Using chains...

[Snowblind]

Hey guys.....what do you think of using chains shackled to a barbell on some of the movements?

The reason I ask is because I'm always looking for more resistance (well, not really...LOL), and I thought this might be another option in the arsenal.

Again, I'm not really considering doing this.....was just curious as to what you guys thought. I like the idea of added resistance at the top of a movement.

[In-Human]

Hey Snow, I really never thought about it much but I do chain DBs to all the stacks, but that is it...

[joshb]

its ideal for powerlifters/ strongman training. we have quite a few guys at my gym that use chains and bands. i really dont see the benefit for a bodybuilder though. i guess it would be a good change if you mixed it in here and there.

[Massive G]

Adding chains to the barbells to ADD more resistance...Ingenious....You see I just usually add more weight to the bar

[Chasedog]

Adding chains to the barbells to ADD more resistance...Ingenious....You see I just usually add more weight to the bar

FH I've missed your sarcasm!

I don't see the need unless you're like IH or FH and there isn't room on the bar.

[Snowblind]

Adding chains to the barbells to ADD more resistance...Ingenious....You see I just usually add more weight to the bar

It actually is different than just adding weight to the bar......as the weight moves up, more chain comes off the floor, thereby increasing the weight as it rises.

Thanks for your response.

[In-Human]

It actually is different than just adding weight to the bar......as the weight moves up, more chain comes off the floor, thereby increasing the weight as it rises.

Thanks for your response.

You know its funny, we have a couple of those guys in the gym who use the chains on the bench and straps on the Squat bar, but they never look like much, but they always tell everyone in the gym how to lift...

[Massive G]

There's this skinny trainer at my gym (actually the gym I used to work at but that another story right there) and he'd have some of his guys bench press with the chains...Every time he'd drag them out I'd think he was the ghost of Christmas past or something.....Didn't see too much in the way of massive strength or size gains from the chaingang but who knows huh? I'm heading over to a Westside BB message board right now to ask them what they think about rest pause sets...BRB guys

[heavy hitter]

You know its funny, we have a couple of those guys in the gym who use the chains on the bench and straps on the Squat bar, but they never look like much, but they always tell everyone in the gym how to lift...

theres always one

[AnabolicPez]

FH I've missed your sarcasm!

I don't see the need unless you're like IH or FH and there isn't room on the bar.

It will help you-trust me.

[Massive G]

It will help you-trust me.

Uhhh....NO!

[sammysdad]

I've used the chains in the past when I was powerlifting and I've used them on a some of guys I train that had problems with the lockout in bench (both got there bench over 500 raw-no shirt from a starting point of just over 400) and trouble with the top position in deadlift. As far as bodybuilding goes I've screwed around with them on a few other exercises and I've found they are awesome on squats, narrow grip bench presses and skull crushers. You really have to work to lock out the ext on all 3 exercises with the chains on the bar. However, it's such a pain in the ass to drag them around and spend half of the session answering peoples questions it hardly seems worth it.

[sammysdad]

PS-I hope I'm not the little skinny guy FH was referring to-lol

[asim]

I like to stick to the iron. When im pressing and pulling everything that the gym has, then maybe i'd get creative and add some weights to the stacks with chains.

I think the increase in resistance can be a good and bad thing. Strength wise ok, ur lifting more as you keep pushing. But isnt it a danger to be increasing the stress on the muscle while going through the movement. Makes me think of how lee priest tore his pec. Someone leaned on the bar by mistake. Increased resistance.



That may sound like a teenage answer. But im a teenager so spare me

[sammysdad]

asim,
It's a controlled progressive increase throuout the range ending with the weight being heaviest where you are strongest. It's like having the advantage of a cam while still using freeweights. I don't thik the chance of injury increases at all.