Rip A Phonebook In Half
Want to show off your strength at the next party? There are few
strongman tricks so impressive as ripping a phonebook in half
with your bare hands. Try doing it, however, and no matter how
strong you are, it will be nearly impossible. With the right technique,
though, almost anyone can frighten foes and dazzle everyone around
them with this trick. |
1) Fold the phonebook in the center with your thumbs.
Use your thumbs to bend down the center of the phonebook. Put
your thumbs close together in the middle (though still along the
top edge) of the book. Push down with your thumbs so that the
center of the book bends down to form a sort of crease.
2) Place your index fingers to the sides of the fold. While your
thumbs will be on the top side (the front) of the book, your other
fingers will all be folded over the edge so that they grip the
bottom side (in other words, the back) of the book. Your index
fingers (also called "pointer fingers") should be right
against the sides of the fold your thumbs have created.
.
3) Note the tiny air spaces in the crease.
Bend the side edges of the book downward with your fingers. Keeping
your thumbs (and the crease) in position, begin to bend the corners
of the book down while also pushing inward on the crease. You'll
feel your chest (pectoral) muscles being used if you're doing
it right. The crease in the book will become more accentuated,
and if you look carefully at the crease, you'll be able to see
pockets of air form between the pages.
4) Begin the tear by pulling the edges downward and outward while
keeping the crease folded.
Rotate your hands to tear the book. Twist the right side of the
book up with your right hand while twisting the left side down
with your left hand (this can be reversed depending on what's
comfortable for you). Maintain a firm grip on the book at all
times, and use your pectoral muscles to keep firm inward pressure
on the book. The book should begin to tear.
.
5) Continue tearing. Rearrange your hands if necessary.
Tear through the book. If you're strong enough and maintain a
good grip on the book, you may be able to rip the book all the
way down the center of its length in one shot. Otherwise you may
need to reposition your hands and continue ripping less gracefully.
Either way, it will be impressive.