[route149]

Okay so after doing no climbing or training all summer, I tried an opposite hand towel-assisted lock-off today and was surprised to see that it was exactly as easy as when I last tried it. I ended up holding my chin well above the bar and the lower arm almost extended.

It clearly isn't possible to maintain a level without training, so I put it down to trying harder or having accidentally done the right warm-up to recruit efficiently.

But I'm mystified. If I didn't really lose much over quite a long lay-off, I ought to be able to improve faster than I can when I'm training specifically for it.  Past attempts have always ended with such slow progress that I get dispirited.  I'm determined to bust out of this cycle of slow gains.  So, experts, from where I am, how can I go forward to greater lock prowess?  I can only train this in a park, so can't do the pulley thing to take weight off.

[Moo]

if malc can adapt his fingerboard to fit to weight machines on oilrigs you can carry a pulley system to the park

[Falling Down]

I dunno, maybe climb or train during the Summer ?

[Jim]

you don't get stronger when you train, you get stronger when you rest afterwards.
perhaps your body needed a lay off to consolidate itself?
Perhaps you ate a banana and it gave you more solidity?

[GCW]

To be fair, if you're doing a dip on one arm (which is sounds like you are) you can take at least half your weight through that arm.  Hence, your lock off arm will be taking 50% bodyweight or so  ie the same as when you do a pull up.

Therefore, if you can do pull ups, you'll be able to do this exercise.  Try it with a pulley and weight and you'll get a better idea of progress.

[robertostallioni]

Perhaps you ate a banana and it gave you more solidity?

These lot don't know the first thing about solidarity. It's a banana in my pocket, honest.

[GCW]

Did you forget to take your pills again this morning?  I'm making that phone call, right NOW!