Anyone Using Chains or Bands?

[Buffalo]

I started adding bands to my bench (smith machine), incline hammer press and squats. Man it's a good difference. I'm going to get some chains made too.

Any guys doing either?

 

[csuperman]

i use bands on some of the hammer strength presses i like the stress at peak contraction you get with them

 

[1MoreRep]

When I used to train with some power lifting guys we did some pretty cool stuff with bands. The first 2 weeks you do only 135 with bands, we would do say 6 sets of 12 as fast as you could rep them out. Then the next 2 weeks do board presses with 6 sets or so with some fairly heavy weight you could pause on the board and press 8 to 10 reps. Then the last 2 weeks we would use chains, 35lb chains on each side with maybe 185lb and do 6-8 sets with 10-12 reps. When you went to max that week after some of the guys were adding 40lbs to there max. Chains, bands, and board presses work wonders if you do it right.

 

[1MoreRep]

Heres my set. They weigh 35lbs eachView attachment 13550

 

[The Survivor]

Really stupid question but can you use regular chains you buy at any hardware store? I know the answer is yes but how would you rig them up?

 

[1MoreRep]

Survivor I doubt they have any that weigh enough. I do use the chain from the hardware store to hang on the bar tho. What you do is lift you bar off when you're benching and get someone to hang the chain and see where the chain is barely touching the floor and thats where you want to hang them length wise. So when you are fully extended you have all the weight off the floor. It def helps on your explosion on your bench from the chest up.

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For example we do sometimes 5 sets of 225lb's with the chains, so you feel 225lb at your chest but up top you are feeling 295lbs.

 

[The Survivor]

So its a load and deload issue right? So if I were to find some thick ass chains I could run a bolt thru them around the end of bar and determine length from there?

 

[1MoreRep]

Yeah I thru the chains on real quick and got one of my guys to take a pic of how it works. Simple and effective.View attachment 13551View attachment 13552View attachment 13553

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Once you have your weighted chain just use the hardware chain and a quick realise climbing snap and that way you can adjust the lenght up and down say if you have a partner with longer or shorter arms.
Chains are also awesome for pullups or dips, just throw them over your neck do as many as you can then drop them and hit it again.

 

[charliebigspuds]

When I used to train with some power lifting guys we did some pretty cool stuff with bands. The first 2 weeks you do only 135 with bands, we would do say 6 sets of 12 as fast as you could rep them out. Then the next 2 weeks do board presses with 6 sets or so with some fairly heavy weight you could pause on the board and press 8 to 10 reps. Then the last 2 weeks we would use chains, 35lb chains on each side with maybe 185lb and do 6-8 sets with 10-12 reps. When you went to max that week after some of the guys were adding 40lbs to there max. Chains, bands, and board presses work wonders if you do it right.

i would love to get a bunch of guys together and do this stuff..NO one anywhere i know use or have chains/bands..
i would change gyms if they did..(for sure)

 

[Buffalo]

Here is what I plan on using:

5/8" chain.

5 feet for benching

6 feet for squats.

lead chain is 3/8" and is 5 feet long.

two carabiners per side.

6 feet of 5/8" chain ~= 20lbs depending on the type of chain.

Here is some other cool info Deadlifting With Chains | LIVESTRONG.COM

Im sure Wes has some good ideas too. I know you can buy them from Elite Fitness but the shipping is stupid.

 

[IronPlease]

I have always wanted to try training with chains. Never had the opportunity to find a gym with them available. We have 100pd plates on base, but no chains. Pity.

 

[big in vegas]

If he comes around, Mike from PN was supposed to get some chains made a while back so maybe he could lead you in the right direction. I want to get some made as well, but I've got a powerlifting gym an hour from me that I may jist go buy from as I'm sure they can get them made cheap for me

 

[Lightsout]

I made some chains and gave them to the gym I go to. When I go to the gym today I will take a picture of them.

 

[Buffalo]

I made some chains and gave them to the gym I go to. When I go to the gym today I will take a picture of them.

How did they come out?

 

[Lightsout]

How did they come out?