnl. went away -- completely!
And I KNOW it was not "placebo" because (even today -- ~30 years later ) when I eat grains, (and OH! How I miss pasta!); within an hour or so, my hip hurts (not aches, HURTS!) and the carpal comes back. Takes about a week of 'back on the straight-and-narrow' eating for the wrist pain to go away; and about 2 weeks for my hip to go back healthy/normal!
You might try 30 or 90 days without ANY grains (and grains are in WAY more prepped food than we realize!), and see if your thumbs get better.
Does that even include gluten free pasta. What do you substitute grains with. Such as flour, oats etc
Door bars are very cheap. Thats good as you dont need the thumbs lol.
Hah but they can really hurt 😊
Hurts less in the long run. Eventually the pain settles down as more of the muscle needed is actually being engaged once the brain allows the movement as being safe.
Might be good to try that. I do thumb exercises and the red light has helped.
Actually I have cranial electrotherapy stimulator but did not know of the mat….hmmm thanks for sharing
CoQ10 - Ubiquinol not ubiquinone. Look into other supplements that are anti inflammatory. I take at for heart health along with other supplements. I have noticed my finger joints don't hurt when I squeeze them. Can't say for sure if CoQ10 was the solution.
Yes know about CoQ10. Use some teas that are anti inflammatory white willow bark and aniseed Myrtle, nettle tea, turkey tail powder and some others.
Please send PEMF link? Would love to look into that.
Also just started using silver blanket
mailto:support@ultraluxhealth.com
That is the email of the company I got the mat from and also a grounding mat. It was part of a seminar by the Feel Better Group.
I’ll give that email though it sometimes takes a while to get a reply from them as they get so many emails. You can look up Ultralux online. It’s in the US if that’s where you are from. I’m in Australia.
mailto:info@thelivebettergroup.com Hope this helps. I got one of my portable red lights through them before too and a different one here in Australia.
Thank you so much. Grateful!
Together with our partners at The Live Better Group, we’ve created tools to provide you with instant guidance on all things PEMF therapy—so you always feel fully supported.
That’s a bit on an email to me. I also got an eye massager with that. Haven’t used it yet.
Good evening humans! ❤️
Just reading and visualising those exercises is enough for me. I'm exhausted...
Anyway, given the state of the planet, I'm not sure living longer is such a great idea. Even if it is with forearms like Popeye the Sailor Man.
(I'd MUCH rather do pullups and hangs than eat spinach!! {shudder})
I used to take care of the elderly. My 100 year old client had amazing grip strength and core strength. Stupid doctors gave him blood pressure medicine that gave him a stroke. At 95 he was still running his restaurant. We would go outside and he would let me use his weight machine on the porch. He rode his bike up until his 80s. Was a real son of bitch though...
Grip strength directly reflects core strength
anyone in the comment section here, or Clif, if he sees this. I am a visual person. Reading above, I have no clue what to do or what it looks like. Can anyone please please help me interpret ? thank you muchly.
Just Google or YouTube search the terms that he uses
What will the satanic pedo lefties have to complain about here
They’ll find something to rant about
Absolutely!
The best thing you can do is install a real pull-up bar in your house. And use the Soviet "grease the groove" method to train with calisthenics. Every time you walk by, do as many of something as you can.
→ 30 second+ dead hang.
→ 10+ pull-ups.
→ 5 toes to bar.
→ Knees to elbows.
Whatever you can. Start where you are. You'll get stronger quickly.
Not only does hanging improve grip strength, it unlocks the full muscle AND it decompresses the spinal chain. It builds core strength AND upper body strength. You can hang and meditate with conscious respiration. And you will feel so much better overall.
I bought a real pipe and installed it with custom wooden brackets that I made from scratch.
https://substack.com/@unsaidunderside/note/c-169297827
Pull-ups are one of the best exercises for the overall body along with pushups and squats.
All of this ties in with one's spiritual practice because a healthy body, heart and mind are all vital components. 🖤🙏😉
The Jack Lalanne 3 part grip workout;
1. Wrist curls.
2. Reverse wrist curls.
3. Wrist rotations.
A dumbbell and the end of bench is required. Pin the wrist to the end of a bench with your free hand for each movement.
Will build a grip to break an oyster.
I remember every day as a kid, watching Jack on the B&W TV mostly using furniture to work out, .. geared towards the housewives. Jack was the real deal, watching him haul a dozen boats with his hands tied, from Alcatraz to shore. Total beast.
I remember when I was young, doing wrist curls and reverse wrist curls with a 100lb bar, ... had forearms like steel back then. Sigh. I gotta get off my ASS !!! lol
Get a old school gripper. They are cheap and they work. There are grip self defense techniques to twist people up in their clothing and collars. :)
https://www.amazon.com/WANSPOORTS-50LB-400LB-Heavy-Duty-Strengthener-50LB-150LB/dp/B0F2FMNQZ3/ref=sr_1_33?sr=8-33
good stuff! You could add barbell deadlifts to that list... I could add tons more from Chinese kung fu iron hand system
It doesn't work like that.
What doesn't work like what? You don't think deadlifts strengthen your grip? Or is it you're going to tell me about Chinese kung fu and iron hand training which I've been doing for over 40 years?
Barbell is a isolated muscle, it needs to be the whole body which is calisthenics. Body builders get strong but with no flexibility then they break/die young. Yoga stretches and builds flexibility but with no power. Its stretching under load. It's full range of movement so a squat from locked knees down to sitting position. Wall handstands, sitting squat position for hours and getting up from sitting crossed legged without using the hands. It's basically getting back all the brain to muscle connections we lost from sitting in chairs at school. Plank for 5 mins the whole body is involved but at first you just shake.
It is different but I've got news for you your whole body is working doing a heavy deadlift
Can you touch your toes? Can you kick at head height? Deadlifts don't translate to actual movement in life, muscles get big but slow and bulky.
yes I can thanks for asking. I teach in Arizona you can come for a free lesson
Wow Cliff I'd whistle at you on the beach (said this 70 year old woman )...Great Job!
Thank you Clif, Love to all.