Last summer when I got my TRX I bought the Talon Trainers at the same time. But I'm not quite sure what exercises I can do for my fingers.

Two I've thought of are finger curls and finger presses.

With the finger curl I train the closing power of my fingers. It's lot like the TRX high bicep curl, with the same setup for the TRX and user position. With my fingers in a sort of claw I place the distal phalanges of my fingers in the loops of the talon trainer (two fingers in each), I then close my fingers into a fist and then back into the claw. I am careful not to move my arms and shoulders so as not to lessen the resistance for my fingers. I find my forearms work as well.

The finger press trains the opening power of the fingers, I've not seen any other device that allows you to train this part of the finger. This one is a lot like the tricep press in the same ways as the curls. With my fingers forming a 90º angle from my palm I again place the distal phalanges of my fingers, but this time with my finger nails against the strap. I then open my fingers so my fingers and palm form a straight line and then back to 90º. Again I am careful not to move my arms and shoulders and only move my fingers.

What other exercises can I use for finger training?

Thanks in advance,

Max

 Hey Max

I like some of your extension ideas here. You've clearly been thinking about it. The Talon Trainers can be used as opposed the the handles to do pretty much any exercise where your hands are using the TRX. This causes the foreams to work throughout all of the functional actions. Try to integrate your entire body into the actions just as you would if you were rock climbing. Remember that the muscles that result in finger strength connect in a fascial line all the way to your pelvis. Don't be afraid of integration. Try high rows using various hand positions (palm up, thumb up, palm down, thumb down) the shoulder sequence (low, L, T, W, Y, I), curl, triceps press etc. 

You will find that the application of the talon trainers to these basic exercises adds a whole new element. If you are looking for more challenge try to use these exercises in single handle mode or play with how many fingers you are using in each talon trainer loop and how deeply you place them in. 

Give these a try and let me know how it goes for you. 

Thanks Fraser,

I tried doing the Military workout with them before, but my fingers lacked the endurance to not become a limiting factor in my workout, which was why i was considering isolation exercises, but maybe i shouldn't have used them for all the exercises.

I find the Deltoid set easy, so i'll add the tallon trainers for my superset of them tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I don't know what all the letters in the shoulder sequence you listed stand for though. Which appear in the military guide, or do they all?

 Thanks again,

Max

Wow, i never found the Deltoid section to be hard, even following all the tips to make it harder on the DVD. But using the talon trainers I have to say i really felt it. I took them off for the back extension though, but my arms still burnt when i'd finished that.

I'm definately going to use them again on friday, i'll add it to all the exercises i find too easy that use the hands. I think this will really add a new element of difficulty to my workout.

Thanks so much!

Max

 I'm glad that you found the talon trainers notched it up a level Max. To answer your question from the previous post, the shoulder series can be done using a wide variety of arm positions. I'm surprised by your comment that you usually don't find this one challenging. Try to use a steeper angle and perhaps take your offset foot position and bring it closer together. You shouldn't have any problem making these movements light up  your shoulders regardless of whether you've integrated the talon trainers or not.

Each one of the letters does hit the shoulder girdle a little differently. We have used the letter descriptions as part of the name as they loosely describe what the arm position looks like at the end of the movement. Below are some quick descriptions that hopefully will clarify things for you.

"Low" - Keep arms straight and do the action so at the end position your arms are slightly away from your body at thigh level. You will need to have a long or even use a stepping offset for this movement to feel right because it is so long

"L"- Low row your elbows into your sides and then externally rotate your shoulders keeping your elbows glued to your sides and a 90 depgree bend at your elbows. At this point each arm will form an L shape

"T" - Keep your arms straight and pull your arms wide and to the side at shoulder level to create a T shape

"W" - Very much like the L but this time you row to a high position and then externally rotate. Factoring in your head, you will have made a W at the end of the movement

"Y" - Like the T but reaching on angles overhead with straight arms... a little like the arm actions that go with the YMCA song... and don't tell me you've never done it because whether they wanted to or not, EVERYONE has at one point or another

"I" - With straight arms take them right overhead 

Try to cycle through 3 to 5 reps of each position with as little rest as possible.

I hope that some of this is helpful for you

Cheers 

Actually i remember a question i wanted to ask you when i was watching the DVD.

I always have my feet touching eachother while performing the deltoid set. For the majority of the time it is my heels touching, though i did do it heel to toe the first time i did it as a superset. The angle of my body at the bottom of the movement is about 40º off the ground. So what i wanted to ask when you was how deep can i go on the deltoid set while still working the muscles in the right way? Can i do it in a similar position to the low row with my feet under the anchor point, or even on the wall if i was feeling adventurous, and still work the deltoid muscles in the correct way?

 My completion of 12 week program had been delayed by school and health issues, but i'm currently in week 10, so once i've finished week 12 i'll start tinkering and add in those other parts of the shoulder set.

Y: lol, I just did it while reading your reply, luckly i'm alone

 I: Is this one covered during the back extensions?