Forearm Grip Question...

Foxy_Rei started this discussion · 6/6/2009

Looking for some pointers on forearm grip. What is the distribution of weight exactly between your arms??? Is all the weight on the bottom arm and the top is just there to help hold balance, or is the top arm actually supposed to be supporting some of your weight? I've been practicing my caterpillar climb and I don't know if it's just me needing to work on getting that bottom arm stronger, but I keep almost hugging the pole with my top arm. It completely botches up my form because the pole starts working its way toward my arm pit instead of being more in front of my chest, but I was just wondering what my goal should be... I've had my eye on the straight edge and SE split so that's what I'm really wanting to get strong enough to do. And I know someone is going to mention trying elbow grip 😜 : I did, and still I don't know if it's lack of strength, but I feel like I'm going to fall over (moreso than when I try forearm). With forearm I feel that I have more control over my body and I can keep it from falling back as well as sideways, while I feel elbow is just keeping me from falling backward... the times I've almost fallen trying elbow grip my body twisted off to the side. I also think that elbow grip doesn't look as pretty as forearm, but meh. I like using split grip for my butterfly and extended butterfly (now that I think about it I don't think I've ever seen a extended butterfly with any other grip... 🤔 ) and I feel even more stable using that grip; probably because you're hanging from the top arm to help distribute weight. But I don't see it being used much with caterpillar climbs; haven't tried it, but it looks like it would be awkward. I could probably try a straight edge with it I just haven't gotten the courage to try it... dunno if my core is quite up to holding my body upright yet. 😕 Ok so after all that, point being I'm still looking for forearm grip tips... or really any tips with the types of grip in general would be great. Thanks! 😀

5 replies

Fleur · 6/6/2009
For forearm grip your body will be to the side of the pole and you will be gripping more in the armpit. It is pretty much impossible to do it keeping the pole in the center of your body. Releasing both legs off the pole in a split grip is much harder than forearm or elbow grip, try to master those first. Fleur
nikki_christie · 6/6/2009
I think forearm grip is the same thing as gun grip?? Sort of like you are holding a rifle... With doing the catepillar up the pole you do have to hold on tight with your upper arm and use that as well as you bottom one to push your body up. So pushing away from the pole first and then getting a really tight grip high up is essential and then using both arms to push your body up (or more straighten it back out again but shifting your legs up). I can't do elbow grip either, so I am trying to learn aysha with a gun grip, but even though I can caterpillar up, I just can't support my weight completely yet... Anyway when I use gun grip I have my arm wrapped around real tight, and maybe I go a bit to the side instead of having the pole right inbetween the boobies ( 😜 ) but it works out when you straighten out again. But like I said I am having serious issues with the aysha, so it could be that my gun grip position isn't actually perfect, but it does the trick for the caterpillar! Hope that sort of helps, maybe wasn't the clearest reply...
Foxy_Rei · 6/6/2009
Thank you, Nikki and Fleur! That clears things up a lot - I thought the pole was supposed to be centered on your body when you used forearm grip so I guess I was mistaken. Good thing to get cleared up before I start screwing up big time! And the funny thing is, Nikki, I used to do target practice with a rifle and whenever I'm practicing this grip, it never crossed my mind that the grip was similar to holding a gun! 😂 It is kinda sorta similar...
Tyshiva · 7/24/2009
I am also trying hard to do the Aysha, but one question... It is normal that the elbow grip is hurting my armpit as hell? I havent tried the forearm grip yet, but now i feel frustrated with my elbow grip... 🙁 Also when i am doing the catterpilar mount with the elbow grip it is already hurting me a little bit ( but not as much as the aysha). What can i do? 🙁 boo
pole-twista · 7/26/2009
this is my #1 move i am trying to learn. since i havent gotten it myself yet (although came super close last week) the only thing i can tell you with either forearm or elbow grip is that its a push/pull force that keeps you on the pole. the arm that wraps (either elbow grip or forearm , whichever arm is on top and wrapped is pulling you towards the pole while your bottom extended and locked straight arm is pushing you away. its like taking your hands palms together and pressing with equal force. its the fact that one is pushing in 1 direction while the other is pushing in the other that keeps your hands together and staticand stable. if they both pulled or pushed your hands would move. sorry if this doesnt make sense just trying to get you to see that while one arm pushes you away (bottom arm) the other arm (gripping arm) pulls you in and its the opposing pressure that keeps you from fallign off the pole. its also important to keep your muscles all the way through your body engaged (especially your core muscles as the core is where alot of your balance comes from). hope this was atleast a little helpful. also working on your catipliilars will help w strength and balance needed for the more advanced moves 🥂