MR Prime Time: Face Pulls Really Dangerous

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

Mike,

I feel you should warn people about the dangers of face pulls, as recommended in “Heal that Hunchback”, for example. I added a few to the end of my workout yesterday, left my eyes wander, and smashed the metal part of the rope handles into my nose. Thanks for that. Unanimously voted “Tool of the Day” by the few souls actually working out at that time.

And now for your PR question - I’m going to pick up a PVC pipe as recommended in the above article. Does the length matter? As in, while applying the pressure on the spine, does the surrounding area take some of the pressure too?

Also, out of curiousity, you stated that some Japanese powerlifters were using a 6" diameter - why? Is this because their degree of thoracic flexion was so great that they can absorb smaller diameters? What are the benefits with the larger diameters?

Thanks.

2

Flynnie,

With the PVC, I usually get it cut in about 12" sections; some people with wider backs may need a little bit more.

The Japanese powerlifters used this as a training tool for developing their bench press arch. They had amazing extensibility in the thoracic spine, which basically gave them an arch that you could drive a compact car underneath. The arch allowed them to move the bar over a shorter distance, effectively increasing the weights they could bench.

Stay strong
MR

[quote]flynniec6 wrote:
Mike,

I feel you should warn people about the dangers of face pulls, as recommended in “Heal that Hunchback”, for example. I added a few to the end of my workout yesterday, left my eyes wander, and smashed the metal part of the rope handles into my nose. Thanks for that. Unanimously voted “Tool of the Day” by the few souls actually working out at that time.

And now for your PR question - I’m going to pick up a PVC pipe as recommended in the above article. Does the length matter? As in, while applying the pressure on the spine, does the surrounding area take some of the pressure too?

Also, out of curiousity, you stated that some Japanese powerlifters were using a 6" diameter - why? Is this because their degree of thoracic flexion was so great that they can absorb smaller diameters? What are the benefits with the larger diameters?

Thanks.[/quote]