Letter from a Fan

Every once in a while, I get an appreciative letter from someone who benefited from one of my books or equipment. I just had to share this one I received recently.--Mike

15 Feb 09

Dear Mr. Brown:

I just wanted to write you a few lines to relate to you how much I have enjoyed your books and equipment. Diagnostic Bodybuilding is the most informative book on this subject that I have ever read.

I am 74 years old and still train three to four times per week. In 1952 I started training and went to California. I trained at Babe Stansbury's Gym with Bob Shealy, Kim Fox, Bud Counts and none of us ever saw a steroid.

I also trained at Bill Pearl's and went to Gironda's Gym on two occasions. In that time and since then I have read countless books on training and nutrition. I still have a collection of the old Iron Man magazines. They were in my opinion the best of the bodybuilding books.

However your books cut through the crap and get right to the real issues. Since I have read your books, I have quit eating pork and have changed my diet.

At the present time I am working on grip strength and really like your wrist roller. It is like no other I have seen. I also have two of your cable handles, which I ordered from you when you were in Kentucky (ad in Iron Man magazine). I still do some cable pulling along with the weights.

I have a picture from May 1992, when they had the Gathering of the Great Bodybuilders in San Diego, Mits Kawashima is in that picture along with my friend Babe Stansbury.

In closing Mr. Brown, let me thank you again for helping me with your book and equipment. They are the very best.

Very truly yours,
BB

Tapered Wrist Roller Q&A

Hello, I was interested in this wrist roller. I currently use a small 1.5" wooden dowel wrist roller. How does this wrist roller differ in terms of forearm size compared to a normal wrist roller? I mean will I see more size with this one? I usually stand on something and hang my arms down and do the wrist roller because I have read that it takes the shoulders out of the movement. What is the difference between doing it with the arms out at shoulder length and the way I do it? Thanks, Joe

The rule of thumb is, the thicker the handle of an exercise device for use with the hands—whether it be a wrist roller or a thick-handled dumbbell—the more grip strength it requires to use it. The corollary is that the more grip strength that is required, the more forearm development you will achieve.

Hanging your arms down is not really a good idea. You simply will not achieve the same level and intensity that you will with your arms held straight out, parallel to the floor. Your hands and forearms will exhaust long before your shoulders.

For more information on why you should use a tapered, rather than straight, wrist roller, see the website linked in the title.