A rookie in need!!

[Jonathan Skinner]

First, I want to thank everyone that contributes their experiences and incite to us new comers. I feel like I should share some history to give some context on my question. I had been the typical highschool AW that beat nearly everyone in the school other than a few giants and at a local tournament I had placed 1st or 2nd nearly every year that I could make it since I was 11(25 now). So last year I heard about the Arkansas state championship and decided that it would be a good chance to see if I was any good or just no one around me was. I asked a friend to go with me. He is left handed and destroys me left but historically I have beat him right but he was very tuff at this point right. I placed first in R novice 165(one other competetor) and second R novice 176(5 or six guys). I was happy about that and decided I would go ahead and try to train, up to that point I had never worked out for arm wrestling. My friend figured out something up there and got some tips on how to workout from don underwood, and now I can't hardly budge him. I've read all over this forum trying to find an explanation on how to lock your arm in tight but didn't see it. For me it seems my arm won't lock until it's at about a 65 or 70 degree angle when my arm is against my side, but his locks around 45degrees. I've got some ideas on ways to train but not really knowing if what I'm thinking really works I'm finding it hard to commit to them and my friend won't tell me anything about what he's doing now. So, can anyone tell me how I can develop a stronger tighter lock and anyother tips or training methods? I really love arm wrestling and I imagine if you read this whole post you do too. I appologize for it's length and appreciate any help you can give, thanks.

[Bill Arnold]

Jonathan - look up "muscle memory" - you can train your muscles to lock at a certain position, or at the very least, get them comfortable in a certain position. If you want to lock, I'd suggest getting a dumbbell, keep your elbow against your side, and hold the dumbbell at the spot you want. Keep at it until you can hold for 45 seconds, then go up in weight. This worked very effectively for me in the past. The result will be that IF someone takes you to that spot, your muscle memory will kick in and you should be more comfortable holding at that spot until they make a mistake. If you're totally outclassed or outmuscled, then all bets are off.

Crazy George from Canada and Michael Todd are two that come to mind that have tremendous holding power in a down position. It goes without saying that John Brzenk does as well. But George and Michael seem to do better when they are in the losing position.

Good luck Jonathan - your story sounds very similar to many of the rest of us.

[Jonathan Skinner]

Thanks Bill, I'll definantly try that out. Any other tips or advice? I'm still learning.

[Bill Arnold]

The fastest way to get good is to hook up with a group of pros who are willing to teach you. And when you workout, you should keep armwrestling in mind with every exercise you do. Focus on how it will help you with the sport. Pay attention to the pain you are going to have - don't push to the point of injury. And wrestle as much as you can!

[Jonathan Skinner]

You know any pros in westcentral miss? The only person I personally know that knows more than me doesn't want me to know what he does. So that's why I was asking for help on here. If there is anyone that is around centralwest miss let me know, I would love to be able to actually train with someone who knows what they're doing. After watching all those videos on myarmtv of miller, klemba, Luke and all the other really good arm wrestler I definantly understand I'm not even close to that level(crazy power)!

[Bill Arnold]

Jonathan, try going to the Training Forum section and posting for Mississippi pullers. Someone on there will certainly guide you in the right direction. If you don't find someone, let me know. I can't think of anyone in that area off the top of my head, but there are guys in neighboring states that will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.

And just so you know, most real pros will show you anything you need to know.

[travisrobinson]

Jonathan,im also a rookie not sure how far we are apart,but would enjoy pulling anytime we can get together,jus pm me ok......Mcfearless out.also hello Bill

[Patrick Wood]

your friend kinda angers me. I don't understand why he would not be willing to tell you how he is training or anything specific that he does.

I suggest that you surf all the training articles on this site. Just remember that everyone is different and will respond differently to different types of training.

I am also a visual learner, and I believe that I learned a great deal from actually watching matches. Get ahold of any footage that you can, you will be amazed at what you can learn by watching matches over and over again. Then apply what you picked up from the videos to your training, through discussion and actual application with your training partners. You can even bounce the ideas off of other board members. Knowledge is very very powerfull when it comes to armwrestling.

[Jonathan Skinner]

I'm definantly watching every match I can on armtv. Unfortonantly I'm more of a hands on learner but still trying to pull what I can by watching. My friends just worried if I start doing what he is then I'll start beating him again"shrugs" so to a point I understand but thanks everyone that's sent me advice and anyone else that's got some my ears are allways open of eyes in this case.

[Jonathan Skinner]

I ment "or my eyes in this case" not of

[John Wilson]

Trust me. Your friend doesn't know anything that is all that significant. All you need is to hook up with a seasoned puller who can teach you some solid fundamentals. I'm guessing your buddy has discovered back pressure. That initial discovery will make someone feel invincible to anyone who doesn't know what backpressure is or how to use it.

Videos are a great tool, but you really need to get on the table with somebody who knows what they are doing and who can teach you some things. You need to feel the pressures as they are applied in different techniques so that the videos you are watching will mean something to you. Your brain has to be able to relate to what it is seeing.

Bill's suggestion to cruise the Training Forum is priceless. Just get on there and read, read, and read some more. Patrick's right that everyone is different. Don't take anything you read as gospel- but at least it will get you going in the right directions and give you ideas to try.

[Josh Handeland]

May 18, 2010 12:40:42 GMT -5 Jonathan Skinner said:

My friend figured out something up there and got some tips on how to workout from don underwood, and now I can't hardly budge him. my friend won't tell me anything about what he's doing now.

Steroids.

Just kidding Don. Sorry for my extremely unhelpful response. My arm won't lock out at 45 degrees either so I am going to read the rest of this thread now.