Updates on Strength Training: Grip, Kettlebell, Barbell Deadlift

Visiting dad took a month off running. Jetlag after one week in Beijing
needed three weeks in Fremont to fix. I did keep the morning routines
and strength training, going through kettlebell drills regularly.

After achieving the Simple Goal in Jan 2018, I tried to get to Sinister. 
But this proved to be hard. The same moves with the 40kg demanded an
upgrade on all the muscles involved, including the stablizers. I haven't done the Turkish Getup 
for a year by now. But recently, progresses in running and yoga 
brought new hope. I will come back to S&S soon.

The goblet squat with the 40kg bell felt easier as my wrists were
stronger and able to support the weight for much longer. 

I gave the No. 1 Captains of Crush hand gripper to a cousin and since
upgraded to the No. 1.5. I cannot close it with my left hand and even on
a strong day, I can only close it twice with the right. I tried the No.
2. No chance. 

I gave a set of three grippers to L for his 60th birthday. We are going
to run another 50km at the end of the year. He has qualified for Boston
Marathon and will go next year.

I have fallen in love with the barbell deadlift and done it often in the
workplace gym. I read elite sprinters training DL and paid special
attention to the load on my glutes. My DL max is 225 lbs* but my glutes
(or some other leg muscles) can only take around 180 lbs. I have learnt this by hoisting the weight
off the floor using only the lower body and enaging the back at a later
stage. Those hip muscles feel on fire after a 2x3 session. I have since
been thinking about them in every exercise I do and noticing how the
strong glutes make my gait more efficient and powerful. It has been a
revelation that keeps unfolding.

* Steve Freides, one of my heros, at 148 lbs and 50 years of age, pulled
  364 lbs, almost 2.5 times his bodyweight.

[暖冬cool夏]

回复 '7grizzly' 的评论 : Thanks for sharing and explaining. The reason I am asking is that I know elders Chinese uses balls for training hands agility akin to your hand gripper. Nice to know. You are definitely right that the word "till" is followed by an object. I was reading the novel The Living Reed, and saw the word " till", and suddenly realized that I subconsciously may want to use "till". That's the benefit of writing and having a pen pal like you:)

[7grizzly]

回复 '暖冬cool夏' 的评论 : As currently in your post, "she toils in the field" is fine. If you want to switch to "till," I think you have to say "till the land" as "till" needs an object.

[7grizzly]

回复 '暖冬cool夏' 的评论 : Thank you, 暖冬, for reading. It is and isn't about the muscle, as far as I can see.

For the long term, muscle atrophy is the enemy to combat and grippers are handy.
A strength expert recommended if nothing else, train your grip and your core, because they have a higher representation of the nerves.
Last, a study from McMaster U correlates longevity with grip strength.

[暖冬cool夏]

It suddenly dawns on me that it might be the word "till" that I wanted to use in my post, which I confused with "tilt":) Thanks for your pointing it out.

[暖冬cool夏]

I searched online to see what a hand gripper is like:) It turns out to be a bit like a plier:). In addition to muscle building, any other benefits?