Is thumbless grip on OHP still a "suicide" grip?

hill8570
hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
edited November 27 in Fitness and Exercise
I was reading an article the other day on press technique, and the author made a statement of the form "everyone I know who has switched to thumbless grip on the press has seen a major increase in their max". Figured I'd give it a try today, and was really surprised -- I lifted my 5R max like it was nothing -- I was impressed on how much better I could get the bar centered over my forearms. Thing is, I've always considered the thumbless a "suicide" grip. Is this the case for using it for the press, or does this mainly apply to the bench?

Replies

  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    Its the only grip I use except when using a rope to climb or rope push down.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I'm guessing you read that from Paul Carter? Having said that, I'm not sure what you're asking. Thumbless grip, suicide grip, false grip, etc are all the same thing. Just different names. Use it if you like it and are able to do so safely, don't if you aren't. I've been using suicide grip for years, it is definitely way better for certain things (like OHP).
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    DopeItUp wrote: »
    I'm guessing you read that from Paul Carter? Having said that, I'm not sure what you're asking. Thumbless grip, suicide grip, false grip, etc are all the same thing. Just different names. Use it if you like it and are able to do so safely, don't if you aren't. I've been using suicide grip for years, it is definitely way better for certain things (like OHP).

    Probably was in one of Paul's articles. Basically asking if the risk of thumbless is all that high for OHP. I mean, on bench, if the bar slips forward off the grip, it's gonna land on me, no doubt. I don't like those odds. On OHP, for it to slip off the grip it feels like arms would have to be forward of my body, so I'm going to be dropping the bar in front of me (and probably jumping backwards like a scared animal). Embarrassing as hell, and would probably piss off the gym management, but no harm to precious me. Risk seems pretty low. I was just asking if I was missing something.
  • pinggolfer96
    pinggolfer96 Posts: 2,248 Member
    Love the thumbless grip! You can really put the weight emphasis on the lower Palm, really getting that force straight into the elbow, instead of pushing back on the wrist!(:
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Darn. I switched to it and my OHP still sucks.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Darn. I switched to it and my OHP still sucks.

    Ha, I was just wondering if this would magically make my OHP not suck...
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Darn. I switched to it and my OHP still sucks.

    I'm still gonna try it. Maybe I'll be the special snowflake it works for!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    I use a thumbless grip with just about every bar press I do. Chalk is a great friend here too.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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