Saturday Workout - 12/31

6AM
Lower Back Ab rotation.
Been sick past few days
Grip - I just went through the motions.

Observations

In scanning the various forums over the years, I've noticed the following negative types:

1. The gripster, who as long as they are progressing:
*who helps everyone,
*posts on every forum, they can find where grip strength is remotely mentioned, to detail their feats.
*when they have a set back, they either go into oblivion, or whine endlessly.
2. The sanctimonious gripster:
* who questions every feat.
* jumps on any strong non-member for being a roid head.
* defends certain gurus to the point of foolishness.
* has a need to inject religion or morality into everything.
3. The armchair power/weight lifter.
* who drones on and on about how Kaz is the strongest man who ever lived.
* modern powerlifters are on steroids (There were no steroids 20 years ago :) )
* modern powerlifters are weak.
* who speculate what gripper a certain powertlifting legend could not close.
* can talk supplement/anti supplement all day.
* droning endlessly about RAW lifting.
* almost all of them look like Mama Cass, or a concentration camp victim.
4. The Ass Wipe
* Must post on every thread.
* Endlessly tries to fit in.
* Demonstrates that they can use Google.

More to come.

Becca Swanson

Some on the Gripboard are convulsing because of Becca's recent 550x10 deadlift exhibition. It is said she used an overhand grip. She is an incredible athlete.

BUT since she is not a GB member, and is stronger than 99.44% of its members, the steroid card has to be thrown out.

Fucking pinheads.

Thursday Workout - 12/29

530AM
Lower Back/ Ab Rotation
Upright Rows/w Apollon's Axle - 6 sets. Heavy.
Inverted Rows/w Apollin's Axle - 5 sets. 30 sec rest between sets.
Hands felt like they worked.
Brookfield 2 Hand Towel/w additional hand towel Rollup - 4 sets. Add platemate each set.
The towel rollups are THE FIRST exercise ever that intensely hits the "pinky" clump for me.

Wed Workout - 12/28

530AM
YMCA
Chinups - 3x20
Rope Pulls - 5x20
Hammer Lat Pull - 3x20
Hammer Shoulder Press - Smith Press - Hammer Laterals - 2 laps
Reverse Curls - 3 x 12 light
Some other arm crap

HOME - GRIP
Lower Arms aching from yesterday. Decided for a feeder workout to get flushed.
2 Hand Towel Rollups - 5 sets - adding platemates to 10lb plate
Homemade Formulator - 1 set extensions

The towel rollups may be the best thing I've added this year.

Conspiracy Theory

Well like clockwork. The GB is abuzz because someone got a bundle of RED nails and one was 3/8's of an inch.

Now there is talk of cheapening other's accomplishments, the fucking blue pads and the terrible thing they did with the #3 certs. GROW THE FUCK UP.

I was reviewing some of the #3 closes, from 2 years ago in the GB gallery. Frankly I am surprised Ironmind did not tighten things up sooner. Some of the closes are disgraceful.

Tuesday Workout - 12/27

530AM
Lower Back Ab Rotation
Grip
1/2 York 80 (42lbs), PDA Blobette. Just picked up and moved them around. Felt sort of fatigued from the double weekend session.
IM TUG - Last 2 fingers - 30 reps each hand (#4).
Brookfield Towel Rollup - 2 hands - 3 laps

5 minutes into it, I could feel that I was not reocover. Pulled back and coasted.

Monday Workout - 12/26

Bit worn out and bloated from the Christmas weekend. My mother also uses tooo much salt.

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth, Old York bar - 135x30 185x20 225x20 315x10 315x10
Hammer Bench, Hammer Decline, Hammer Incline - 2 cycles - no rest
Light Hammer Hi-Rows
Abs

Lower arms a bit sore and puffy this morning.

Sunday Workout - 12/25

8AM
Lower BAck Ab rotation
Heavy Upright Rows with Apollon's Axle - 5 sets
Inverted Rows, Feet elevated, Apollon's - 4 sets - 20 second rest between.
Fooled with 1/2 York 80 and PDA Blobette. Added more shot. Used PlateMates. This thing is pretty close to full.
#4 Tug - Last 2 fingers
#5 Tug - Last 2 fingers.
I'm going slow on these, no need to tear pinky out. Felt solid
BrookField Towel Rolls - 2 laps
Homemade Formulator Extension - 3 sets.

Saturday Workout 12/24 - Part 2

YMCA
Did a circuit. Warmed up then medium heavy:
Hammer Low Row, Hammer High Row, Rope Pull, Hammer Lat, Other Hammer Lat pull.
Chins 2x25
Same with shoulders - Hammer Press , Smith Press, Hammer Laterals.
Light Arms
Abs

Saturday Workout 12/24

730AM
GRIP
Screwed around with 1/2York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Used PlateMates on each set.
I have been adding a bit of shot every workout to the Blobette. It is almost time to weigh it. There is not much room left. I'm using #8 lead shot.

#4 Tug - Pinky and ring - x20 - Getting feel for it.

Brookfield 2 Hand Towel Rollup - 3 sets 10lbs , 12.5lbs 12.5lbs

Extinct Dinosaur

I surfing some of the boards last night I noticed there are threads of displeasure with Rubiks Brooks $197.00 pushup course.

Of course the washed up NFL strength coach had to chastise Gripboard members for being too cheap.

I am convinced the forum Napoleon Dynamite's brother frequented was the GB. ;)

Friday Workout - 12/23

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - old York bar - 135x50 185x20 225x20 315x10 315x10
Nothing balls to ball, no sense in getting stupid with shoulder.
DB Bench - 3x20
Hammer Bench, Hammer Incline, Hammer decline - 2 cycles
Medium Heavy Hammer Low Row - 5 sets
Light Hammer high row - 3 sets
Abs

Dinosaur Training?

I just got the latest moronic ad-copy from my favorite grip legend. Rubiks Brooks, of Dinosaur Training fame is offering a bodyweight course for $197 if you want some extras the price escalates to a reasonable $697.00.

WHAT FUCKING MORON WILL PAY THIS?

This reminds me of the brother on Napoleon Dynamite. If you've seen the movie you will know what I mean instantly.

Do yourself a favor, hit the Q&A Section at EliteFTS. It is free, and lifters and trainers with REAL credentials answer your questions.

Flame off.

Thursday Workout - 12/22

530AM
Lower Back/Ab rotation
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 5 sets to heavy weight. Kept reps in 10-12 range.
Inverted Rows - Lay Face up on floor, elevate feet about 2' off ground, grab Apollon's and row. - 4 sets, short rests.
Fooled with 1/2 York 80 and PDA Blobette for a few sets. Hands tired.
Brookfield 2 hand towel rollups + 10lbs - 2 sets of 2 laps.

The thickbar work cuts into everything else. But it will pay off.

Wed Workout - 12/21

530AM
10 Degrees
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Chins - 3x20 Short rests
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Hammer Lat Pulldowns - 3x20
Hammer Shoulder Press - 3x10 ss/w Smith Press
Reverse curls
Rope Extensions
Abs

Fast pace, more of a feeder workout.

NO $650.00 thick bars were used. ;)

THE OVERPRICED ROPE

Just got an email from my favorite grip huckster. Evidently it is dangerous to make your own rope implement. Since he is wasting his time sending a derogatory email out, I suspect he is afraid of getting stuck with a pile of junk over the holidays.

Oh, and my homemade implement is plenty strong.

It is a shame that gripdom must put up with these pantloads. ;)

Tuesday Workout - 12/20

530AM
Abs etc
Grip
1/2 York 80 (42lbs) and PDA blobette. Platemates added each set. Still nothing formal.
Brookfield 2 hand towel rollups. 3 sets. 5lbs and 10lbs. Added a dishtowel to increase thickness. This SMOKES the forearms.

Bit fatigued from the double session this weekend. But not bad overall.

This progress has been made WITHOUT "secret training modalities", $50 colored grippers or $100.00 3 foot ropes. ;)

More Secrets

I just saw on one of the forums where someone is being trained to hoist the Inch by a second tier guru. He was told not to reveal the training system. I have NO patience for this. The whole idea behind these TRAINING forums is to exchange knowledge. Grow the fuck up.

Monday Workout - 12/19

530AM
Bit tired and beat up this morning.
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - Old York bar - 135x40 185x25 225x20 295x10 315x10
Decline - 3 light sets of 20
Hammer Bench, Hammer Decline, Hammer Incline - 2 cycles. No rest.
Cable Pullovers
Abs

Sunday Aftermath

The doubled up towel rollups have my hands a mess. I need to concentrate when picking my coffee mug up. Thank you John Brookfield.

When in doubt, go back to the basics. NOT $100.00 three foot ropes. ;)

Sunday Workout - 12/18

630AM
Balmy 17 degrees.
Lowerback ab rotation.
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle. - 6 sets to heavy weight.
Piddled around with 1/2York80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Added a few Platemates each set.
2 Hand Towel Rollups - 4 sets. Clamped weight on and doubled towel over.
Homemade Fore-arm-ulator extensions. 3 sets.

Left some in tank.

CRAP From FHS

I just recieved the latest from the "grip guru":

...No drugs, no wraps, no chalk, no supplements, no tricks, no
encouragement from anyone else,.... (Copyright FHS)

So Chalk is cheating?

I wonder what twits on the forums are buying the $100.00 Jowett
Xeroxes. ? Hmmmm.

It is still a mystery why the guru's ad graphic is MIA on the Gripboard.

Saturday Workout 12/17 - Grip

Shoulder Rehab
Beach Towel 2 hand rollup x1
1/2 York 80 and Blobette work. Adding PlateMates each set.
Finished with Beach towel rollups with 5lb plate clamped on.

Saturday Workout 12/17

830AM
YMCA
Heavy Hammer Low Row - 5 sets increase weight each set.
Medium Weight Hammer lat pull - 4 sets
Light Hammer High Row - 3 sets
Hammer Shoulder Press, Smith Press and Hammer Lateral - 2 cycles.
Rope Pulls
Abs

Metric System

I have been keeping my contact with both grip forum's "light". But I just some some nitwit decided to post a thread on both forums about the USA's conversion to the metric system. WHO GIVES A SHIT. ;)

50 Dollar Green Gripper

I just got an email from the premier grip guru huckster. They are fully stocked on $50 green handled grippers. The same people whining about the price of the IM Tug will be falling over themselves for this. ;)

Friday Workout - 12/16

530AM
YMCA
Had a few Jack Daniel's last night. I'm a bit groggy.
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - Old York Bar - 135x50 185x30 225x20 305x15 315x10
Quick pace.
DB bench - 3x20
Hammer Decline, Incline and Flat - 2 cycles
Abs

Hands a bit sore.

John Brookfield - Blueprint for Grip Strength DVD

I just watched the DVD last night. Excellent. Well worth the $24.95. No showing off, just solid instruction. Get it.

Thursday Workout - 12/15

5AM
Balmy 7 degrees.
Lower Back Ab rotation.
Grip
Warmed up with 2 hand beach towel rollup. This one is a keeper.
Fooled with 1/2 York80 and PDA Blobette. Adding PlateMates each set.
Finishe with 2 setos of 2 hand beach rollups again. Clamed weight on.
2.5lbs first set , 5lbs 2nd set.

Wed Workout - 12/14

530AM
-3 degrees. Yahoo!
YMCA
Shoulder ReHab
Did 2 circuits of lat pulls, rope pulls, low Hammer Rows, shoulder press, laterals, reverse curls and rope extensions.
Abs.

Lower arms sore. Little beatup from upright rows yesterday.

Tuesday Workout - 12/13

530AM
LowerBack Ab rotation - 5 degrees in garage.
Upright Rows w/Apollon's Axle - 5 sets medium weight 8-25 reps
Fooled with 1/2 York 80 and PDA Blobette. Nothing balls to the wall.
REST

Monday Workout - 12/12

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - old York bar - 135x40 185x30 225x20 300x15 305x15
Light DB Bench - 3x20
Hammer Decline, Incline, Flat - 2 cycles. Medium Weight 20 rep sets
Hammer Hight Row - 3 sets medium weight.
Abs

Hands felt a bit sore in thumb pad area.

Sunday Workout - 12/11

7AM
Lowerback Ab rotation
Grip
Concentrated on using last 3 fingers and 1/2 York 80 (42lbs).
Hands pretty toasted.
Steady progress.

Shot rotation later.

Conspiracy Theory

I popped in on the GB this morning. Some nitwit is wondering why IronMind doesn't mention the GB. Probably because of the douchebag from PDA. Just a guess.

Anyhoo, they sponsor Grippermania. ;)

Saturday Workout 12/10

830AM
YMCA
Heavy Hammer Low Row. Best ever.
Rope Face Pulls - 4 sets
Rope Rows - 4 Sets
Hammer Row - Medium - 4 sets
Shoulder Superset - Smith Press, Hammer Press, Hammer Lateral. 3 cycles.
Rope extensions.
Tri Pressdowns
Light Bi's
Abs

No grip today. Thumbs a bit sore.

Friday Workout - 12/9

Snowing Heavy, so I bagged the YMCA
530AM
LowerBack Ab Rotation
Upright Rows - Apollon's Axle - 6 sets. 20-12 reps. Medium Heavy weight.

Block Weights
Fooled with 1/2York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Just to grease the groove.

Time to fire up the snow blower.

Break From the Forums

I'm taking a break from the grip forums. Too much stupidity and inane questions. "What are the dimensions of the Inch Dumbbell?" for example.

Thursday Workout - 12/8

Bit sick last night. Could not eat
6AM
11 degrees out - bagged going out to the garage for hypers and reverse hypers. I'll get them in later.
GRIP
Fooled with 1/2York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Getting stronger. The blobette is wider than the Blob50.
TTK - Fingers on top, whole hand, then isolated each finger. 2 sets
Brookfield Fat bar rotation - 1 set each direction.
Towel Rollup - 1 set.
Homemade Formulator Extension - 1 set.

Wed Workout - 12/7

530AM
YMCA
Pullups - 3x30 - bodyweight. (235lbs)
Rope Face pulls. 3 sets
Rope Rows ss/w Hammer Low Row - 3 cycles
Smith Press ss/w Hammer Press - 3 cycles
Laterals
Light Hammer Curls, ss with rope extensions 3 cycles
Abs

IronMind 3.5

People stop asking for it. Get strong enough to close a #3. The rest will take care of itself.

Tuesday Workout - 12/6

5AM
Lowerback Ab Rotation. Cold in the garage
Grip
Messed with 1/2York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Went in a bit sore and fatigued from the 2 weekends sessions. So just piddled around.
Titan Telegraph Key - 1 Hand - Fingers on top. Last 2 fingers. Worked this back and forth with no rest.

Wave of Moronic Postings on the GB

It seems this goes in cycles.

1. Did Brookfield close the #4? Call him.
2. Did Strossen close the #3? Call him.
3. Why doesn't Ironmind make a 1.5, 2.5, 3.5? Call them. My theory is that Dr Strossen knows Warren Tetting enjoys making custom grippers. Why cut into his enjoyment?
4. What is the difference between the COC shiny springs and dull ones? Nothing. Leave the conspiracy stuff to the who shot Kennedy crowd.
5. Will Ironmind make a number #5? Call them.
6. Why is the TUG the same price as a rgular sized gripper? The handles are 1/4" in diameter larger. There is extra machining on the ends. Also call them.
7. Did Joe Kinney heat the #4 spring before he closed it? Yes and he suffered 3rd degree burns. ;)

Also STOP the never ending schilling of the conman Matt Furey.


STOP YOUR WHINING.

Monday Workout - 12/5

530AM - YMCA
Bit sore all over. Weather change
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - old York Bar - 135x40 185x30 225x20 295x15 295x15
Hammer Banch ss/w Hammer Decline - 2 cycles.
Cable Crossover. 3 sets
Rope Pullover - 4 sets to heavy weight.
Abs

Sunday Workout - 12/4

7AM
LowerBack Ab rotation
GRIP
Lower Arms a bit sore.
Upright Rows with Apollon's Axle - 5 sets to heavy weight.
Fooled with block weights. 1/2 York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. I have been adding a bit of shot to the blobette every workout, along with sticking PlateMates on it. No set routine. I just pick them up and move them around.
Brookfield Fat Bar rotations - Forward and backward.
Towel Rollup - 1 each hand
Homemade Formulator extensions - 3 sets. It is fun to ignore correct strength curve, anatomical, biomechanical and physiological factors and also basic physics. As the FHS guri points out. ;)

Anyhoo, if you have not made a leverage wrist training device, do so now.

Saturday Workout 12/3 - Part 2

YMCA
Heavy Rope Face Pulls
Heavy Rope Rows
Hammer Heavy Lat Pull
Light Shoulder Presses
Light Hammer Shoulder Press
Light Reverse Curls
Rope Tris
Abs

Saturday Workout 12/3

7AM
GRIP
Fooled with 1/2 York 80 (42lbs) and PDA Blobette. Using PlateMates to add weight.
Big improvement over the past 2 weeks. Still not following a routine. Just playing around for a half hour.

I wonder where I would be if I owned a $100.00 3 foot rope? ;)

Friday Workout - 12/2

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - old York Bar. 135x30 185x20 225x20 295x15 295x15
Light Dumbbell Benches - 3x20
Hammer Decline - 3x20
Rope Abs

More Douche Bags

Sighted on the GB in defense of the $100.00 rope:

"I stand with Heath on this one. If you are short on money, you can always mow some lawns, shovel snow, or even collect and cash in on cans & bottles in states that have bottle deposit laws. Buy quality equipment from a reputable source and you will not be sorry."

It amazes me how some fall all over themselves for the "guru" and his washed up strength coach pop. The day I pick through garbage to collect cans to raise money for a fat clothesline, is the day I vote for Hillary Clinton.
;)

Thursday Workout - 12/1

530AM
LowerBack Ab rotation
Fooled with block weights. 1/2 York 80 and Blobette. Using Platemates to increase weight. Nothing formal.
Homemade Formulator extensions - 3 sets 12.5 15 12.5 - 15+ reps per set. It is refreshing to defy the laws of physics (According to insulting, poorly written ad copy)

Douche Bag Post of the WEEK

Our favorite NFL Strength Coach Legend recently posted this on the GB:

"(in tracking members of this board my associates and I have found that many
individuals here don't work... this is sad and pathetic. If you are sick and
dis-abled this is understandable...if you can train hard but don't work and always whine
about the cost of quality equipment then your situation is rather pathetic...I'm sure
you can find shoulders to cry on both here and elsewhere but whiners and
"poor boys" are a sad bunch to be tied to...)"

This was in response to a few members expressing that $100 for a 3 foot rope was a bit pricy. AND WHO THE FUK are his associates?

More on the ROPE

The legendary Retired Bengal's Strength coach is now defending the $100.00 manila rope his "Guru" offspring is selling. Something about their exclusive hardware. Yeah Right.

If you want 2" rope, goto mcmaster.com. You can order by the foot. Then go to Home Depot and nose around, you will find the hardware to do just about anything with that rope.

Wed Workout - 11/30

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Pullups - 3x20
Various Cable pulls.
Light Shoulders
Reverse curls ss/w cable curls
Rope triceps.
Abs
All the pads on the machines and benches were out getting recovered.
I needed a light day.

Tuesday Night

Hands slightly sore all day. I stopped on the computer about an hour ago. I got this thing about 75% installed. I'm having another water glass of Fortissimo, for active recovery, then I'm hitting the sack.

The Brookfield DVD is set to arrive tomorrow, along with the #7 TUG.

I'm still wondering why the F-Handstrength logo is MIA on the GB.

Tuesday Workout - 11/29

In bed after 12. I got obsessed with installing Open-Xchange on my home server. Now I have to pay for it.
530AM
LowerBack Ab Rotation
Fooled with blocks. 1/2York 80 and PDA blobette. Had trouble focusing. Next time I shutdown at 10PM. I'm too old for this.
Towel Rollups.
Gave up. ;)

Still felt pretty solid, even with the lack of sleep.

ROPES

I just got the email from the well know handstrength guru. A short 2" diameter rope for pullups etc. $99.00! I will stick with throwing a thick towel over the chinup bar at the Y.

IRONMIND TUG

I cannot get over the debate on the GB about the new IM TUG gripper. If the "guru" or PDA were hawking it, it would be the greatest thing since sliced bread. It is amusing to see the newbies parrot any of the "cliq's" negative comments.

Mine should be here in 2 days.

Shenandoah Homemade Formulator Update

He has added another pic of a variation made by a well known gripster.

GRIPPAGE


Nothing beats not getting conned into throwing $175.00 away ;)

Homemade Formulator Rebuke

I just recieved some insulting email ad copy from everyone's "favorite" grip guru. He has the homemade formulator crowd in his sights as well as the PDA Chimera.

Evidently the homemade devices defy the laws of physics and cannot work. :O Tell that to my extensors. ;)

"I wont go into it too much here but the el-knockoffs are fubar incorrect
with respect to the correct strength curve, anatomical,
biomechanical and physiological factors and also basic physics.

Whew, The bottom line is that if you aint training with a real
Formulator, you are wasting your valuable time with a piece o junk."

It is only a piece of junk if it keeps $175.00 out of the guru's pocket. ;)

Sorry, I can reproduce part of the email, since I give, FUNCTIONAL HANDSTRENGTH full credit.

Monday Workout - 11/28

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - Index on Smooth - Old York Olympic Bar - 135x40 185x30 225x20 295x15 295x15
Hammer Decline, Hammer Incline, Hammer Bench - 2 sets each. Giant Set. Medium Heavy weight. 12 reps each.
Gironda Rope Pulls - 3 sets
Abs

Chimera vs Formulator

PDA has posted new photos and adcopy for it's "Formulator Killer".

CHIMERA

This may be why the "Guru" pulled his ad graphic from the top of the GB. PDA's scathing ad-copy is priceless. The Functional Hand Guru will no doubt unleash a barage of SPAM denouncing this unit. ;) Both camps are douchebags though. I'll be using my homemade piece for a long time.

New Homemade Formulator

Take a look:

Shenandoah's Grippage

Just scroll down a bit. I guess I need to go to Home Depot Again.

Devil's Advocate Update

PDA got a head's up. They are going to make do on them. Of course if they were given a squeeze before they left the building. ;) Being a GB sponsor, they could have nipped this in the bud yesterday. But "Too much work to do to hang on the boards." was the reason.

Hmmm.

Another Loose Handle - Devil's Advocate

I see someone else on the GB ordered the $100.00 Ivanko modification. Another loose handle. Again if this were Ironmind, there would be calls for a boycott.

Modified Ivanko Super Gripper

I just saw on the GB someone picked up the PDA "Devil's Advocate" modified Ivanko Super Gripper. And the HANDLE FELL OFF?!? For $100.00!? If Ironmind shipped a turd like that, there would be a 15 page thread by now. ;)

Sunday Workout - 11/27

7AM
Lowerback Ab rotation
Shoulder rehab.
Upright Rows with Apollon's Axle - 6 sets. Medium/Heavy weight. This toasts the hands.
Tore big chunk off the left thumb yesterday, due to sharp edge on blobette.
Left Hand - Towel rollups. Worked up to a heavy weight, concentrating on just moving it a few inches.
Right Hand - Block work with 1/2 York 80 and PDA Blobette. Attached weights with Platemate magnets on blobette. Backed off a bit from yesterday.
BrookField fat bar rotations with Apollon's Axle
Extensions with homemade forumlator.

I'm looking forward to getting the John Brookfield DVD this week.

Saturday Workout 11/26 - Part 2

YMCA
Hammer Low Row - 4 sets to heavy weight.
Rope Pulls - 3 sets medium heavy
Hammer Lat pull - 3 sets to heavy weight
Hammer Shoulder press, Hammer Laterals, light smith machine press. No rest 2 cycles.
Light Reverse Curls
Light Rope extensions
Abs.

Saturday Workout 11/26

7AM
LowerBack/Ab rotation
GRIP
Block work with PDA Blobette. Attaching extra weight with PlateMates.
Nothing formal. Concentratiing on sets of 4 reps, breaking a few inches from floor. Tore left thumb open. Thank god for Nu-Skin

New Ironmind Catalog is OUT

Web page has been updated. I've ordered the new Brookfield DVD.

It is fun to watch the debate on the GB about the new items. The "newbies" wait for the cliq' elite to respond then fall in order.

ELITEFTS GRIP TOOLS

Elite just added some more grip items.

The Grip Kit

For the price of a Formulator, you can get some useful stuff that works the weak link, the THUMB. Elite's service is TOP NOTCH. They will talk to you on the phone,give friendly advice, and their QandA forum is second to none.

Friday Workout - 11/25

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench (Index on smooth - old style olympic bar) 135x30 185x20 225x20 295x15 295x15
Hammer Decline ss/w Hammer Bench - 3 rotations. Medium Heavy weight. 10 reps per set. Short rests.
Light cable rows.
Abs

Ate and drank too much yesterday. No drive. But there is no guilt, from skipping it. ;)

Hmmm....

It looks like the famed "Inner Circle" guru's sponsor graphic, is missing from the top of the GB page.

Thursday Workout - 11/24

730AM
Lowerback/ab rotation
Shoulder Rehab
Fooled with PDA BLOBETTE. Attached Platemates each set. Nothing to 100%. Hands are starting to feel strong again.
Brookfield Fat Bar rotations.
Homemade Formulator Extensions.

Nothing formal, just screwing around. The past couple of weeks were turning into drudgery. My "Grip CNS" is coming back.

NOTE: I used fuking chalk on all sets. I know of a washed up NFL Strength Coach "Legend" who may be upset. ;)

MUSIC:
Overkill - Necroshine

Thrash at its finest.

Wed Workout - 11/23

530AM
YMCA
Pullups - 50,20 short rest. I do these on an old Nautilus multimachine. The handles are parallel to each other. This reduces any "wrist binding" pain.
Cable Pulls - 3x20 medium weight
Hammer Lat pull - 3 sets up to medium heavy. 12 reps each.
Light shoulder giant set - Hammer Laterals, Hammer presses, light standing presses. No rest. 3 cycles.
Light arms
Abs

Tuesday Night Rehab

I've been playing Quake 4 for over an hour. It works great for improving dexterity.

$650.00 Thick Bar

The "Inner Circle Acolyte" is offering 2.5 inch thick bars. Knurled with revolving sleeves. $650! This will be a test for the grip fruits!

I thought the point of using a thick bar was to emulate the oldtimers, non revolving sleeves, NO knurling. Just the basics.

I will stick with the IM Apollon's Axle. ;)

Time to sit back and enjoy the ass-kissing reviews on our favorite grip forum. ;)

Thursday Workout - 11/22

530AM
Lowerback/ab rotation
Shoulder rehab

Fooled around with block weights. No set routine. Trying to get the staleness out.
Finished with Brookfield fat bar rotations and homemeade formulator extensions.

Kept everything around 80%.

Monday Workout - 11/21

530AM
YMCA
Lats etc still sore from Saturday.
Close Grip Bench (Index Finger on smooth) 135x30 185x20 225x20 275x30 225x30
Hammer Bench, Decline, Incline rotation, 2 sets each, medium heavy weight. Short rests.
Rope Pullovers
Abs

Left shoulder is feeling a bit more secure.

Sunday Night

Lower arms have been sore all day. I may duplicate today's workout tomorrow night and Tuesday morning. Just keep things at 80% for awhile and "grease the groove".

Sunday Workout - 11/20

7AM
Lower Back/Ab rotation
Apollon' Axle Upright rows - 83x10 103x10 123x10 143x10 173x6 183x6
Not balls to the wall, left some in tank.
Fooled around with 1/2 York 80 and Blobette. Blobette filled to 40lbs. The blobette is about 1/8+" wider than Blob50.
Homemade Formulator extensions - 10x15 15x20

Forearms were a bit sore going in, overall I feel a bit beatup. I'm skipping grippers for a while, to get some of the aches out, and I'll just full around with the blocks.

Jeff Lewis 1201 Squat

Here it is:

JEFF LEWIS SQUAT

What is it with

these douchebags who start dispensing training advice in riddles and Mr. Myogi-isms? This seems to be the "modality" with the acolytes of the "Inner Circle Gurus". ;)

It is disturbing to see these hucksters, pull quotes off forums, then add derogatory commentary to be used for insult laden email ad-copy.

Oh well.

Saturday Workout 11/19 - Part 2

YMCA
Cable Face Pulls 3 sets to heavy weight.
Hammer Lower Row - 4 sets working to heavy weight.
Hammer Lat Pull - 3 sets working to heavy weight.
May have been best ever. I won't say what weights, this will drive some GB people nuts. Suffice it to say it was more than most can do. ;)

Medium Bi's, Tris.
Abs

Then snow shoveled water logged leaves down my 100 foot driveway.

Saturday Workout 11/19

GRIP - Waste of time. Nothing was working. I piddled around for about 20 minutes.

Friday Workout - 11/18

NOTE: All close grips are index finger touching smooth.

Up wide awake at 3AM. Who knows.
530AM
YMCA
Shoulder rehab
Close Grip Benches - 135x30 185x20 225x20 275x25 225x30
DB Benches - 3 x 20
Hammer Decline superset/w Hammer Incline 3 cycles - sets of 20.
Cable pullover - 4 sets - medium to heavy.
Abs

Sore today.

Blowhard Strength Coach Legend?

A simple Google search reveals pages of hits. All with the same theme, an incompetent "strength coach".

Cincinnati Post
Pro Football Talk
CNNSI.COM

The Internet is littered with contradictions to this guy's "legendary" status. Now he is trying to pass himself off as a "combat sports" authority?

One needs only to look at the magnificent level of conditioning that the Bengals achieved during the 80's and 90's. ;)

New Computer

I put a BenQ 1640 DVD Burner in. It burns well but refuses to boot any Knoppix etc live DVD's. If I transfer the DVD to another drive it boots fine. I'm going to move the BenQ to a USB external box and use a Lite-On burner internally.

I know this has nothing to do with gripping, except for ruining this morning's workout. ;)

I've installed RedHat Fedora Core 4 on an Intel 945P mobo, with an Intel 640 3.2Ghz CPU. I also tossed in a Leadtek/Nvidia 6600GT PciE video card. Hopefully I can find some time this week to work on Quake 4.

Christ can step off the cross and ask me to install Windows, and I will have to deny him. ;)

Thursday Workout - 11/17

I was up until 1AM putting my new computer together. Then up at 5AM. I should have known better.

530AM
Lower back/Ab rotation
Grip:
Trainerx20
#1xOvercrush
#2xOvercrush
Strap holds
Left - #3 - worked up to a solid 12.5lbs. Then died.
Right - bagged it. Did a few over crushes with the SuperMaster.

Holle-It-Up Dumbbell.
Concentrated on busting from floor a few inches with no tilt.
This fuking thing is slippery. :)

Left - managed a set of 3 with 108lbs.
Right - stayed at 92.5.

All in all, I payed for staying up and boozing and working on the new gaming rig. But there were a few bright spots.

Wed Workout - 11/16

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder rehab
Chinups - 3x20
Hammer Lat Pulls - 3x20 Medium Weight
Hammer Low Row - 2x20
Hammer Soulder Press - 3x20 supersetted w/Hammer Lateral
Light Bi's and Tris
Abs

Forearms a bit achy. Especially with the chinups.

Douche Bag Post of the Day

Seen on the GB:

"Does it matter how the handles are stamped on the #4? My last gripper was the #3 and it had the numbers pointing in the same direction. This one came with the fours pointing in opposite directions. Does this mean anything?"

And this pinhead is serious. He is also implying that he is crushing #4's. The gripworld is littered with these f-nozzles. ;)

Early Morning Workouts

I just a read thread, where there is whining about getting up early and working out. I thought I was reading excerpts from a kindergarten group. Grow the frig up and stop shitting yellow people.

Tuesday Night

Forearms were "achy" all day. This Holle-it-up is hitting at a different angle. Hopefully today will be a good launching point.

Tuesday Workout - 11/15

530AM
LowerBack/Ab Rotation
Same blob workout as Sunday 11/13. Everything was a bit more "solid".
Started Holle-It-Up
The dumbbell weighed in at 8lbs.
Concentrated on just getting it a few inches off floor with no tilt.
88x3 - each hand
98x3 hoovers left - 98x3 fails right
93x3 Left 93x3 Right
95.5x3 Left 95.5 Right (hoovers)
93x3 Left 93x3 Right
Dropset
88x3 Left 88x3 Right.

The handle is huge and slick. This thing is MEAN. The key is to squeeze hard and flex the wrist.

MUSIC:
Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal

Holle-It-Up Arrival

I unpacked and threw 50 pounds on it. I did not weigh the handle. Holy crap. I have my work cut out for me. I read somewhere that the Holles estimate that if you can get 60 kilograms on this you can pick the Inch up. If you grab it in the right spot, it just wants to tear out of your hand.

Hopa!

Holle It Up

According to UPS, it should be at my door after work.

Monday Workout - 11/14

530AM YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Bench - 135x30 185x20 225x20 275x25 225x20
Hammer Bench - Hammer Decline - Medium weight 2 cycles.
Cable pullover - 5 sets. Quick pace. Medium/Heavy Weight.
Cable abs.

Lower arms sore.

Active Recovery Aid

I highly endorse this. My pinkies feel much better. ;)

Eddie Guerrero WWE Wrestler Dead

I just saw that Eddie Guerrero passed this weekend. Sad.

WWE Press Release

He was a hard worker, a great athlete and a great showman.

Sunday Workout 11/13

Lower Back/Ab rotation
Shoulder rehab w/Jumpstretch bands
Right Tuhmb still borked extensionwise
Hands still a bit sore from Thursday and Friday.
Upright Rows w/Apollon's Axle - 5 sets. This hits the hands and
wrists pretty good.
1/2 York 50 - Shoulder rotations.
1/2 York 75 - Shoulder rotations. (I just bend over, hold the weight and make circles. Good shoulder rehab).
Practice popping off floor aim for 1-3" pull. For me this is the hardest part. Hands are a shade under 7.5"
PlateMate Magnets used to add weight
Left Hand 1/2 York 80 +10x3 , +12.5x3 , +13.75x3 , 14.375x3 , +15x3
Right Hand BLOB50 +1.25x3 , +2.5x3 , +3.125x3 , +3.75x3 , +5x3
1/2 York 80 weighs 42lbs
Blob50 weighs 51.5

Towel Rollups - 2 bouts.
Homemade Formulator extension - 11.25x23
Apollon Axle Brookfield Rotations - Norest drop sets.

Lower arms fried.

MUSIC:
Exodus - Fabulous Disaster

Thrash Legends.

Shilling

I am getting weary of the weekly shilling of a certain forearm gadget on the "grip" forums.

It is like tuning into the "Shop at Home Network" every night. ;)

EDIT: It seems to be daily now.

Saturday Workout 11/12

YMCA
Shoulder Rehab
Hammer lat pulls - 5 sets working toward heavy weight.
Cable pulls - 5 sets medium weight
Shoulder Press, Hammer Lateral, Hammer Press - giant set - 2 cycles.
Light Arms
Abs

I may have set a PR on that Lat machine.
I don't want to say too much, or some may demand video proof. ;)

50 Rep Challenge - #2

The video was posted of the 50 rep challenge. I have to hand it to this cat. He got 200 reps over 4 or 5 sets, ending with 48 and some close #3 attempts in between. Nice work.

Now we wait for the "cliq" to wake up, and give their reviews. ;)

Free EMail Addresses

What is up with some of these pinheads who do not allow you to use a free email address like Yahoo, to register on a forum? I have been using Yahoo for years. It is good enough for my bank, my credit card companies, amazon.com the IRS, the DMV, and my mother. Get off your fuking high horses and get with the times.

Or having to register with your "real name", are they doing a friggin background check on me? How do they check if it's real?

The Internet has truly redefined "moron".

;)

Saturday Morning - 5AM

Lower arms aching. Getting back in "isometric hold" form with the strap is tough.

Bench Press Record?

I just looked at a "Guru's" page. 220 pound class, 407 pound bench. This is a record? National Champion? At 36 years old? He sells this as "middle aged"?

No wonder the "dinosaurs" are extinct. ;)

Active Recovery

I'm in the process of finishing off the remaining Yuenglings in my fridge. Arms from the elbows down are fried. The beer seems to be helping. :)

Fatigue

Joe Kinney warned not to work wrists on the day before crush. He was right. ;)

I need to wait before I can handle a fork.

Friday Workout - 11/11 - GRIP

Right Thumb STILL borked.
Afternoon. I may have to take care of something tomorrow, so I squeezed a grip workout in today. Hands and wrists were still a bit sore from yesterday. I can confirm that training wrists on the day before crush does have a negative impact.

Trainerx20
#1 x 1 OverCrush
#2 x 1 OC

Strap holds. IronMind Strap and Iron Mind Olympic Loading Pin. Loading Pin weighs about 5 pounds. Loading pin weight not counted below.

Right Hand - SuperMaster x 5lbs x5lbs x5-5/8lbs x5-5/8lbs
Left Hand - #3 x5lbs x5-5/8 lbs x6.25lbs x6.25lbs

Not bad for an off day. This #3 is fairly stout. 11.25lbs total.

1 Hand Go-Really Grip Machine - 2x6 under slide.
Right - 145x1 170+Wx4 155x5
Left - 145x1 190+Wx4 170x5
W = 5/8lb washer.

1 Hand TTK - Fingers on top.
7.5lbs x 10
15lbs x 10
17.5lbs x 10

Homemade formulator extension - 10lbs x 31
TOAST.

Bit fatigued from yesterday, but I have a starting point.

Friday Workout - 11/11

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder rehab with tiny dumbbells
Close Grip Bench - 135x20 185x20 225x20 275x20 225x20
Light DB benches - 3x20
Hammer Bench - Hammer Decline - superset 2 cycles
Hammer Low Row - 4 sets to heavy weight
Hammer Hi-Row - 4 sets to heavy weight

It is getting more difficult to get started this early in combination with the colder weather.

Inner Circle?

What the frig is up with all these "Inner Circle" hucksters and their insulting email ad copy?

More like "Inner Circle Jerkoffs"

I'll keep my business with Elitefts and Ironmind

They get their grippers in the mail in 24 hours also.

Flame off.

;)

Thursday Feeder/Recovery

2inch shot rotation, palm down - 3 minutes per hand.

Thursday Workout - 11/10

530AM
Right thumb is still borked, extension wise. :(
Lowerback/ab rotation
Jumpstretch shoulder rehab.
Apollon Axle Upright rows - 4 sets - 10-20 reps. Medium weight.
York Block work
Shoulder rotations with 1/2 Yorks 50 and 75. Good warmup, also more shoulder rehab.
Left Hand - 1/2 York 80 (Weighs 42lbs) - Concentrated on just getting off floor to 2". Used Platemate magnets to add weight.
+10 lbs, +11.25lbs, +12.5lbs, +13.125lbs. Sets of 3.
Right Hand - Same as above but using BLOB50
+5/8, +1.25, +2.5, +3.125 - sets of 3.

Towel Rollups - 2 bouts. Used some good weight.
Homemade Formulator extensions - 10lbsx15 15lbsx15 dropset 10x12
Apollon Axle rotations - 1 bout.

Could not close a #2 past half after this.

More on the 50 Reps

I just saw that a witness is lined up to film a GB member's attempt at 50 reps with the #2. I'm betting on 54.

Good luck!

New Number 2

I picked up another Captains of Crush #2. The new shiny spring was calling to me. I'm going to move it between my car and the living room. I may start a "grease the groove" campaign with it. I need to work up a plan to include the Holle-It-Up, crush and some pinch. It looks like the Holle dumbbell will get here next Monday.

Deadlifts - 970 vs. 725 - Greatest of all time?

Bob Peoples opened the door to modern deadlifting by pulling 725 years ago. But records were made to be broken. Ask Don Reinhoudt (get well), the late Doyle Kenady etc. As of now the greatest deadlifter is Benni. Case closed. I cannot believe some of the remarks on this guys accomplishment.

My advice for the "oldtimer" worshippers, is to get on a sedative, because this guy is hitting a grand.

50 Reps With the Number 2 Gripper

This crap comes up once a month. Having done this, I believe it and move on.
Some will blindly take advice from an "Inner Circle" apostle, yet doubt someone who got off his armchair to kick some ass.

This is not that big of a deal. I find it is easier to increase reps after working at it for a short while. It's like doing pushups. When you first start you are struggling to do 6, a month later you are banging out sets of 50.

The forum debates get a little pedantic after awhile.

WED Feeder Workout - 11/9

530AM
YMCA
Got up sore all over. I can predict the weather by how I get up.
Shoulder Rehab
Chins - 3x20 - 1 Minute rests. Easy.
Hammer Machines - Lat Pull, LowRow - 3 Cycles. Fast pace
Cable Rows - 3 sets
Hammer Laterals + Hammer Press - 3 cycles - Fast Pace
Olympic Bar reverse curls + Hammer Preacher - 3 cycles - Fast Pace
Some other odds and ends.

Josh Bryant Videos

Some great stuff here:

JOSH

Scroll down to see the recent Alantis Challenge Stuff. The overhead is incredible.

Tuesday Afternoon

Lower arms sore most all day. For some reason the extensors are sore again. I have a feeling it is the towel rolls and fat bar rotations.

Tuesday Workout - 11/8

530AM
Lowerback ab rotation
Jumpstretch band should rehab.
Right Thumb knuckle is still swollen. Extension is coming back, but it is SLOW.
GRIP
Hands and forearms sore going into this one.
Block weights (all Yorks)
1/2 50, 1/2 75 , 1/2 80 - 5 full pulls each.
Tough getting warmed up.
Concentrate on breaking off floor 2" , additional weights are PlateMate magnets
Left 1/2 80 + 10 x3
Left 1/2 80 + 10-5/8 x3
Left 1/2 80 + 10-1.25 x3
Right BLOB50 +5/8 x3
Right BLOB50 +1.25 x3
Right BLOB50 +1.25+5/8 x3

Blob50 pulls were tough could not get hand positioned right. Most in the 1/2"+ range. That extra weight is murder.

Towel Rolls - 2 bouts
Apollon Fat Bar Rotation - 1 bout

This was a tough one to get started and get through.

MUSIC:
Cryptopsy - Once Was Not

KILOGRAMS

People:

1 Kilogram = 2.20462262 pounds
not
2.2 pounds.

Ahh the power of Google. ;)

Interesting Quote

I just saw this on Josh Bryant's forum:

"I think grip tests are sort of a joke for the most part because of all of the guys that bench 300 but can close the number 3. However, if it is to be contested I will get good at it." (I think he meant can't bench 300)

Be sure to work your whole body. Training is grip is fun, but Popeye looks like a deformed concentration camp victim ;)

Josh also has credentials, his raw bench is on of the best on the planet.

Benni Deadlift Video

WOW! This guy will do 1000!

Benni Video WPO

It is in AVI format, I know some of you windoze people may have to download something to play it.

Chalk Peeve

Well the monthly debate over using chalk seems to be in full swing. Who gives a flying rat's ass. If you don't want to use it, don't. Stop wasting bandwidth. It is good an humorous when a guru throws their advice in. ;)

970 POUND DEADLIFT

Benni did it!

IRONMIND NEWS

So much for the armchair guys critiquing his form. ;)

Monday Workout - 11/7

530AM YMCA
Woke up sore all over.
Shoulder Rehab
Close Grip Benches - 135x30 185x30 225 - 3x30
Hammer Bench Machines - 2 cycles through 3 machines. Hi reps.
Gironda Pulls - 3 sets
Abs
Standing Finger curls with olympic bar. Light weight. Hands pumped up fast.

A storm passed through last night, so I was sore all day and this morning. Hands feel a bit spent.

Copyright?

What is it with some of these ass wipes who "copyright" their forum postings? Stay off the board and sell your friggin' book. I won't be buying. ;)

Chokers

For some reason I cannot use these on the grippers. I tried today, choking down an Elite to parallel, but all it does is destroy the knuckle on my middle finger. You would think I learned after 2 years. :O

Holle It Up

I just ordered the dumbbell. I need a change up.

Sunday Post Workout

Hands are toast. Sore from the elbows down. I should buy stock in Jack's Blue Heat. Extensors especially sore.

Sunday Workout - 11/6

Lower Back Ab rotation
Shoulder Rehab w/Jumpstretch Bands
Upright row w/Apollon's Axle 4 sets 10 reps each
Fooled around with 1/2 York 80 and Blob50. Hands were toasted from yesterday, so I just threw PlateMate magnets on and concentrated on breaking an inch from the floor.
Homemade Formulator extensions - 10x12 17.5x6 12.5x20 fried. The leverage is incredible.
Towel Roll - 1 set
Brookfield Fat bar rotations - 3 drop sets, both directions.

MUSIC:
Necrophagist - Onset of Putrefaction

How death metal should be done.

Holle It Up

I'm thinking of getting the "Holle It Up" dumbbell from Ironmind. I need a bit of a change up. I have a set of 2inch dumbbells that I added PVC pipe to, that got them up to a hair under 2.5". The "cam" action may be worth it. I'd like to get an Inch Replica, but that seems excessive.

Saturday Workout Feeder Recovery

2inch shot rotation. 2 minutes per hand. Hands puffy.

Saturday Workout - 11/5 - Grip

Trainerx20
#1x 1 OverCrush
#2 x 1 OC

Left - 1/4 inch filed #3 - 5 sets 12 reps - all reps let out to parallel or a tad more. - 60 reps total - best ever. Can't touch, but getting all reps beyond the range. I will never file this much off again.
Right - Speed Closes + overcrush - SuperMaster 11 singles. If I use a #3, thumb knuckle still gets irritated. This may be a long recovery.
Towel Roll - 2 bouts. Weight is going up.
Homemade Formulator extensions - 10 lbs 3x10
Fingers On top TTK - 3x10

MUSIC:
Pentagram - Be Forewarned
The Godfathers of DOOM!

Saturday Workout - 11/5

Lowerback/ab rotation
YMCA 8AM
Only had 30 minutes, partner had to get on road early.
Circuit session
Hammer lat pull, Hammer Row Hi-Row, Hammer Low-Row - 3 cycles 15-20 reps each set, increase in weight each cycle.
Shoulders - light presses, Hammer Lateral, Hammer Press - 3 cycles - reps same as above.
Rope Curls ss with Hammer Machine Curls - 3 cycles - same reps
Rope Tris
Abs

Fast Pace. Handled some good weight on lat work, considering shooort rest periods.

Curious - Peeve

What is with questions on forums with the "just curious" tag? If you are asking a fuking question, you must be curious.

Stop doing it, it's insulting. I will NEVER respond. ;)

This is almost on par with the "I'd appreciate" tag. ;)

Lemley Gripper

If you are interested in a "left hand" wound gripper, here is a link to a Lemley. From what I know the quality can vary, but any thing can be fixed with some JB Weld epoxy.

LEMLEY

:)

I just saw this on a forum:

"As far as grip stuff... I have thickbars... that's as far as I'll go grip-wise. All the people I've run into who are big into grip strength have lost their goddamn minds, save maybe Diesel Crew."

Some do get a little out of control.

Friday Feeder Recovery

2inch Shot rotation. 2 minutes per hand. Hands still a bit puffy from yesterday.

Friday Workout 11/4

530AM
YMCA
Shoulder rehab
Close Grip Benches. (Index finger touching smooth) 135x30 185x30 225x30 225x50 Good burn. I'm staying here, shoulder is getting better, no sense in getting stoopid.
Hammer Bench machines (3 machines) 2 rounds. Light-Medium Weight.
Hammer Row - 3 sets light, hi rep
Rope pullovers 3 sets light
Abs
I'll hit back harder tomorrow.

Hands still a bit "puffy" from yesterday.

Like Clockwork

Well it's been a month, and someone is asking to buy an easy #3 gripper. ;)
Psss Get a SuperMaster. ;)

Thursday Feeder/Recovery Workout

Shot rotation. 2inch shots. 2 Minutes each hand. Worked the kinks out. I need to make this a habit.

Thurs Workout 11/3

530AM
Lower Back Ab rotation
Shoulder rehab with Jumpstretch bands
Apollon's Axle Upright rows 4 sets 10-20 reps 73lbs to 133lbs. Medium, do not want to push shoulder.
1/2 York 80 + 10lbs of magnets (52lbs total) - Right Hand, concentrated on breaking from floor to about 4 inches. 5 sets 5 reps
Left Hand - same as above but 5lbs added.
Not balls to ball. I'm finding out it is too easy to go overboard with the wide stuff.
Towel Rollups - 4 bouts
Apollon Axle Rotation - 3 sets
Homemade Formulator Extension - 10lbsx10 , 12.5x20 dropset 10x4

Hands swollen when done. Moved quickly about 35 minutes.

MUSIC:
Rammstein - Sehnsucht

WED Feeder Workout - 11/2

Shot rotation, palms down, 2inch shots. 2 Minutes each hand. Seems to be working the kinks out of the right thumb.

Musings

Someone pointed this out on the Sherdog Forums:

******************
Forbidden Topics!!!!

"Discussions on Matt Furery or other blowhards - If you believe that high rep endurance is the key to success in fighting, what are you doing in a strength and power forum? Use the search function to see if your particular scam artist has been discussed already."
******************

Read the rest HERE

Nice ;)

WED Workout - 11/2

YMCA
530AM
Tired today. Had a difficult time getting started.
Shoulder Rehab - pinky up laterals
Chins - 3x20 (I weigh 230)
Gironda Pulls - 3x20
Hammer Lat Pull - 3x20
Hammer Seated Press - 3x20
Hammer Lateral - 3x20
Reverse Curls
Rope extensions
Abs

Lower Arms a bit sore. Right Thumb still stiff, Left shoulder still has a bit of "looseness"

Feeder Workout

Shot Rotation - 2" Steel Shots. Palms down. 100 reps each. Worked bad thumb pretty good. I need to do these more often.

Kung Fu Grip

Here is a grip article that hits the basics. I like the towel chins.

Developing A Kung-Fu Grip

Grippermania Store

George at Grippermania has launched at CafePress. Check it out.

Grippermania Store - FEEL THE STEEL

Nice shirts! I see my winter wardrobe developing.

Tuesday Workout - 11/1

530AM
Lower Back Ab rotation
Shoulder rehab with Jumpstretch bands
GRIP:
Right Thumb still sore and stiff. Improvement is a tiny bit each day.
TRAINER x 20
Did Deadlifts with 1/2 York 80. Alternating hands with little rest for about 10 minutes. Had a hard time getting hands to wake up today.
After this bout, it was apparent that hands were still a bit worn from the weekend.
Towel Rollups - 4 bouts
Homemade Formulator Extensions - 10lbs x 27
Brookfield Fat Bar Rotations - started off with top weight and decreased for 5 sets. No rest.

MUSIC:
Swallow the Sun - The Morning Never Came

Great Death/Doom from Finland.

Another Grip Article

I just found this old bookmark:

Dragondoor Grip

Note the homemade wood TTK.

Pruning

I just spent 30 minutes pruning a bunch of crap bushes behind my garage. That is sufficient for tonights grip "feeder" workout. ;) Hands are toast.

WPO SEMI's Heavyweight Results

I just saw these results posted at Gibsons'. Incredible! 1200 pound squat!

RESULTS - PDF FORMAT

Good to see Chuck V place well.

Knock-Offs

Who gives a flying frig if someone builds a knock off of a device? Brookfield's books are full of do it yourself advice.

If the commercial implement is high quality and a fair price I am in. But some of the items out there are a little nutty with the pricing. And come on, 60 bucks for a blue handled gripper?

Monday Workout - 10/31

530AM - YMCA
Still nursing shoulder.
Plate Circles
Close Grip Benches - concentrating on tucking elbows - 135x30 185x30 225 3x30
Hammer Machines supersetted with Hammer Rows. No rest, moderate weight, 15-25 reps on everything.
Abs, and cable stuff.

Lower arms sore today. I need to prune some shrubs tonight, that may be the feeder workout.

Another Excellent Homemade Formulator

Check out the Fight Training Site. He just posted photos of his device.

CLICK HERE

Great stuff!

Driveway Sealer

Did whole drive with one hand on the squeegey thing. I just alternated back and forth. I need to get a 2 inch handle on it. Then I will patent it so no one can copy it. ;)

Jack's Blue Heat time.

Sweeping

I need to put some sealer on a section of my driveway. I just push broomed
100 feet by 11 feet. Big mistake after the workout. Hands are useless now.

Sunday Workout - 10/30

Hands were sore and fatigued from yesterday.

Lowerback/Ab rotation
Shoulder rehab with Jumpstretch Bands.

Grip
Trainer x 20
#1 x 1 OverCrush
#2 x 1 OC
1/4" Filed #3 - Left OC and hold, got it deep but no touch
Right bit beyend the range + hold.

York 1/2 80
3 DLs each hand
Blob50 Index finger press
Left - x1 , x1+1.25lbs , x1+1.875lbs ,x1/2 + 2.5lbs
Right - x1 , x1+2.5lbs , x1/2 + 3.125lbs x 1/2 + 3.125

All full lifts had 3 second hold at top. I didn't relize how much crush I did yesterday until I did these.

Homemade Formulator extensions - 10LBs x 25 (to get soreness out)
Towel Rollups - 2 bouts. Big improvement in weight from last week.

Twist yo Wrist 2 laps
Fatbar rotations (Brookfield Grip tip) - 4 sets - These hit the lowerarms hard, especially at the end of the woorkout.

MUSIC:
Aborted - The Archaic Abattoir

Musings

I see that posting photos of "knock-offs" is being discouraged on one of the forums. I guess the homemade formulators got someone in a tizzy.

Fug it, make them anyway. Wrist curls are NOT PATENTABLE.

Judo Grip Blurb

I can't get any simpler than this:

Judo Info Grip

Strongman Link

Check Joshua Davis' page out. Great videos and a nice DIY link. He also appears to be a Linux user ;)

DAVIS

Whoaa.

I am sore. I am toying with the idea of only hitting grippers on the weekend. The rest of the workouts will be wide pinch, towel rolls and wrist work. The homemade formulator will be a cornerstone for now.

The past week off may have convinced me.

Don't throw money away, tinker a bit and make your own wrist training device. Use the money you save to buy a fat bar etc. Or pay your bills off. ;)

Castanet?

I just read a certain "hucksters" web site. He claims that selling the White Sox a few grippers was their ticket to the World Series. I have read enough fecal dribble for the week now.

Saturday Workout #2

YMCA 930AM
Shoulder(s) ReHab
Rope Face Pulls - 5 sets 20
Giranda 45 degree pulls
Rope pullovers

Light presses, lateral superset

Reverse Curls with EZ curl bar
Rope Triceps
Abs

Saturday Workout - 10/29

7AM
Lower Back Ab rotation.
Grip
Trainerx20
#1x1 OverCrush
#2x1 OC
Left Hand - 1/4" filed #3 - 10,10,10,10,10 Beyond the range cant quite touch. I do not want to get in the habit of setting very deep. Reps were about 1 inch give or take a tad.
Right Hand - SuperMaster - Speed OverCrushes 10 singles.

Homemade Formulator Extensions - 5 sets going from 5lbs to 17.5 down to 12.5. Quick pace reps went from 20 to 5.

Towel Rollups - 2 Bouts

Hands toasted.

Highest Number #3 rep volume ever.

Grip Article at EliteFTS

Dave Tate's Excellent EliteFTS just threw up a grip training article:

ELITEFTS-GRIP

Vinny Dizenzo 585 Raw Bench Training Video

Here is a cool video of powerlifter Vinny Dizenzo benching 585 with a t-shirt.

BENCH

Cool stuff.

Home Made Formulator Bug Is Biting

I see some more people are firing together their own formulators! We are legion. I predict the IronMind list will be growing soon.

Just remember, put the money you save on your mortgage. I'm estimating about $160.00 should do it.
;)

Observation

All this extension work and towel rolling have hit my lower arms hard. It is tough to believe that this week has been a deload week. The EZ Curl reverse wrist curls definitely helped give me a base strength with the formulator.

I am convinced that you need to work the forearms hard. The gain in stabilization, especially with crushing, will become apparent after a few weeks.

We Are Wasting Too Much Time

As if we needed a study for this:

Blogs on the job: US workers waste millions of hours online

Get your bills paid and the grass cut before you fuk around on the web. ;)

Friday Workout 10/28

YMCA 530AM
Plate rotations for shoulders.
Close Grip Benches - Elbows tucked - 135x100 185x30 225x20 225x20
Light Hammer Flat and decline benches - 2 sets of 20 each, supersetted with Hammer row - sets of 20.
Giranda 45degree pulls.
Shoulder still tricky, stay at this level for awhile. No sense getting stupid.

Forearms and hands are "puffy", today will be an off day.

Baraban Video

R. Baraban has a cool video on his web page. He is showing off the gold plated GGC 2005 gripper.

Handgripper.net

Thick Bar Rotation

I have worked these in on and off over the past year. Great to do with the Apollon's or any fat bar.

Brookfield Thick Bar Rotation

Thomas Inch - Fraud?

There is considerable debate about Thomas Inch's film clip here:

British Pathe

Type in Tom Inch in the search box. Look for the clip called "Inch-By-Inch".
It is obviously not 100% legit. But he is clearly in the waning years of his strength performing career, and he is making a living off of his courses. Failure would not be an option in this clip. He had credentials when younger, and was indeed strong, I have no doubt.

Read more about him here:

INCH

What he did give us, was that friggin dumbbell that every grip nut dreams of picking up, and that's a good thing.

Thursday Feeder Workout

I ran thorugh some shoulder rehab with the Jumpstretch bands and plate circles. Then 1 high rep set on the formulator extenstions. 2 bouts on light towel rollups, and 3 laps of the Twist-yo-Wrist. It got some of the soreness out. Bad thumb is still stiff, but the towell work seems to be making it work it out.

SORE

My forearms and hands have been sore since this morning. I added a bit of weight to the towel rollups and sort of pushed the formulator. It is hitting me hard now.

If you are not doing these exercises - you should be.

Thurs Workout 10/27

Lowerback/Ab rotation.
Upright Rows with Apollon's Axle. Sets of 10-20 reps. Light to medium weight.
Jumpstretch Bands for rotators.
Plate circles.

The rows with the Apollon's warmes the hands up.

5 sets of extensions, on the homemade Formulator. Worked up to 12.5lbs. This was brutal, since the leverage is so great. Good full range of motion. The heavy partials with the EZ curl bar definately built a base here.

EZ Curl Wrist curls: 67x50 87x50 107x50

Towel Rollups - 4 bouts with weight.

Trainer - 50 reps each hand.

Tonight I will run through a light feeder workout.

MUSIC:
Over Kill - Horrorscope
Excellent Thrash from the New Jersey oldtimers.

My Home Training Partner

She does not help much. She mostly just sits by the fan.

Chain Drug Stores

What is it with the long lines in these friggin drugstores? The CVS is packed and there is one cashier, and she can't do anything because there is always someone in there who needs the fukin touch screen explained on the self serve digital photo machine. Then everyone in front of me needs to write a check for a 3 dollar purchase. That is a half hour of my life I will never get back. ;)

Wed Night Feeder Workout

Shoulder re-hab - Plate rotations, JumpStretch Bands. This crap is making my shoulders sore, in a good way.

Homemade Formulator - 1 High rep set.
Towel Rollups - 2 bouts. This is helping the still sore right thumb.

I'm firing up a cigar and taking the dog out.

WED Workout - 10/26

YMCA 530AM. Started with a pile of rotator cuff stuff with the cables. Then light latpulls, cable rows, lateral raises light bi's and tri's. Shoulder is feeling more stable, but I'm staying the course for another week or 2.
All sets 20+reps.

Forearms along with hands, muscularly sore from the formulator and towel rolls. I will hit another few rounds after work.

Tuesday PM Workout

I did some Junpstretch band stuff for the bum shoulder. Then did 1 high rep set of reverse extensions on the homemade formulator. This helped get some of the soreness out from this morning. Then a few bouts of towel rollups. Dexterity improved a bit more, but hands pumped up fast.

The house stinks of Jack's Blue Heat now.

Tuesday Workout - 10/25

530AM. Started with lower back ab rotation then shoulder re-hab. I worked in some upright rows with the Apollons Axle for sets of 20, plate circles and some stuff with the Jumpstretch bands. Moderate resistance a lot of reps.

Then Grip:

Trainer 2x20

Homemade Formulator extensions - 5 sets, 20 reps down to 10. Weights from 5lbs to 11.25. The weight is far from my wrist so any increase is magnified greatly.

Towel Rollups - 4 bouts. Dexterity greatly improved from Sunday. Whole hand gets pumped.

Twist Yo' Wrist - 3 laps

EZ Curl Wrist Curl - 67x100

Totally hosed.

MUSIC:
Behemoth - Thelema.6
Brutal Blackened Death Metal from Poland

Towel Rollups and Thumbs

I've done 2 bouts with the formulator extensions and towel rollups today. My thumbpad and webbing have been pumped and achy all day. It hits the muscles hard, but does not seem to wipe out the tendons the way the grippers do.

I grabbed the Trainer gripper, immediately after a bout, and had a tough time closing it. :O

Monday Workout - 10/24

Hit YMCA at 530 AM. Left Shoulder is flagging a message. The message is do not be a dumbass. I did plate rotations for 5 minutes then light close grip benches to see how it felt. I hit 135 for 5 sets of 50. It was light but I'm staying here for a while. I then hit the cables for face pulls and standing pullovers. I used a rope handle for both to get the extra range. Did about 6 or 7 sets each 20+ reps. This got a lot of blood into the shoulders. Then more plate rotations.

At home I did a set on the homemade formulator of reverse wrist curls, then 2 sets of towel rollups. I will do more after work. This is an excellent time for a rehab/deload week since my shoulder is borked.

More Rollups

I could not resist. I ran through another couple of bouts with the homemade formulator and the rollups. I think the stumbling block with the rollups is coordination/dexterity when first starting. Even though my hands are tired, they seem a bit easier and smoother than this afternoon.

Rollups and Extensors

I ran through some supersets with the homemade formulator and towel rollups. I am this || close to doing these all week to give everything a break.

Left shoulder is sore from the mishap this morning, I've been doing some plate circles it seems to be workling itself out. I'm going to go light on all upper body stuff this week. I want to get in position to cruse into my 24th month of this grip crap (Thanksgiving give or take a few days.)

Time for a big glass of fortissimo.

Home Made Formulator

I made a trip to Home Depot and grabbed what I needed. Everyone should build one. I fired off a few quick sets with it. I could not pick up a glass of water afterwards.

I thank Anson from the GB for posting a photo of his.

Now get to work people!

More Towel Rollups

I just did a few more bouts with these cursed things. Right after I tried to close a #2 and could not get it to within 1/4". Holy crap. It feels like the WHOLE hand is working at the same time. Extensors also.

I may just do these for the whole week. I'm still up in the air.

Sunday Workout - 10/23

LowerBack/Ab rotation, then seated presses. Had a freak accident and dumped the bar behind me. Shoulders are wrenched. But no burning or numbness.

Tried some wide pinch etc, but after dumping the bar I was too stressed. So I piddled around with the construction of my homemade Formulator.

I then started towel rollups. I'm using a hand towel. For weight I am using 2 Platemate magnets on the opposite corner of my hand. Did a few laps back and forth with 1.25lbs, then moved to 2.5. 2.5 is HARD. Hands get extremely pumped from this. I'm going to try this every few hours. It may just be the change I need.

Now time for Naproxen. :(

Towel Rollups - Thumb Re-Hab

I'm going to work these in to get the blood into my borked thumb. I think a good sized Vice Grip may be the easiest way to get some resistance without cutting a hole in the towel and piddling with hooks and plates.

Whenever you are looking for something new, reread the John Brookfield books or peruse his stuff on the IronMind site.

Karl Gotch - Matt Furey

I just dug out this bookmark, Legendary wrestler Karl Gotch, calls out Matt Furey as a con man. I'm siding with Karl on this one. ;)

Read his letter HERE on Scientific Wrestling's Page.

Saturday Workout #2

Had some time to kill. Went up the YMCA. Did heavy Hammer Rows, heavy Hammer pulldowns and then moderate cable stuff.

Hands felt pretty good on the rowing/pull stuff.

Saturday Workout - 10/22

Went to work 5AM-7AM.
Started about 745AM with lowerback/ab rotation
Right Thumb still borked. Bit improvement on movement.
GRIP
Trainerx10
#1x10
#2x1 OC
RIGHT - SuperMaster - 11 Fast Singles with overcrushes. Thumb not as irritated today.
LEFT - 1/4 Inch Filed #3 6 Sets of 7 - No touch but BTR, most reps let out 1+ inches.

Go REALLY Grip Machine - 2x6underslide - slide weight not included
Right 145x1 192.5x4+1 neg hold - hard, had to hump a bit.
Left 145x1 172.5x4+1neg hold - hard but solid.

TTK Pinch Grip - 30x30

Workout took 29 minutes

MUSIC:
Old Man's Child - Vermin
Galder of Dimmu Borgir's side project.

Wake Up Call

I had the furnace guy come to the house (He did great work). He picked up my half of York 80 (42pounds) and nearly closed my SuperMaster! His hands and wrists looked the part. I need to get out and help clean furnaces!

Well it was the wake up call that I needed to take it to the next level.

Baseline Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer

If you like to throw money at grip toys, I have read some pretty good reviews of this DYNO at Wisdom King.

This One is Truly A Classic

This has elevated gripdom to a whole new level.

Another TMS Classic

A copy of this hangs in my cellar.

The Golden Age

I was cleaning up my drive, and found some stuff from the legendary TMS threads at Fortified Iron. This guy truly had a gift. Good luck wherever you are. Sometimes "gripsters" take themselves too seriously.

I will dig around more, and post as I found them. His "Modern Grip - A Critique" should be required reading.

A pile of Powerlifting Links

Check this page out of you want a neat list of PL LINKS.

Friday Workout 10/21

YMCA - 530AM.

Close Grip Benches, light DB benches, Hammer chest work and some light cable stuff.

Forearms and thumbpads sore from yesterday. I think wearing the fingers out crushing, before pinching makes the thumb work much harder. You struggle, and cannot pinch as much, but it's worth it. Set your ego aside.

No radio today, we were too lazy to plug it in. ;)

Interesting Thought

I recently ready a post by ClayEdgin. Something like - when my overall body strength is up, my grip goes up with it.

This is excellent advice. Even though my lower back is messed up, I still hit what I can hard, and the grip is moving right along with it.

I am convinced your whole arm and shoulder needs to be strong to stabilize. Especially during crush.

Just a thought.

QUAKE IV Linux CLIENT!

If you are a grip strength nerd, skip your workout. The Quake IV linux client is out now. Go to LinuxGames for download info. If you use the torrent be sure to give some bandwidth back.

Remember, this is just the client. You still need to pick the game up for the pak files.

More Crap

I have noticed that many of the "flames" on the grip forums are usually two "religous" people going at it. Or a "holier than thou" lecturing an infidel. Take the mythical being discussions elsewhere and settle the fuk down.

;)

Thursday Workout 10/20

Started at about 5AM with lowerback/ab rotation. Then moved to seated presses. Then grip. I felt a little "flat" going into this.
Right Thumb is still stiff and sore, but sting is gone. This may take a few more weeks. :O

Note Filed #3 has 1/4" filed
Tx10
#1x10
Right - #2 14 speed singles + overcrushes.
Left - Filed #3 (not touch but well into BTR) 6 sets of 6
Hands are toasted. It took some concentration to get through this.
1/2 York 80
1 Deadlift each hand
Blob50 index finger press.
4 singles each hand, hold at top 3-5 seconds.
The crush makes wide pinch extremely hard, but I think it's paying off.

EX curl Reverse wrist curls + EZ curl wrist curls. No rest between
sets. Used 67lbs. 10 reps for reverse/20 reps for regular. 5 cycles.

Workout took 29 minutes.

MUSIC:
Reverend Bizzare - Crush the Insects
This is great old style heavy DOOM.

MORE HOME MADE STUFF

This cat has been at it awhile. Check out the cool stuff. For the price of one Formulator you can fill your garage with some great stuff.

FIGHTRAINING

Now get yourself to Home Depot and the junkyard!

Mendy and MonsterMuscle

I just saw that Scott M and the publishers of MonsterMuscle are airing a dispute on all the PL forums. Apparently Scott was supposed to give an interview and disclose his raw bench routine. Then he bailed on them. I guess they left his cover up, but NO routine. Who knows what the truth is. I sort of lean towards the magazine.

Mike MacDonald is still the best. ;)

Go over to the Monster Muscle forums to see Scott's ALL CAPS POST.

Legend?

It saddens me, when I see one of the old-timers, continually remind every one that his "old blob" was the hardest to pick up and your fat hex or newer blob is not what he had to do.

Come'on, we know you are one of the best. No need to be reminded. And it is okay if someone comes along who is better. That is what records are for.

Oh well.

A couple of cool honest PL forums.

These two forums, tell it like it is, and have raised trolling to an art form.

Fannon's Grow or Die
Gibson's

Lectures

I get a chuckle, when some self-important "youngun" lectures about old time strength, hard work, respect etc. Then at the same time they moderate a board with a "Chemical Enhancement" forum.

Or the skinny kid, lecturing about 940lb deadlift form.

Take a break and when your nuts drop, resume posting. ;)

WED Workout - 10/19

Went to the YMCA for 530AM. I ran through chinups, heavy lat pulldowns on the Hammer machine, light shoulder work, reverse EZ curls and some rope tricep stuff. I was a little beatup from Monday and yesterday.

Thumb is still stiff, but no sting as compared to last week.

Musicwise, it is only the "Oldies" up there. ;)

Browsers!

I noticed in the stats here that over 50% of you are using FIREFOX. Excellent! Let's hope the rest smarten up. ;)

BATMAN!

I just checked, UPS will be delivering the Batman DVD within the hour!

Thank you BOB KANE!

Setting vs NoSetting

Again, WHO GIVES A SHIT. If you want to get certed with Ironmind, you need to practice the "credit card set", if you want the GB cert, you need to practice the parallel set. Either one requires balls out strength depending on the gripper and cert etc. Work hard and stop fuking whining about this once a month on either board. Post something useful.

The Ironmind list is still growing, all the recent certs ARE not by people with 9 inch hands.

I think all this Naproxen is making me cantankerous. ;)

Deadlifts + Benching + RANT

I just saw some idiot complaining about Benni's deadlift FORM. I will take his form if it gets me to 940!

I am also fed up with the pinheads who claim Ed Coan cannot close a #2, stop the bullshit. His deadlift credentials say he has a good grip. DO NOT THINK
for 1 second if you can close a #3 you are anywhere near him in ANY department of strength, unless you are Brent Mikesell ;)

Also Big GENE had some trouble with 1015. I don't care if he wore a shirt. He has BALLS of steel handling that kind of weight. If you care about equipment and what it is doing to powerlifting, get fuking involved in the sport. Don't pontificate.

Personally I think Mike MacDonald was the best bencher of all time. I'm showing my age. ;)

Tuesday Workout - 10/18

Right thumb slowly getting better, but still stiff and limited range. Although the range is better.

Started with lower back/ab rotation, then seated presses.
I do all press work at home with the 2" bar. My hands started to
get tired in the pressing.

Then grip.
Trainerx10
#1x5
#2x1Overcrush
Right - #2 - 12 singles - Speed closes, plus over crush. Cannot go higher as thumb gets irritated.
Left - Filed #3 - 5x5 - Each rep let out to about 1"-1.25"
At this point the double workout over the weekend made itself known.

TTK - 25x30 25x30

Half York 80
2 full DL's each. Crush totally wipe me out.
Blob50 Index press.
L x1/4 x1/4 x1/4 - Hopeless
R x1 x1 x1 - 3+second holds at top.


MUSIC:
Hate Eternal - I, Monarch

Brutal Shit!

Fug This - Gripper Ramblings

What the hell is with these overpriced colored grippers? Do you get a better workout from having red, blue or brass handles?

Holy shit!?

Great Death Black Doom Metal etc Review Site

If you are looking to get some opinions on heavy music before you buy it, the review team at the Metal Observer is excellent.

METAL OBSERVER

TPS Grip Contest

If you are in the New England area, this looks like a good contest to compete in or just spectate. It is too far of a drive for me, and being an old lazy bastard, I'll wait for the videos. ;)

TPS GRIP ASSAULT II

Monday Workout - 10/17

Hit the YMCA at 530AM. Ran through close grips, chest stuff on the Hammer machines and heavy rows on one of the Hammer rowing machines, some cables and abs.

Thumb is still limited and swollen, but the pain is finally subsiding. I'm going to stay on the naproxen regimen until Friday.

Massive Deadlift Training Video

Benni Magnusson does some mind boggling pulls in training. The last one is rumored to be 426KG!

See it HERE

GREAT HOMEMADE TOOLS

Before you go off and spend a fortune on an overpriced Formulator.
Study this page. And put the $175.00 on your mortgage principle. ;)

HOMEMADE TOOLS

Be sure to look around at his other pages. He has some cool easy to build stuff.

Sunday Workout - 10/16

Right Thumb is still sore and swollen. I cannot extend fully. The whole thing is bizarre. I'm taking a naproxen every 6 hours and moving/stretching it.

Did usual lowerback/ab rotation. Then grip.

Trainerx10
#1x10
#2 - 1 Speed Close each. Right Thumb yelped a warning :(
TTK - 2 Sets of 20, 20LBS
Left - Filed #3 4 Singles - Overcrush/Hold. No touch but DEEP.
Right - #2 - 4 singles - Speed closes, bit of hold. Thumb made itself known.
I moved fast through these. Left hand was FATIGUED from yesterday. But solid overall.

1/2 York 80
2 Full DLS each. Right thumb bit stressed.
Blob50 Index finger push
Left - x1FULL +5/8PlatematexFULL xFull xFull
Right - xFull xFull xFull x1/2
All full reps held at top for 3+seconds
Toasted after crush, even though I went moderate on right.

EZ Reverse Wrist Curl
67x42 - Good ROM
EZ Wrist Curl
67x30
157x42
All Solid

I'm working on a "secret thumb" exercise, when I work the kinks out I will
detail it. It should be good for active recovery.

MUSIC:
Metal Church - Metal Church

An old CLASSIC. The cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star" is GREAT.

Great Sig Line

"I want to die quietly in my sleep like my grandfather did. Not screaming and yelling like his passengers."

Old Gripboard Gallery - Cyberpump

Here is a link to the old gripboard gallery. There are photos as well as videos.

CyberpumpGallery

Injuries

Over the years I've learned to BACK OFF if injured. I wish I took this advice 20 years ago. I would have a lot less PAIN and NO lower back surgery.

Be smart. Work around it, back off, take your time etc.

Don't get stuck on stupid.

Saturday Workout - 10/15

Got up at 430 and went to work and returned about 7ish.

Then did lower back ab stuff in garage, seated presses in cellar,
then grip:

TX10
1X5+5 holds
2X1OC

Right thumb is still swollen, and now it's starting to get irritated.

Filed #3x18+1forced Left - Reps let out to parallel. No touch on the file, but each rep beyond the range.
Filed #3x5+1 forced Right - Had to force myself through this. Thumb is sore/burning.

Stopped here. No sense in being an idiot. Excellent reps though.
I could not resist. ;)

EZ Reverse Wrist Curls
67x20 - Good ROM
122x6 - Had to hump a bit
117x12 - Solid
67x31 - Good ROM

EZ Curl wrist curls
67x30
157x20
227x6

Thumb got sore again. Called it a day. I'll take a naproxen every 4 hours, and keep stretching it etc.

Workout took about 19 minutes.

MUSIC:
Destruction - Metal Discharge

Great classic thrash!

Friday Workout - 10/14

Right thumb is still stiff. Cannot extend, but the severe stinging is gone. And no numbness.

I hit the YMCA about 530AM. I ran through close grips, some light DB bench presses, heavy rows on one of the hammer machines and abs. Forearms felt fine on the rows, I guess I needed the shortened workout yesterday. ;)

I was afraid that I would not be able to hold onto the bar for the close grips or rows, but my thumb was pretty neutral.

Recovery Secret

I poured a glass of vodka. Half way through it my thumb seems to be feeling a bit better. Tomorrow I will pick up a bottle of Tito's and continue this experiment.

DOUG YOUNG

Mike Knight put together two great tribute videos to Doug Young.

Doug 1
Doug 2

Great stuff.

More Bench Shirt Madness

I see that the Bench Sirt debate is raging on two threads at one of the more famous gripping forums. What a waste of friggin bandwidth.

There should be a rule, you can only comment on bench shirts, if you can bench 405 raw. Other than that, shut your piehole. ;)

Thursday Workout 10/13

Ran through lowerback rotation. Then presses.
Then grip:

Trainerx10
#1xOC
#2xOC
Filed #3x1x1 - Left - OC/Hold
Filed #3x1x1 - Right - OC/Hold

Not touch on the handles but left was within a penny. That's pretty deep. Right was a penny or 2 beyond. I had a hard time getting it in my right hand.

York 1/2 80
2 full deadlifts.

For some reason hands were tiring fast.

BLOB50 - Index finger press.
Leftx1/2x1/2x1/2 :( Hand was wiped out.
Right - +1.25PlateMateX1 +2.5PlatemateX1 - Good holds at top also, slow set down.
Then on third set, the whaky happens. It slips from my hand about 3 inches from floor as I am setting it down and I jam my thumb into the BLOB. Had to stop to ice it. I popped 4 Naproxen and went to work. Still icing it. I cannot straighten thumb due to the swelling.

Oh well.

I'm using a bag of frozen black-eyed peas to do the icing.

The three is a breeze, even though I was a bit beatup today. The previous rep work definately helped. Strap holds next.

MUSIC:
MONSTER MAGNET - Spine of God

This is great heavy stoner metal from New Jersey. It seemed to fit after jamming my thumb.

Steel Bending

Here is a link to Tom Black's site. He is not as active with it, but there is some interesting info as well as some good photos.

BigSteel

Be sure to check the articles page.

Another Link

Here is a link to the UK Grip Site. It has not been updated in a while, but has many photos, and some good articles. Note the legendary David Horne competition photos.

UK Grip

WED Workout - 10/12

I got tied up with something so I skipped the lowerback stuff to get to the YMCA.
I was feeling beat up. I hit a few sets of chinups (3x20) then just circuited around for 30 minutes.

Some Great Judo Clips

Here is a great site with links to some cool Judo videos. The clip where the Great Kimura destroys Helio Gracie is FANTASTIC.

Judo Videos

A Strength Legend Passes

I just saw that Doug Young passed this weekend. He was one of the greats. His chapter in Terry Todd's classic "Inside Powerlifting" is well worth picking up a used copy for.

Here is a link to some of his lifting:

Doug Young

Tuesday Workout - 10/11

Started with usual reversehyper/45degree/abs.
Then seated press.

Grip
Trainerx10
#1x1OverCrush
#2x1OC
Filed #3 (1/4"filed)
Lx1x1
Rx1x1

Deep, but can't touch. If I had it to do over again, I would not have filed more than 1/8" off. I'm going to go easy a few more workouts, then start strapholds with a non-filed #3

Go-Really Grip 1 Hand - 2x6 underslide (weight does not include slide)
145x1
170x4 Right
190x4 Left
Had to hump a bit. This hits it deep. Did hold on last rep

TTK - 2x6 under arm, partials
20x20 47.5x10 - Toasted

Block Work
York 1/2 80 - 3 Full DLS each

Blob50 - Index press assist
Lx1
R+1.25lb PlateMatex1
L+5/8 Platematex1
R+1.25+5/8x1
L+5/8x1
Could do no more.

Thursday, will be the filed work, skip TTK and GoReally, block work and wrists.

Grip Workout took 29minutes

Music:
Candlemass
The new album by the DOOM masters!

GripFAQ

This cat is putting a lot of work into this site:

GRIPFAQ

Many pictures and explanations.

USA Grip Organization

Things are getting organized for formal grip competition:

US Handstrength

Be sure to check out the great forums at Power and Bulk also. Their RANT forum is one of the best on the net.

PowerandBulk

Time for peanuts.

Some more links

Brad Johnson is a master of the rafter pullup, here is one of his articles at Dragondoor (be sure to search for more if his stuff there):

Pullups

Brad also has a monthly column at Ironmind.

GorillaHands is on old master with a brutal crush:

GorillaHands

Mike Brown has an interesting site, plus a cool grip machine:

Mike Brown

Have fun!

More Crap

I just read this on a grip vendor's site:

"For instance, there are model 4s out there that cannot be closed by anyone and other model 4s that are only as strong as a stout model 3. Likewise for 2s and 3s, etc."

If you have a #4 that is like a stout #3, it has been TAMPERED with.

This guy has been upset since his quest to make the perfect gripper failed miserably. Somehow Ironmind is to blame.

Monday Workout - 10/10

Hit the YMCA about 530AM. Ran through close grip benches, hideous Hammer bench machines, and pullovers. Worked in Hammer seated rows in between the rest of the stuff. Forearms were sore on the rows. I may have pushed too much yesterday with the wide pinch. My house is consumed with the odor of Jack's Blue Heat.

I noticed a post on a board where a "yungun" was lecturing about the power of the mind. This schtick worked for the great "Mighty Atom", for the rest of us there is one rule - SQUEEZE FRIGGIN HARD.

Time to fry eggs.

Incredible Pinch Display

Here is Wade Gillingham's page at Jackal's Gym. The videos are incredible:


Wade

He may be the greatest "Pincher" on the planet.

Some More Grip Training Links

Here are some more grip training links:

Body Results
Steve Gardner
Rugged Mag

The last link has an interesting thumb exercise using a cable setup. This may adapt well to substituting the cable/weight stack with a Jumpstretch band.

Bench Shirts

WHO GIVES A RAT'S ASS. If you have the overwhelming desire to rant about your stance on bench shirts, take it to GoHeavy. Keep the gripping forums free of these brain dead discussions.

ENOUGH!

Sunday Workout - 10/9

Usual lowerback rotation of reversehypers, 45degree and abs.
Hit some seated presses, then onto grip:

Trainerx15
TTK 20lbsx20

A few deadlifts with the half York 80 (It weighs 42lbs in case I forgot to mention. It is ancient)
Then Some BLOB50 with index finger press/assist
Left Hand - with 5/8lb PlateMate magnet - 3 full singles
Right Hand - with 1.25lb PlateMate - 3 full singles

Reverse EZ Wrist Curls
67x15 full reps/solid ROM
117x10 - could not quite get hand to break parallel with floor. These partials hit it hard.

EZ Curl Wrist Curls
117x30 - Solid FULL ROM
217x12 - Dip below parallel, finish a bit above.
137x80 - Good ROM.

Forearms were a bit sore from yesterday. I think the heavy lat work contributed.

Workout took about 26 minutes.

MUSIC:
Cryptopsy - Once Was Not

Another Peeve

I just saw a thread where a Certified CoC, made a vague training statement. He was asked to clarify, and his response was to "call him". I thought the forum was for the exchange of training ideas. I have seen this happen over the past two years. Then a e-book or a DVD-R is released. You will not get a dime from me. I'll save my money for something useful, like my heat bill. Thank you. ;)

What a load of shit. If you are going to get coy with your answers, stay off the forum.

More on this later.

Saturday Workout Part 2 - 10/8

I felt guilty, so I hit the YMCA. I did heavy pulldowns on the Hammer Lat pulldown, cable facepulls, and light shoulderwork. I putzed around with some light reverse curls and DB hammers.

Hands felt tired through the workout. Especially the thumbs.

Time for some White Castle.

Saturday Workout 10/8

Did usual reversehyper/45degre and abs to start.

Then Grip
NOTE: W=5/8lb washer
Filed #3 is filed 1/4"+
OverCrushes are 6 seconds (Soviet recommended ;) )

Grippers
Trainerx10
#1x1OC
#2x1OC
Filed #3 x1OC Each Hand. Close to touching in left, BTR by a penny or 2 in Right
Filed #3 x1OC Each hand

Go-Really Grip - One Hand - 2x6 under slide - Weight Does not include slide
145x1 Each Hand
170x3 Right Hand
190x3 Left Hand
Did a hold at end also

TTK - 2x6 under arm, partial movement
20x20 45+3WX12 - Thumbs and HAND burning after this.

Blobs
1/2York 80 - 2 Full DeadLifts Each Hand
BLOB50 Index finger press
L Hand - 1/2DL, 1/2DL, Full DL
Right Hand - Full DL, added 1.25LB PlateMatexFull DL, 1.25Magnet +5/8Magnetx4" pull.

The crush completely wipes hand out for block work. But it seems this order is making crush as well as overall hand strength go up.

It is a good break from the reps. The OC on the #3 is a breeze. Once the bug bites
I will move onto strap holds with a non-filed #3.

Workout took 27 minutes.

MUSIC:
Belphegor Goatreich-Fleshcult

If you like your Death Metal "Blackened" this is for you!