Thick Bars and Fat Gripz: Which Exercises?

[cooltom]

I just read through most of Dinosaur Training and I'm thinking about using my Fat Gripz a little more often than I currently do.

I'm curious which exercises everyone here chooses to use Fat Gripz and Fat Bars for. I have a pair of Fat Gripz and have used them for triceps pressdowns, skull crushers, dips, DB Jerks, BB/DB curls, and occasionally Overhead Presses.

Conversely, do any of you have exercises for which you would not use fat bars/gripz?

[Trevor Lane]

I have some, and I've used them for pretty much anything that is not overhead (I even tried deads with them... EPIC FAIL). I am a little leary of using them when weight could come smashing down on my noggin.

[kman025]

Originally Posted by Trevor Lane

I have some, and I've used them for pretty much anything that is not overhead (I even tried deads with them... EPIC FAIL). I am a little leary of using them when weight could come smashing down on my noggin.

i would agree.... if you dont have a way to ditch the weight (such as using bumper plates) i would be nervous to go heavy with a fat bar/fat grips

[cooltom]

Originally Posted by Trevor Lane

I have some, and I've used them for pretty much anything that is not overhead (I even tried deads with them... EPIC FAIL). I am a little leary of using them when weight could come smashing down on my noggin.

Interesting response. I feel comfortable using them for overhead presses, but then again, I don't do full on BB jerks. I don't do those at all because I can't ditch the weight even with a regular bar. But, with strict military presses, I feel they are relatively safe. Do you use them for bench presses?

I also never use them for rows or deadlifts. I feel like I would have to cut back on the weight so much that the exercise would be pointless. The first day I had them I tried to do BB rows and dropped the weight after my first rep.

[Trevor Lane]

Originally Posted by cooltom

Interesting response. I feel comfortable using them for overhead presses, but then again, I don't do full on BB jerks. I don't do those at all because I can't ditch the weight even with a regular bar. But, with strict military presses, I feel they are relatively safe. Do you use them for bench presses?

I also never use them for rows or deadlifts. I feel like I would have to cut back on the weight so much that the exercise would be pointless. The first day I had them I tried to do BB rows and dropped the weight after my first rep.

No I have never tried them for BP, same concern.. I just have a vision of myself waking up with a broken nose (or worse, neck) or something. I too had to drop 5-10 lbs on any exercise I did with them.
The deadlift attempt was basically for S&Gs, although it might be useful for a strongman (I know IFSA used to include an axle deadlift). I decided that they're really only useful for arm work, since my main focus is bodybuilding and they are a must for direct forearm training.

[cooltom]

I have to admit, although I didn't sweat doing the overhead presses with the FGz, I've been apprehensive about using them on Bench Presses. I think part of it is that I just don't want to cut the weight back. However, I'm thinking about using them on Incline Presses. I think as long as the slit is facing up, they should be safe.

[jwood]

I use them for everything including bench press and over head press as long as you are really squeezing them I do not think you will have a problem. I have been using them for a while with no problems, even clean and press.