Iron Cross After 50

Former college gymnast from 30 years ago achieves goal to do an Iron Cross in the "L" position after undergoing surgery to repair torn bicep tendon at age 50.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Gymnastics

[anhisking]

hope ill be such a beast at that age

[pritchardiamark]

@anhisking And still doing it at 54!

Thanks.

[jake0the0muss]

fuckin respect bro! i use to do gymnastics, my brother was incredy close to the commonwealth gammes and i know this is fcuking hard to do! i hope im as fit and strong when im your age..... jake

[pritchardiamark]

@jake0the0muss Thanks for the supportive comment. Sounds like your brother was a stud! When did he try for the Commonwealth Games?

[TheExgymnast]

The straps are about 3 feet long....thus, it's MUCH easier to do a cross (whether its an L-cross or an regular iron cross). Props for the effort (and age!) but it wouldn't be considered a real iron cross by FIG.

[pritchardiamark]

@TheExgymnast Very observant. Physics still rules. Having competed at both the high school and collgiate levels back in the 70s, I do know the difference. I recently had access to FIG rated rings and still was able to do 4 L-Cross pullouts. Not too bad for a guy of 53! Thanks for your review of the video. PLease check out my other one doing 4 pullouts (53-year-old iron cross).

[pritchardiamark]

@rollybody Thanks for your interest. How get bigger arms is really not the question to ask; getting stonger is the key. It takes a combination of exercises. One exercise I like to do are pullups with a grip with hands parallel to the body. It feels like an arm curl and actually is. You get the benfit of the curl and building lat muscles at the same time. Kinda like a two fer one!

Don't forget doing front levers. Strong ABS are key to most every move. Good luck!

[rollybody]

Looks very good to me, you are great. I am 50 and I have been in weight lifting for many years and now i just started also into gymnastics. I have the rings and try also the iron cross. Pretty hard work. Whats the best exercise to get bigger arms in your opinion, the iron cross or back lever...or something else?

[pritchardiamark]

@FIRST465 D-

Probably a carry-over from my college days........................ov­er 30 years ago. Just like riding a bicycle.

Thanks,

Mark

[FIRST465]

@pritchardiamark I can't do any cross :P it's too hard ;) SO, you are very strong ;D