Thumbs Around Bar Or Not

[jamesters]

Does it matter where you put your thumbs on the bar? I like to have my thumb around the bar because it feels to give a stronger grip, but I've heard some say having thumbs over the bar is better for giants and the sort? Does it matter? Is it skill specific or maybe personal preference?

[Gregor]

Natural grip! So that means around the bar (for that is why you have a thumb).

Question: what feels better to hold a hammer?

[Razz]

Except for some high level skills I believe you grip only with fingertips to gain more speed

[jamesters]

Different advice, now I'm confused. :oops:

[Razz]

sorry. Follow Gregors advice! If you did what I told you, you would be high enough level to know the difference either way :wink: My advice was only for high level release moves........

[Blairbob]

I have never heard of any men's gymnasts not using an opposed grip for swing work on the men's bar. Most girl's and girl's coaches teach and train and overgrip with a thumb on top of the bar.

I think this is mainly due to the fact the bar is wide.

I was working one arm hang turn to eagle the other day in my WU (not a swing, just hang on the bar) and noticed an opposed grip isn't so comfortable with my hands. It's doable but not preferred. When my hands are sore from swing work and I need to continue to do leg lifts and pullups, I'll typically use an overgrip on the girl's bar sometimes.