GB
11-06-2008, 01:25 PM
This post is to answer several questions about the Ts that arise from time to time concerning the size of the T handles, stilts, and if changing them might be a practical way to affect the degree of difficulty.
I experimented a lot with size, diameter, length of handle, stilt, and materials before choosing what to go with. I made dozens of pairs for others to try and sent them out to friends and associates from Alaska to Massachusetts. Then I sent one of the earlier prototypes to John. I’d like to say here that from the beginning all of the Ts have been constructed of metal and not ABS, PVC, or wood. It was not until “late” in the process that I was able to locate the plastic end caps that give the Ts that finished look.
The question of thicker and thinner handles comes up often, along with length of the stilts. From a practical stand point, offering these different options would be cost prohibitive to the user. Would you be willing to buy the beginner pair, then the intermediate, and finally the advanced pair? Remember that John has stated many times that the Ts are not for everyone. Difficulty and challenging your grip is part of the intent.
I believe, again after a lot of hands on experimenting, that the best way to address the difficulty issue, too difficult or not difficult enough, is to make changes in the way you perform your exercises. If the Ts are too much of a challenge doing standard pushups, start on your knees. Once that challenge is overcome, do standard pushups with your feet spread wide and then progress to pushups with your feet close together.
If standard pushups are no longer a challenge it’s time to move on to elevated pushups, Hindu pushups, hands offset, eyes closed, SLOW pushups, high reps, hands wide, hands and Ts close to your waist. Once that challenge is overcome, start doing pushups in hand grip positions 3 and 5. Positions 3 and 5 are very demanding and each position has a very different effect on wrists, shoulders, arms, chest, and back. Here’s a grip for MMA and BJJ fighters; use the grip you practice fighting with, move your thumb over to the finger side of the handle. You can add props such as a Swiss ball or an ab wheel, the combinations are almost endless. I feel these variations are much more practical, effective, economical and safer than altering or making different versions of the Ts.
Hope this is helpful
GB
I experimented a lot with size, diameter, length of handle, stilt, and materials before choosing what to go with. I made dozens of pairs for others to try and sent them out to friends and associates from Alaska to Massachusetts. Then I sent one of the earlier prototypes to John. I’d like to say here that from the beginning all of the Ts have been constructed of metal and not ABS, PVC, or wood. It was not until “late” in the process that I was able to locate the plastic end caps that give the Ts that finished look.
The question of thicker and thinner handles comes up often, along with length of the stilts. From a practical stand point, offering these different options would be cost prohibitive to the user. Would you be willing to buy the beginner pair, then the intermediate, and finally the advanced pair? Remember that John has stated many times that the Ts are not for everyone. Difficulty and challenging your grip is part of the intent.
I believe, again after a lot of hands on experimenting, that the best way to address the difficulty issue, too difficult or not difficult enough, is to make changes in the way you perform your exercises. If the Ts are too much of a challenge doing standard pushups, start on your knees. Once that challenge is overcome, do standard pushups with your feet spread wide and then progress to pushups with your feet close together.
If standard pushups are no longer a challenge it’s time to move on to elevated pushups, Hindu pushups, hands offset, eyes closed, SLOW pushups, high reps, hands wide, hands and Ts close to your waist. Once that challenge is overcome, start doing pushups in hand grip positions 3 and 5. Positions 3 and 5 are very demanding and each position has a very different effect on wrists, shoulders, arms, chest, and back. Here’s a grip for MMA and BJJ fighters; use the grip you practice fighting with, move your thumb over to the finger side of the handle. You can add props such as a Swiss ball or an ab wheel, the combinations are almost endless. I feel these variations are much more practical, effective, economical and safer than altering or making different versions of the Ts.
Hope this is helpful
GB