IronMind Rolling Thunder

The Rolling Thunder is a revolving, thick deadlift handle made by IronMind and introduced in 1993. The lifter grips a thick sleeve that spins freely around a fixed core, so the handle rolls out of the fingers unless the hand clamps it hard enough to stop it turning. The one-hand Rolling Thunder deadlift is one of the best-known support grip tests in the sport, with an official rule set and world records kept by IronMind. For other revolving handles, see Rolling Handles: Types and Brands.

Design

The handle is a short, thick sleeve that turns on a central core. The weight hangs below it from a loading pin attached with a clip; IronMind's contest rules call for its 15-inch Olympic loading pin and a carabiner. Because the sleeve turns, the lifter cannot let the load sit in the crease of the fingers the way it does on a fixed bar. Any loss of grip pressure lets the sleeve roll and the fingers open. At 2-3/8 inches the handle is also thick, so the thumb cannot reach far around it and the fingers do most of the work.

The current handle is the second version. IronMind's record list marks a 2008 lift as the final world record on "Rolling Thunder, V1," and its rules require an authentic, unmodified current-model handle for record attempts.

The official lift

IronMind publishes the rules for the Rolling Thunder one-hand deadlift. In summary:

• Equipment. An unmodified current-model handle that turns freely, wiped clean before each attempt, with calibrated plates or plates checked on a proven scale.
• Grip. The handle is held near its centre and kept roughly parallel to the floor. A thumbless grip is not allowed, and touching the non-revolving part of the handle disqualifies the lift.
• No body contact. The hand or handle may not rest on the body during the lift beyond incidental contact. Dragging the handle up the leg is an immediate no lift.
• Completion. The lifter stands fully upright with legs and hips locked, holds control for one second, then lowers on the referee's down signal, keeping hold of the handle until the plates are on the floor.
• Time. The lifter has one minute after being called, with unlimited attempts in that minute.
• Chalk. Ordinary magnesium carbonate chalk on the hand only. Liquid chalk is banned, and chalk may not go on the handle.

Contests other than IronMind's often use the Rolling Thunder or a similar handle under their own rules. Check the event's rules before training for a specific contest.

World records

IronMind lists these records for the one-hand deadlift:

Mark Felix pulled 136.53 kg (301 lb) on 18 January 2008. That lift stands as the final world record on the first-version handle and is not comparable with lifts on the current model. IronMind's rough guide to the lift is that a lifter who cannot pull about 250 lb on the Rolling Thunder probably does not have a world-class grip.

Training

The Rolling Thunder is trained much like any heavy single-arm pull: low reps, full rest, and a few heavy singles near the top of a session. Lifters usually add timed holds at a submaximal load, plus thick-bar and fixed-handle work for general support strength. Because the handle punishes any slack in the grip, many lifters set the fingers deliberately and squeeze before the plates leave the floor rather than trying to catch the handle on the way up. For programming, see Support Grip: How to Train It and Grip Specialization Training.

See also

• Rolling Handles: Types and Brands
• Support Grip: How to Train It
• IronMind
• Axle and Thick Bars
• Equipment Standards
• A–Z of grip tools

Heavy one-hand pulls load the fingers, wrist and lower back unevenly. Warm up, keep the plates close to the floor when learning the lift, and see safety.

Sources

• IronMind, Rolling Thunder rules and world records: https://ironmind.com/certification/rolling-thunder/
• Garage Gym Reviews, product specifications: https://www.garagegymreviews.com/equipment/ironmind-rolling-thunder-revolving-deadlift-handle