When it comes to Feats of Strength, people know where to go in order to get the proper technical instruction they need.

They come to me.

They know I most likely either have an ebook or DVD showing them the exact techniques for the feat of strength they want to accomplish, OR I have explained it at The Grip Authority.

Common Questions about Performing Feats of Strength

One of the topics you been asking about lately is “how do I get started with feats of strength?”

You want to know what wraps to get for bending. This is very important because there are many options out there and some are better than others.

You want to know what kind of protection to use on their body, especially when doing things like braced bending or horseshoe bending which requires you to press the object against your body.

You want to know what kind of steel to buy. This one REALLY varies, depending on what kind of feats you want to do – Braced? Unbraced? Log bars? Mid bars? Short bars? When you get into shapes, then it just gets even more confusing.

How to Get Started – The Essential Basics

To continue with this tradition of being the go-to guy for learning feats of strength, I asked my good friend, Mike Rinderle, to put together something that will cover EXACTLY these principal topics:

• What Kind of Wraps to Buy
• Where to Go to Buy Your Wraps
• What Steel to Buy for Bending
• What Kind of Steel to Avoid for Bending (Safety-Wise)
• What Kind of Odd Objects the Pro’s Bend

If you are into Feats of Strength and you want to learn the basics from one of the best all around benders in the world, then you need to check out the video that Rindo put together.

Braced bending Basics

Why This Video is Awesome

The best thing about this video is that it is no fluff. I do a quick Intro, Mike covers everything in about 8 PowerPoint slides, and then I close it to give you an important message, and that’s it.

Once it is queued up, it will take you like 5 minutes to watch it and take notes, then it is just up to you to get the stuff.

Plus it costs you nothing – $0.

All the best in your Feat of Strength training,

Jedd

Similar Posts:

• New DVD Coming – How to Bend Horseshoes
• 5 Important Lessons for New Steel Benders by Chris Smith
• Diesel Feedback – The Grip Authority
• Have a Seat and Watch Some Clips – Stanless Steel Ladies and Gentlemen
• Intro to Nail Bending

This is a guest post by professional strongman Chris “Hairculese” Rider. Chris is a master strongman, and protege of Dennis Rogers, who performs internationally and is regarded as one of the top oldetime strongmen in the world. He is also a personal strength coach and co-star in the feature film “Bending Steel”. Standing at 6′ 04″ and weighing in at just over 300 #’s Chris has performed a wide range of world class strength feats such as bending 6″, 8″, & 10″ adjustable wrenches into “S” shapes, bending 3/8″ x 12″ steel spikes with just his hands while using an overhand grip, and even pulling airplanes & braking chains with his HAIR! Speaking of chain breaking, that brings us to Chris’ guest post.

How to Break a Chain, the Classic Feat of Strength

A lot of the strongman performers throughout history have incorporated the feat of breaking chains into their shows at one time or another. Not only is this a great visual feat but it also captivates the audience and furthers the strengthening and toughening of the performer.

Many styles of this feat have been deployed and adapted over the years. Strongmen like The Mighty Atom and his protege Slim the Hammerman Farman would use a belt and break the chain with expansion of the chest cavity.

Others like Dennis Rogers and Tommy Heslep would fasten the chain to the floor in some manner and break it with a one hand dead lift style motion. Steve “the Crusher” Weiner would attach the chain to the floor and break it with a head harness.

I generally perform the feat similar to this but I don’t use my hand or a head harness – I use my HAIR. Still others like Stanless Steel and Irish strongman John McGrath would simply grab the chain and pull it apart with just their hands. This is the style I am going to discus here.

The Type of Chain to Use for Chain Breaking

First off let’s talk about the chain to use. It is a non-welded link chain referred to as “jack chain” or “single jack chain”. I have seen jack chain made from aluminum, brass, steel, or stainless steel. Steel variations can be raw uncoated steel, galvanized, nickel plated, etc. The coatings generally do not affect the strength of the chain only the appearance and the ability to inhibit rust formation. The strength comes from the make up of the underlying steel. Steel is the most commonly available and more often than not has a coating on it.

Chain Size and Breaking Strength

Now let’s discus sizing. Jack chain is described by what is known as trade sizes. The larger the trade size number the smaller the chain. A good size to start with for breaking with the hands for someone who regularly trains their hands is #12. From there is #10 (a respectable feat), #8 (which can take around 300 pounds of pressure to fully separate), and finally the largest of the jack chains #6 (which fully separates at around 400 pounds of pressure).

Now these poundage numbers are not the same as chain working load limit numbers. In an industrial setting chain failure occurs when the link opens just enough for the interlocking link to pass through. This is a much different thing than fully parting the chain in a direct pull. These numbers will also differ from one manufacturer to another depending on the grade of steel wire used to form the link and the overall link design. If you decide that this is something you would like to pursue, get chains from different manufacturers of the same trade size and find what you like best – everyone will have different preferences.

Safety Precautions in Chain Breaking

Next let’s discus safety precautions. As with any feat of strength there are inherent risks associated. Since the hands are the contact point to the chain, they will need to be protected.

A heavy leather/canvas set of work gloves should satisfy this. There are sharp edges on the ends of every link, without gloves those edges will dig directly into the hands. When the chain parts it could easily cut or tear away the flesh of the hands. Quality heavy industrial style gloves are a must for this reason.

Both gloves and jack chain up to size #10 are widely available at most hardware and home improvement type stores.

How to Break a Chain with Your Hands

Now that the chain and gloves are covered let’s move into the feat itself. Start with a length of chain somewhere around 3 to 4 feet in length. Trial and error will soon let you know what length chain works best for you. Everyone will have a different preference with their hand width and thickness and how many times they are comfortable wrapping the chain around their hands.

With gloves on, grasp one end of the chain in each hand. The end should be near the pinky side of the palm. With the chain held in place with the finger tips, wrap the chain around the back of the hand and up the palm again over-lapping the end so it does not slip under tension. Repeat this as many times as desired.

When finished there should be one to three links visible between the thumbs of the clenched fists.

Now take the non-dominant hand and post it to the outside of the non-dominant leg about mid thigh. Squeeze the chain securely in your grip and pull with the dominant hand and break the chain. This motion is very similar to the one used for bending horseshoes.

Speaking of horseshoes, pulling on chain in this manner with a size you are unable to part or with a welded link chain has an isometric training effect that can help improve your horseshoe pulling power.

I am a firm believer in working directly with what it is you want to get better or stronger at, but this is one of the occasions where one feat has carryover into another. There are dynamics to both of these feats that can compliment each other and there are also elements that are unique to each feat.

Other Safety Precautions for Chain Breaking

Another aspect to be aware of with chain breaking with the hands in the manner described above is the possibility to hyper extend the non-dominant arm. If effort is being exerted in a downward motion with the posting hand and the chain gives way, there is no longer resistance to that force and the extension range is not substantial enough for proper deceleration to occur. Point being, post with the posting hand and limit the downward thrust – focus on pulling with the dominant hand instead. This will somewhat lessen the size of chain you will be breaking but in the long run I feel it will develop greater power and a more conditioned body for this feat while lowering the risk factor for injury.

With this introduction to chain breaking with the hands you will be able to build power to compliment your horseshoe bending, train isometrically for increased strength, join those who have gone before us in the realm of strongmanism, and add an impressive feat to your resume.

There you have it, what you need to get started with chain breaking. That is one of the many feats that are featured in the upcoming film “Bending Steel”. To learn more about that film, it’s story, release date, and cast go to http://www.bendingsteelmovie.com and watch the special teaser videos with clips from the film. There are even clips of the “Coney Island Strongman Spectacular” that Rider coordinated with Coney Islands Adam “The First Real Man” Rinn. The show that received “Time Out New York’s Critics Pick” and was given press by the New York Times & the New Yorker! At http://www.bendingsteelmovie.com there is also a way where YOU can be a part of this movie too!

In strength,
Chris “Hairculese” Rider

• Have a Seat and Watch Some Clips – Stanless Steel Ladies and Gentlemen
• Grip Strength Challenge – 25lb Hub Lift
• Steel Bending Contest Coming to Philadelphia
• Upcoming Feature at Diesel
• Get Ready to Melt Steel

One of my long-time friends in the world of Grip is Dan Cenidoza, a CSCS and RKC from Baltimore Maryland. He and I first met at another good friend’s Grip Contest in 2003, at Rick Walker’s Battle for Grip Supremacy. Ever since, I have continued to be good friends with Dan, attending conferences with him and occasionally competing in Grip or Strongman against him.

Dan recently landed a studio in Baltimore and is starting a business there called Art and Strength, which will showcase some of the biggest passions in his life. He recently sent me a little write-up regarding his studio and the Open House he is holding on October 15, 2011.

When I first heard about this, I asked him, why Art and Strength, and his answer made it clear as day. Check it out below:

Art

There are two kinds of art I do – one is a performing art and the other is a form of sculpture.

As a sculptor, I practice a form of art known as scrolling. Using no heat and no tools, I bend steel bars into tightly coiled designs I call Iron Bonsai. It is an art of strength.

As a performer, I do classic strongman feats of strength such as tearing decks of cards, bending horseshoes and breaking chains with my bare hands. My shows are usually coupled with a motivational speech on health and fitness. My aim is to inspire my audience to live better lives. The message is that everyone can Be-More and the pursuit of health and strength is a worthy one. The alternative is unacceptable. You either make an effort to get stronger or you will get weak and sickly.

Strength

Before I became a professional strongman, I was a trainer. I have worked with everyone from senior citizens to Baltimore Ravens. My clients goals have been as diverse as improving posture and flexibility, to increasing their number of pull ups. I’ve helped stay-at-home moms lose weight and teenage boys gain weight. Regardless of a persons goal or current level of fitness, there is an exercise prescription for everyone and everything.

When it comes to training, my focus is on getting results. I use what works for the task at hand and discard the rest. From bands, to bodyweight, to barbells; they all can have a place in the design of an exercise program. There is however one tool that stands above the rest in achieving maximum results in minimal time. It’s an ancient training method that far preceded barbells and dumbbells and has just recently found mainstream popularity in the last decade. It’s a weight the old-time strongman lifted and something that has lived quietly all over eastern Europe for centuries. The Russians call it “girya” and it’s roots run as deep as a national pastime.

We call it the kettlebell.

Kettlebell training is an exercise modality that combines strength, flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning simultaneously. It provides a fast, fun, full body workout and because of its effectiveness is becoming an increasingly popular way to exercise in both professional sports and recreational fitness. There is no better way to build muscle or burn fat than with kettlebells.

The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, and the leading cause of heart disease is inactivity; so lack of exercise is the true leading cause of death. Unacceptable. Not only does exercise extend your lifespan but it improves the quality of life. When old age robs an individual from their ability to carry out their activities of daily living, it’s often their strength that is the limiting factor. The inability to walk, stand, bend over, carry groceries, get up off of the floor, etc. – a person loses their independence as they lose their physical strength. You are never too old to improve your strength and vitality. You are never too young to be physical. You have only one body and there is no greater knowledge than the knowledge of self. There is no greater ability than the ability to improve your health through proper living.

Dan is opening his studio and inviting everyone to his open house on October 15, 2011.

For more information on the Open House, check out: ArtandStrength.com

Also, the following day, Mike Rinderle and I are putting on a 100% Hands-on Strongman Feats Workshop. To find out more, check out this link: Strongman Feats Instructional Workshop.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Similar Posts:

• Making Hard Feats Look Easy – The Inch Dumbbell
• Quick, Effective Super Bowl Workouts
• Upcoming Strength Training Clinics and Seminars
• Iron Masters – Bruce Eckrote
• Men’s Fitness and Experience Life Magazines

CHECKING IN!

First off, I hope all of you are safe and sound after the hurricane on the East Coast on the United States. I know some friends in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey lost some power and saw damages from the storm, so please take care!

LOVING WWE PROGRAMMING!

Second, I just want to say that if you follow WWE Wrestling, like me, you know its been an exciting few weeks with the return of Kevin Nash and the drama between him, Triple H and CM Punk. What an awesome time!

However, if you are thinking that Stephanie McMahon sent the text message to Kevin Nash to come to Summer Slam and Jack-knife Power-Bomb CM Punk, I am sorry but you are mistaken. I am going to make the call right now, that the culprit who stole Triple H’s phone and requested Nash’s punishing appearance is actually Shane McMahon, making his return to the family business…

I am obviously SPOT ON, but if you have another guess, feel free to post in the comments.

Now, for more important matters – the Classic Strongman Feat Tournament…

Many have been pondering what the final feat in the tournament could be. Watch the video below and you will find out.

Since all of the rules are clearly stated in the video, I am only posting it right now and will add more information below in a few hours.

I do freelance work as a Spanish Interpreter and I have a large project that I have to work on for the company I used to work full time for, so I will be working on that for a bit and will return to the site later on.

However, once you watch the video, if you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks and all the best!

JeddSimilar Posts:

• How To Make A Grip Strength Fanatic Cry
• Bi-Polar Training: Inch Dumbbell Plus Kettlebell Flip
• Diesel Grip Strength Challenge – Week 3 Submissions
• Classic Strongman Feats Tournament – Week 2 Submissions
• Phone Book Tearing Submissions

Double Ringer – 6 Points – YEAH BUDDY!

There’s an old saying that mentions horseshoes that goes something like this: “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”

What that means is that when you have a goal, you need to accomplish that goal, and not just settle for “almost got it.” You see, in normal horseshoes, if you almost hit the stake, then you still get partial points for your throw. Throwing grenades is kind of the same thing. You don’t have to hit your target spot on every time because the shrapnel will do the damage for you.

Well, almost doesn’t count in horseshoes when you’re bending them!

Last week was the fourth week in the Diesel Classic Strongman Tournament, and the feat of strength contested was Horseshoe Bending!

The great thing about last week’s tournament was that both master horseshoe benders and beginner horseshoe benders competed.

In case you are wondering, there is a near endless variety of horseshoes out there to try and bend. In our DVD, Hammering Horseshoes, Mike and I cover about a dozen types of shoes that are readily available and easily obtainable.

Mike and I are also working to extend this list in order to give more options for beginners as well as more steps in between established shoes. Look for this listing to come out sometime soon.

Now, let’s get back to the tournament.

Here are the standings after last week’s tournament:

• 1st – Cameron Bailey – 4.5 Points
• 2nd – David Horne / Mike Rinderle / Darrin Shallman – 3 Points
• 3rd – Richard MacLean / Jason Steeves – 2 Points
• 4th – Daniel Reinard – 1.5 Points
• 5th – David Wigren – 1 Point

Here is how the tournament panned out this week. Remember, a win is worth 1 point. A tie is .5 points, and a loss is worth zero. A lot of how the tournament works out each week depends on the luck of the draw and how many people submit entries into the tournament.

So, after this weeks bracket, we now have a new leader and the running score is looking very different. Here are the standings:

• Darrin Shallman – 5 Points
• Cameron Bailey – 4.5 Points
• David Wigren – 4 Points
• David Horne / Mike Rinderle – 3 Points
• Richard MacLean / Jason Steeves – 2 Points
• Daniel Reinard – 1.5
• EJ Livesey – 1 Point
• Christopher Smith – .5 Points

So, now we head into the final week of the Classic Strongman Feats Tournament.

The rules for the final showdown of the tournament will be posted tomorrow.

Believe me, you do not want to miss the final turn of this spectacle. There will be MANY points up for grabs.

Now, let’s check out the awesome shoe bends from the entrants this week:

David Wigren – Kerckheart SSP 8X18 #000

Mike Rinderle – St Croix Forge Plain Regular #3

EJ Livesey – St Croix Forge Lite Rim #1

Darren Shallman – Diamond Classic #1

Daniel Reinard – St Croix Forge Polo #1

Andy Thomas – St. Croix Forge Ultra Lite #2

Christopher Smith – St. Croix Forge Ultra Lite #2

Great week guys. Look for the next challenge very soon.

Jedd

Similar Posts:

• Phone Book Tearing Submissions
• Classic Strongman Feats Tournament – Week 2 Submissions
• Results of the Classic Strongman Feat Tournament
• Hammering Horseshoes DVD is Live!
• Block Set Gripper Wild Card Submissions