TECH SUPPORT

Having spent the past 20 years working in a department that does tech support, this PC World article sums up what we see every day.

Tech Support: Life on the Other End of the Line

Anybody who works that side of the table deserves a Halo.

Sunday Workout - 4/30

7AM
Lower Back ab circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 8 sets 10 reps. Best ever weight/volume
I have been doing this upright rows sort of "loose" like in the Svend Karlsen DVD or was it Magnus? I have noticed a big overall upper body difference since I started working them in.

Inverted Rows - w/ Apollon's Axle - feet elevated - 90lbs on chest, no rest drop to 45lbs on chest.

Fooled with 1/2 York 80 and Blob 50. Left hand is showing improvement. Solid "air" on most attempts. Right "staleness" is starting to go away. Did several full deadlifts. etc.

12lb Sledge lever to rear - worked up to 10lbs additional. SLOPPY but controlled, then took magnets off and did a few sets. Fairly good reps.
Ax Lever to front - 5 sets adding magnets. Steady improvement.
Fat Brookfielfd stick - 1 bout.

Felt pretty good at end of workout.

MUSIC:

Lair of the Minotaur- Ultimate Destroyer

Saturday - 4/29 Part 2

YMCA
Chins x65 (Parallel grip), 30 second rest, narrow undergripx20
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Hammer Lat - Stayed in 12-15 rep range - 4 sets. Weight may have been a record.
Hammer Press, Smith Press, Hammer Lateral - 3 circuits.
Light Arms
Abs

Saturday - 4/29 Grip

7AM
Piddled around with hammer curls and light ax levering.
Fooled with blobs (1/2 York 80 and Blob 50). Blob work is starting
to come back. Still sputtering a bit.

BOO-HOO

I just saw a post where someone is "boycotting" the Global Grip Challenge 2006 because they are using the "Credit Card Set" for the gripper portion.

BIG FUCKING DEAL! If it was not for all the pinheads who judged each other with closes that would not pass for a friggin negative at best, that rule would not be in effect now.

If you are going to cry about hand size, buy a bib and some creamed corn and weep and eat alone. ;)

But anyhoo, the strongest guys will win anyway.

Friday Workout - 4/28

Need sleep
530AM
YMCA
Close Grip - Index on Smooth - 135x30 185x20 225x61 225x50 225x30
Hammer Incline, Hammer Decline, Hammer Flat - 2 circuits - no rest
Rope Pullover
Abs

FAST Pace.

Thurs - 4/27

Sleeping terrible all week.
530AM
Lower Back ab circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 10sets of 10. FAST pace. Best weight volume ever.
Inverted Rows - Feet Elevated - 80lbs on chest - lost count.
Piddled with 1/2 York 80 and Blob50.
Worked in light levering with ax in between stuff.

I think my CNS is a bit fried on pinch.

More Number 3 Crap

What is it with certain people that have "hard number 3's"? I have 13 of them, purchased during the past 2.5 years, and while they vary a bit, NONE are equal to an Elite that I have.

It seems like this is regurgated on either board week after week. Stop your fuking whining.

Wed Workout - 4/26

Woke up groggy
530AM YMCA
Rope Pulls - 6 sets - 15-20 reps
Hammer Lat - 4 sets - 20+reps
Smith Press - Hammer Press - Hammer Lateral - 3 circuits
Hammer Preacher -> Rope Press downs - 3 sets
Abs

Moved quick.

Tues Workout - 4/25

530AM
Lower Back ab circuit.
Piddled with York blocks and ax levers.
Still sore from Sunday.

Monday - 4/24

530AM
YMCA
Close Grip Bench - Index on Smooth - 135x50 185x40 225x50 225x50 225x45
Hammer Incline, Hammer Flat, Hammer Decline - 2 circuits. No rest.
Rope Pullovers - 3x12
Rear Delt Shrugs w/ crossover cables.

Rainy weather the past few days has me sore.

Lower arms still a bit sore from yesterday.

Sunday Workout 4/23

9AM
Lower Back Ab Circuit
Upright Row w/ Apollon's Axle - 10 sets 10 reps - fast pace. Increased weight.
Inverted Row w/ Apollin's Axle - feet elevated - 3 sets 75lbs on chest, 2 sets 45lbs on chest. Hi-Rep. Rests were just time to re-adjust my feet.
Blob Work
1/2 York 80 - 2 x 5 - full deadlifts.
Blob 50 - Left - 5 singles attempts - solid air on each one.
Blob 50 - Right - 5 singles - solid air.
Blob50 is starting to come back. It peaked well in Jan -Feb, Blobette w/ Right then went through the roof, then last week crash and burn.
Arms, thumbs etc got hosed from Apollon's work.

12lb sledge to rear, used platemates.
Long Ax to front.
Fat Brookfield Stick.

Solid sets reps with the above.

Also fooled with Blob50 inbetween resting from sledge.

Concentrate on Jack's Blue Heat for the next few days.

Saturday Workout 4/22

7AM
Lower Back Ab circuit
GRIP
I swear I forgot how to pinch. The past week or so has been an experience in "un-coordination"
I messed with the 1/2York 80 then moved to the Blob50. It took 20 minutes of screwing around just to get some air time with it.

It seemed prudent to stop and fry up a pan full of scrambled eggs.

Fri Workout - 4/21

530AM
YMCA
Close grip bench - index on smooth - 135x50 185x30 225x60
DB Press - 3x30+
Hammer Incline, Hammer Flat, Hammer Decline - 2 circuits, no rest
Rope Pullovers - 3x10 - heavy
Abs

Not bad. Since starting the hi-rep stuff, the joints feel "smoother".

Lowerr arms a bit sore, thumbs puffy.

MMA Training

What is it with all these pinheads announcing themselves as MMA fighters? Then of course after it is announced on our favorite forum, others step forward as martial artists. I have learned, when they use "Brazilian" in any phrase, they know as much about martial arts as my dog.

Let go of your ego and worry about real life.

Thursday Workout - 4/20

530AM
Lower Back - Ab Circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 10 sets of 10 - fast pace.
Inverted rows - w/ Apollon;s Axle - 55lbs on chest - feet elevated - 3 sets. Lost count. Rest was just a few breaths.
PINCH
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps
BLOB50
Left - Negative+Hold - 3 sets 1 - worked up to 7.5lbs of platemates. Solid
Right - Negative+Hold - sets 1 - worked up to 10lbs of platemates. Solid. 10lbs was limit.
Alternated Index assist each hand - picking up, holding, placing it 3 feet from where I picked it up. 3 sets 3 reps. Added 1.25lbs for last set.
DONE.

Needed the time off, but lost some of the "groove".

MUSIC:
Bathory - The Return

A classic.

Wed Workout - 4/19

530AM
YMCA
Chins - 62,20 - short rest.
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Hammer Lat - 3x20 increase weight each set
Hammer Press - 3x20
Smith Press - 3x20
Hammer Laterals - 3x20
Bis, Tris
Abs

Quick pace, but still hit some hi-rep solid weight.

Another Day Off

I'm got up and decided to bag today. Still beatup from the weekend.

I noticed some pinhead has been posting his diet on the gripboard. 4000+ calories per day and lecturing those who have troble getting bigger to just eat more. BUT on FortifiedIron he is discussing the best injection sites for his Testosterone regimen. Fuking douchebag.

This same clown used to claim he was the first teenager to bend a Red. He appears no where on the list. Another stain on gripdom.

;)

Monday - 4/17

No workout.
Got up at 4AM, headed into work.

Could use the break. Bit toasted lately.

Sunday Workout 4/16

7AM
Tired.
Lower Back Ab Circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 8 sets of 6 - fast pace medium heavy.
Inverted Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - feet elevated - 55lbs on chest - 3 sets - 5-10 second rest between sets. High reps.
Hands toasted.
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 deadlifts
Left Blob50 - 3 sets of 2 reps +5/8lbs platemates. Ended each set with a hold.
Right - Blobette +1.25lbs - 3 sets 2 reps. Plus ended each set with a hold.
Got some air all sets, but difficult today.
12lb Sledge rear lever - 4 sets
Fat Brookfield Stick
front Levering with ax

Tuesday may just be a light feeder day. Lower arms hosed most of day.

Sat 4/15

7AM
Lower Back and Ab Circuit
GRIP
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5reps
Left - Blob50 - +5/8lb Platemate - solid air *2 - +1.25 *2 pops - finished each set with a negative long hold.
Right - PDA Blobette - added more lead - +1.25lbs *2 airbornes + negative holds, +1.875lbs *2 pops + long hold.
Bit fatigued today. Stopped here.

YMCA
Hammer Hi-Rows - 3 sets 20 - maybe best weight ever.
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Hammer Lat PUlls - 3x30
Hammer Press + Smith Press + Hammer laterals
Light Bis Tris
Abs

Adjustable Pinch Apparatus

I'm not fully sold on records being based on this device. If someone with the same hand size as another pulls the SAME weight, but with a wider setting, is that another record?

Im leaning towards a standard width. A fixed width device set at the thickness of 2 York 45's seems more sane. 98+% of the potential competitors should be able to negotiate that width.

There is too much whining about hand size and "leveling" the playing field. This is the only "obscure" sport that seems to go out of its way to make things easier.

This very problem is what buried the World Hand organization last month. Sometimes I think certain people are more interested in protecting their own records, than furthering the sport.

Oh well.

Friday - 4/14

530 AM
Better sleep
YMCA
Close Grip bench - index on smooth - 135x30 185x20 225x60
DB Bench - 3x30
Hammer flat, Hammer incline, Hammer decline - 2 circuits - high reps - quick pace.
Abs

Musings

Wiped out. Im going to shovel a steak down, take the dog out, then hit the hay. I am short about a nights worth of sleep this week.

I noticed these two videos over the brutestrength forums:

http://www.brutestrength.com/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=240
http://www.brutestrength.com/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=241


Evidently it is some sort of certification procedure.

Thursday Workout - 4/13

530AM
Slept about 3 hours.
Loer Back Ab circuit
Upright row w/ Apollon's Axle - 8 sets 10. Hit good weight, fast pace
Inverted Rows - w/ Apollon's Axle - feet elevated - 55lbs on chest - 2 sets "alotta" reps. Left some in bank, still sore from the chins yesterday.
PINCH
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps Full Dls
Left - Blob 50 3 sets 2 reps + finish with Negative/long hold. Solid air. Milestone
Right Blobette - worked up to 6-7/8lbs over 3 sets. Got air. Also Negative Holds.

MUSIC:
Sepultura - Beneath the Remains

Wed Workout - 4/12

530AM
YMCA
Still a bit shagged, but better.
Chins - 65,12,12 - quick pace, fried after first set. The high volume upright rows and inverted rows are helping here.
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Hammer High Rows - 3x20
Smith Press - 4x15
Hammer Laterals - 3x20
Hammer Press - 3x20
Bi's, Tris, Abs

Tuesday Workout 4/11

630AM
Felt like crap. Couple hours sleep.
Fooled with blobs for 15 minutes. Called it a day.

Monday Workout - 4/10

530AM YMCA
Woke up stiff.
Lower arms aching.
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x35 185x35 225x50 225x40 225x40
Hammer Incline, Hammer Decline, Hammer Flat - 2 circuits. No rest. Hi-Reps
Rope Pullover
Abs

Upper body sore from yesterday's stuff.

Sunday Workout 4/9

7AM
Lower Back Ab circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's axle - 10 sets 10 reps - fast pace.
Inverted Rows - feet elevated - 55lbs on chest - 5 sets - quick pace. Many reps.
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps. Hands pumped from Apollon's. Tough getting started.
Left - Blob50 - worked up to 1.25lbs in platemates. 4 sets. Managed a couple of pops from floor each set. Finished with 1 long negative/hold per set.
Right - PDA Blobette - worked up to 5.625lbs. Got some air every set.
12lb sledge to rear - used platemates each set.
Fat Brookfield stick
Worked with ax to front.

FRIED

MUSIC:

Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane/Where Dead Angels Lie

Hand Size

I wish the gripboard would just pick the whiniest crybaby thread about hand size and sticky it. The truly strongest will rise to the top.

The latest thread is edging to 4 pages now.

Douche bags. ;)

Saturday Part 2 - 4/8

YMCA
Rope Pulls - 3x30
Hammer Lat - 3x20
Hammer Hi-Row 3x30
Hammer Shoulder Press - 3x30
Smith Press 3x20
Hammer Lateral 3x20
Bis,Tris
Abs

Saturday Workout 4/8

Went to work at 430AM
730AM
Lower Back ab circuit
Grip
1/2 York 80 - 3x5. First set hands cold. Could only manage popping it from floor.
Left - Blob50 - 3 sets 2 reps each. Managed a tad of air each rep. Finished each set with a long hold at top.
Right PDA Blobette - added some more lead - worked up to 5lbs of platemates. Managed some air.

Called it a day.

Friday - 4/7

Spent the day off screwing around. I forgot to turn the burner off this morning and melted a spatula to mt frying pan. I used a Brillo to clean it up. When it was over, I thought my hands were going to fall off. That will be the active recovery for today.

Fri Workout - 4/7

530AM
Car in shop. Had to hoof it back and forth for the YMCA
Close Grip - Index on smooth - 135x30 185x30 225x56
DB Bench - 3x30
Hammer Bench, Hammer Decline, Hammer Incline - 2 circuits.
Rope Pullovers - 3x20
Inverted cable shrug - 3x30
Abs

Sore all over from yesterday.

Hand Size Divisions

What the fuk! I noticed some are worried about some freak with 9 or 10 inch hands showing up and dominating a contest. Who gives a crap. Strongest hands win.

Most competitors that fall under the bell curve are going to have 7.5" hands give or take a quarter inch. The ones with hands 7" and under and 8.75+ are going to be on the narrowest part of the tail.

Stop it with these stupid events that use a 1" bar. Standardize on 2.5" and stop whining.

Now wonder Sam's Club sells so many adult diapers. ;)

Thursday Workout - 4/6

530AM
Feeling beatup today.
Lower back - ab circuit.
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 10 sets 10 reps. Fast pace.
Inverted rows - feet elevated w/ Apollon's Axle - 5 sets - 55lbs on chest. Lotta reps.
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps each hand.
Difficult. Hands pumped from thick bar.
Left - BLOB50 - 3 sets, 1 or 2 tiny airbornes per rep.
Right Blobette - worked up to 5lbs of platemates. Got some air.

Hands, wrists sore today. Yesterday's chinups may have also contributed.

MUSIC:

Dismember - The God That Never Was

Support Groups and Other Observations

Over the past 6 months or so it seems that both major forums are drifting away from real training info and turning into "gripper support group" forums.

It is good to see the "flash in the pans" go on a gripper tear, then hit a down spell, and proceed to sell all their grip stuff. - Good riddance. ;)

The whining about "gripper ratings" is truly getting irritating. Use what you have. When you close it you will be stronger. Simple?

What the fuk is all the "thick bar" debate for competition? Everything to be 1 inch? It is more an exercise in pain control than true grip. Especially that fuking "vertical bar". ;)

Or the "gripster" who needs constant reinforcement from the group and who has to make it known in every thread what gripper he has closed.

The "record keeper's" need to remind others about what grippers everyone else has closed. Someone spent too much time on their mother's nipple. :)

Stop asking how big everyone's hand is. It is dumb.

If you see yourself on this list, you are at the starting stages of mental illness, and will soon become a burden on society.


;)

Wed Workout - 4/5

530AM
Cold and snow.
YMCA
Chins - 61, 25,12
I dont know where the energy came from.
Hammer Low Rows - 3x20
Hammer Press - 3x20
Hammer Laterals - 3x20
Hammer Preacher - 3x20
Rope Pulls - 3x20
Rope Pressdown - 4 x20
Abs

Tuesday Workout 4/4

530AM
Lower Back Ab circuit
GRIP
Lower arms feeling beatup from weekend. Difficult to get started.
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps each. Worked to full deadlifts. First set a struggle just to pop off floor.
Left - 1/2 York 80 - 4 sets 2 reps each w/ 10lbs platemates. Breaking a few inches off floor and moving it.
Right - PDA Blobette (48.5lbs) - worked up to 3.75lbs of platemates. Breaking a couple inches from floor.
Tired but not bad.
Titan's Telegraph - Fingers on top - 1 set 30 each hand.
Tried Blob50 with left, got a tad of air.
Grabbed it right, had to be sure it was not the 1/2 of 75. ;)

Called it quits.

Monday Workout - 4/3

YMCA
530AM
Close Grip Bench - Index on Smooth - 135x30 185x30 225x56 225x35 225x35
Hammer Incline, Hammer Decline, Hammer Flat - 2 circuits. Medium Weight, short rests
Cables
Abs

Lower arms a bit sore.

World Hand Strength Association

What started as a good idea a short while ago, seems to be imploding. There was arguing right from the beginning. And some laugh at all the "letters" in Powerlifting.

As I see it, we just need some standardized events and equipment. But NO ANAL RETENTIVE arguing over minute differences in "v-bar" seasoning and similiar ilk. ;)

Sunday - 4/2/2006

7AM
Lower Back Ab Circuit
Upright Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - 10 sets of 10 reps. Quick pace
Inverted Rows w/ Apollon's Axle - feet elevated - 45lbs on chest - 5 sets. Pile of reps
1/2 York 80 - 3 sets 5 reps - tough at first. Finish with full deadlifts
Left - 1/2 York 80 - worked up to 15lbs in platmates. Concentrated on busting from floor.
Right - PDA Blobette - worked up to 3.75 lbs of Platemates - samea as above. Weighed blobette - 48.5
lbs.
12 lb sledge - lever to rear - sloppy but worked up to 5lbs in platemates.
Fat Brookfield stick
Front levers with ax.

Solid.

MUSIC:
Witch - Witch

Saturday Workout 4/1

At work at 4AM
630AM - Grip
Lower Back Ab Circuit
1/2 York 80 - 3x5 Full Deadlifts
Left - 1/2York 80 - Worked up to 13-1/8lbs in platemates. Solid air
Right - Blobette - added some more lead - worked up to 3-1/8lbs. Concentrated on getting air under it. Solid day left some in tank.

The Blobette is MUCH harder than Blob50 now.

Skipping Lat workout at YMCA. Bit beat up.