Wednesday - 2/28

530AM

Joints sore.

Rope Pulls, Hammer Rows, Hammer Lat pulls - combine - 3 laps.
Smith Press - Hammer Lateral - Hammer Press - 3 laps
Light arms
Abs

Hit dynamic thumb with Tug #4. More tonight.

Incredible V-Bar Lift

411 pounds.

Congratulations Dutch!

Tuesday - 2/27

5AM

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x25 - Short rests

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand grip - 65% - 213x10, 283 - 4x6 - 30-45second rests.

Grip Training

2 Hand Overcrush 2x45's (Yorks)
4 singles - 8-10seconds. Wow.
This width has my fucking number. ;)

Some moderate seated sledge levering on knee.

2 Hand Towel Rollups with thick towel + 10lb plate - 2 sets of 3 laps

Thumb and pinky pads were a bit sore going into this.
I've been working in dynamic thumb through the day with an Ironmind Tug #4

Rest day tomorrow.

Monday - 2/26

Woke up to 3 inches of snow, then made the mistake of flipping to the Weather Channel where I was informed the Pain Index was 7. I immediately felt like shit. ;)

Shoveled snow, then went to the Y.

530AM

Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x40, 225-4x30
Hammer Flat, Incline, Decline - 2 passes
Dumbbell Pullovers (User Legacy York Dumbbell) - 2x15
Abs

Hit the cellar afterwards and did 3 two-hand overcrushes with the 2x45 Yorks - no extra weight. Thumb and pinky pads were sore. Good recovery workout.

Laine Snook Lifts The Millenium Dumbbell

This is enormous.

Sunday - 2/25

Another snow storm coming. I felt it the minute I got up.

9AM
Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x25 - I never go higher than a pair of 45's on each end. I have no idea what the bar weighs. It seems much heavier than my York Olympic bar.

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 65% - 213x10, 283 - 8sets of 3 - shorts rests - "speed day". I am going to keep these in this range until I find my way with the 45's pinch.

Grip Training

2x45's - will always refer to 2 York 45lb plates.

Plate Pass hand to hand - 3 each hand

2 hand deadlift with 2x45's, overcrushes for 8-10 seconds or so. 8 singles. Added weight each set to find "the zone".
I used a combination of an Ironmind Loading pin, a 25lb York, Platemates and one of those chromed collars from a curl bar. I am not counting the weight of the Loading Pin or collar.

Thumb webbing took a beating, but no "rips". It will be New-Skin and hand lotion for the duration.

I started dynamic thumb work using an Ironmind #4 Tug. This is right in the width range/sweet spot of the 2 plates.

I definitely found the "weak" zone in my pinch. ;)

Music - The Incomparable Glen Benton and Deicide

DEICIDE - LEGION

4 INCH FBBC Shiny Bastard

This boggles d'mind. A study in intensity.

Plate Pinching

I just got some great advice,from an esteemed gripster for getting these 45's out of the way. Get your notepads out, the ride is about to start, it may take awhile.

The biggest immediate issue, maybe keeping my thumb webbing in one piece. The Blob50 work has built it up fairly well, but the plates attack it a bit differently due to the width.

I have other 45's, but I'm going to proceed with the Yorks to maintain some sort of standardization.

Stalked!

Dr. Benway and I have just noticed that traffic is going through the roof here at our humble grip oasis! Evidently the Stalwart Canadian, whose physique reminds one of the awe-inspiring Harris Glen "DIVINE" Milstead, when he was at the peak of his craft, has linked to us. We thank you for the generous boost in ADSense revenue! We are honored and humbled.

As always - ANY proceeds go towards T-Shirts to help the forums.

Saturday - 2/24

830AM
YMCA

The fucking heat is finally working!

Alternated between Hammer Lat Pulls and Hammer Rows for 4 sets. Medium weights.
Hammer Laterals - Smith Press - 3 combines
Hammer Shoulder Press - 1 set to failure
Dumbbell Pullovers - 2x20
Light Arms

HOME

Grip Training

Levering - seated - forearm on thigh 4 sets
Lying - Extending wrist 4 sets

I keep the reps from 12 to 20 on these. I am not aiming to bend steel.

BLOB50

Left - 5 sets of 2 attempts - great air but no cigar
Right - 5 sets of 2 full deadlifts

Grabbed the 2 York 45's. It is time to commence training.
Picked them up and passed them back and forth for 5 sets of 3 to 4.
This is fucking murder on the thumb webbing. But what must be done must be done.

I got these Yorks in the early 80's. They have the rough swirl pattern on the smooth side.

The New-Skin is drying now. ;)

Dumbbell Rows Done Right

50Kilos is pretty good for a broad. ;)

Friday - 2/23

530AM
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x40, 225-3x30,1x40
Hammer Flat, Incline, Decline - 2 passes
Cybex Abs, Pec, Latpull/Kelso Shrugs

Tossed heavily laden garbage bags out to the curb.

Thursday - 2/22

530AM

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x20+

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 213x10, 303x3, 353x3, 423x5 limit, 373x6 - Good bump over last month. Will redo percentages again. Do not use a mixed grip on these if you are interested in developing hand strength. It will be rough at first with a 2" diameter SMOOTH bar, but persistence will payoff.

Grip Training
BLOB50

Left Hand - 10 sets of 2 deadlift attempts - air on most.
Right Hand - 10 sets of 2 - struggle at beginning, last half of sets finally full deadlifts.

At first this fuking thing did not want to leave the floor.

How Much More of These Pieces of Garbage

do we have to endure?!?

Wednesday - 2/21

530AM

Tooth extraction site feels pretty good. But decided against any mouth gritting work.

Circuit trained on all available machines, tossed in some dumbbell work also.

If I were a "legend", I'd have my own "Circus DumbBell" ;)

Time to make some oatmeal.

All Kinds of Hammers

I grabbed all of my hammers at Harbor Freight or Home Depot, but the place below seems to have an extensive selection for the obsessive compulsive hammer collector:

Hammersource

No Clicking!

Robert Adler, Co-Inventor Of Wireless Remotes For TVs, Dies At 93

Post Tooth Pull

The wisdom tooth was massive, but came out clean. It is weird when I close my mouth now. So far no pain. The Doc said no exertions for the next 24 hours, except for taking a dump, so I'm skipping tomorrow's workout. I need a break anyway.

Monday - 2/19

5F degrees. These temp swings are killing me.

Lower arms, and "shrug chain" sore.

530AM
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x40, 225-4x30
Hammer Flat,Incline,Decline - 2 passes - no rest
Kelso Overhead Crossover shrugs

Need to get a wisdom tooth yanked. Hopefully this involves some sort of
post procedure narcotics.

Another Monster Steel Bend - 3/8" x 6.5" Stainless Round

Gazza does it again. :O

Sunday - 2/18

23F - Warming up! BUT Cellar is "slippery" moist from snow.
Sore all over this morning.

9AM
Trap Bar deadlifts - 5x20

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 90+% day - 213x10, 283x3, 353x2, 403 - 7 sets of 2. 2 set volume bump over 1/28/2007. Used the new York Plates. I could have sworn I saw the ghost of Bob Hoffman standing along side my furnace beckoning me to "high pull heaven".

Grip Training

Blob50 - fucked around. It felt "cold" today. Wire brushed the chalk off.
Time better spent with Jack's Blue Heat.

York Olympic Plates

I stopped by Big Al's MuscleMag to nose around, and I see 2 York 25's and 2 York 35's. The staff were baffled about the price. Someone called Big Al, he said 50 cents per pound. I said throw 'em in my trunk. The 35's have the USA imprint. The week ends in a victory! ;) These are a perfect match for my York 310lb set that I bought in 1982-83ish.

Saturday - 2/17

9F
Woke up sore. Had to chop up chunks of ice at the end of my driveway that the fuckhead in the plow left. I might be getting in the best workouts of the month. ;)

Went into work at 5AM to get some shit together.

8AM

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x20+

Levering - Seated with forearm on thigh and lying with arm straight up. Thumbpads were worn out after this.

Grip training
BLOB50 - Fucked around again. Hands still worn out from the shoveling. But at least it came off the ground today. ;)

Another Imbecile Benching

Posted on tfannon's fine forum. Enjoy.

GripFAQ Focus

We have said this before, but it needs to be stated again, the cat who runs GripFAQ.com, has done a great job in explaining all the ins and outs of the our nutty obsession.

Check it out here: GRIPFAQ

If you are a noob, read it a few times before you post a stupid question on our favorite forums.

Back To The Log Bar

We have noticed the Fictional Grip Group has listened to us and are now offering a full length "log bar". But before you toss away your hard earned cash on a bar with "cookie cutter" generic specs, check out the solution from PDA. They have been putting together bullet proof bars for years. The customization options are more than worth it. They are a GB sponsor, AND they will not spam you with 4 fucking emails per day. ;) While your are there, check out the Blobette.

Friday - 2/16

2F Out. Roads still a mess, but I had to get out of the house. I think I knew how Saddam felt. ;)

530AM
Close Grip Bench - Index on Smooth - 135x50, 225-4x30
Hammer Machines - Flat,incline,decline benches, Hammer Lat and row. 3 Laps. Worked in Kelso shrugs here and there.

Now:

If you buy a fucking enormous SUV, be sure to put money aside for FUCKING TIRES. My route to the Y was littered with abandoned SUVS. Most had sub-par tires. I also believe women should be barred from driving them. But that's for another day. ;)

Thursday - 2/15

2F degrees. Got a few more inches of snow last night.

Sore all over from pushing the white shit around. Also helped dig a few cars out at the intersection. Had to concentrate to get through things.

Trap Bar deadlifts - 5x20

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand grip - 65% day - 213x10,283- 7 sets of 6. Volume bump. Short rest intervals.

Grip training

Blob50
Fucked around a bit. Thumbs rebelled after yesterday's shoveling. ;)

Phenomenal Short Steel Bend - 4.5 Inch FBBC Shiny Bastard

The BEST just got better. Congratulations Gazza!

Part One



Part Two

Snow - Workout Post Mortem

I just finished up round 2 on the cleanup. If anything it was a good GPP workout.
The snow is well above my knees, and I'm 6 foot.

Lats and bi's sore. Fucking with the shovel and snow blower helped work some of the kinks out.

I was expecting to get my Westside Barbell sweatshirts today, but UPS is shutdown also. Oh well.

Tonight will be dedicated to scotch and cigars.

One of My Best Investments

is my Sears snow blower. ;) I bought it, when I turned 40. If I did not have it today, I'm convinced the paramedics would be here zipping me into a bag. ;)

Wednesday - 2/14

630AM

16F and we are getting hammered with snow. Skipped going to the Y. I'm not driving in that shit.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x25 - I never weighed the bar, but it's heavier than a 7 foot Olympic bar. Due to my back, I keep the weights to no more then a pair of 45's per side.

Dumbbell Rows - I have not done these in MONTHS - Olympic dumbbell - no straps/no hook grip. 50x20, 100x20, 150x10, 180x6, 200x5. Had one more increment up in weight in me, but no sense in being stupid with my back. I used 6 25lb plates to make up the bulk of the weight and a pair of collars on each end. Once a plate falls on your foot your training IQ goes up. ;) If you are new here I had back surgery about 10 years ago (2 ruptured discs). It helped, but I have to be careful with everything I do, heavy lower body stuff is a no go. I loved Judo, but 10+ years of it took its toll.

JM Presses with Apollon's Axle - 6 sets of 10-12, 123lbs, 15-30second rests between sets.

Time to work up the courage to go out and fire up the snow blower.

Is Nothing Sacred?

Call me sentimental, but I voted for Ron Jeremy.

WHO SHOULD GET CUSTODY OF ANNA NICOLE"S CHILD?

;)
We are fucked as a society.

Sad News

It is with deep regret that we must cancel our plans to ship, FILLED Sofia Province, Eastern European Excrement Filled Combat Conditioning bags. We have come to the realization that only a complete moron would pay outrageous freight charges to have filled sacks shipped to them. We will leave it to the Inner-Circle to give your wallet the "Pink Glove".

For those with any intelligence, we are sure you will be able to rig something up. ;)

Tuesday - 2/13

16F out - Big fucking snowstorm on the way. The "slipperiness" quotient was already up in the cellar.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 2x20-25

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - OVERHAND Grip - 75% day - 213x10, 323-5sets of 6 - volume bump. Sunday may be a good day to hit a max double or triple and re-calculate. Quick pace. Lower arms pretty worn after this. Still a bit fatigued from the weekend.

Levering, medium weights, lotta reps.

Grip Training

BLOB50

Left - 6 sets of 2 attempts - good air but after the good peak this weekend, did not push too hard.

Right - 6 sets of 2 full deadlifts.



I could have sworn I saw Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband peaking in on my dog this morning.

Monday - 2/12

23F Degrees. Snow is coming.

530AM
Weight Room still without heat.
Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x40, 225-4x30
Circuit trained through hammer press machines and hammer lat machines.

Unique Card Trick

Strongman Ranks

Who or what determines who is a:

Grandmaster Strongman
Master Strongman
or
Old Time Strongman?

Sunday - 2/11

7F Degrees. So much for the warming.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x25.

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 85+% day - volume bump - 213x10, 283x3, 373-4 sets of 5. Solid. Remember if you start these, you are supposed to be working your traps along with your grip. DO NOT turn this into some sort of sloppy partial deadlift.
Lower arms fairly fatigued after this.

Grip Training

BLOB50

Left- 10 sets of 2 attempts. Got good air on most, managed to sneak in another full deadlift.
Right - 10 sets of 2 - full deadlifts.


In preparation to carry a fully loaded sack of garbage down my back steps, I cranked up an MP3 of
"Mila Rodino". This moving national anthem of our favorite Eastern European Country, positively electrified our pantry and worked us into a conditioning frenzy. Things just got nuts! I truly believe that the current brand of garbage bags we are utilizing at the grip clubhouse, have a unique shape that lends it self to extreme forms of combat conditioning training. If you are interested in trying out our revolutionary refuse bag training program, we will be glad to send you a heavily laden bag of garbage, some may even contain our dog's excrement. We at Grip Central are currently working out the logistics of shipping leachate laden sacks. Stay tuned.

Extras - Scene With David Bowie

Great shit.

Saturday - 2/10 - A New Milestone

Click Photo to enlarge.

8AM

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x20+

Levering - Different angles - worked in sledge with big ratchet. I have been focusing on doing Saturday's levering seated and lying down. Seated, I rest forearm on thigh, and let the implement go forward and pull it back. Wade Gillingham covers this stuff on his DVD.
Lying; you just start with the your arm straight in the air, with the implement resting on your chest, and using your wrist get it parallel with the floor. I have seen some solid improvement over the past couple of months. Remember to start slow and controlled. A second of stupidity will result in months of rehab.

Grip Training

BLOB50

Left - 7 sets of 2 attempts. Good air. GOT IN ONE FULL DEADLIFT. It is about fucking time. I'm buying a bottle of single malt scotch today. Woo Hoo!

Right - 7 sets of 2 full deadlifts.


MUSIC:




The air has just been a little sweeter this week, since the bending throne has been greeted with a new set of buttocks. ;)

What is It with

when some are questioned or asked for a video to prove some big gripper claims, some chose to act like big fucking newborns, and post that they are not going to post workouts? Who gives a fuck? Grow up, move on and give up the SPHINCTER FIXATION.

Fucking foot stompers. ;)


This behavior is almost as silly as paying to have SAND FILLED Eastern European turd sacks delivered to your house. ;)

Friday 2/9

530AM
10F Degrees

Heat was non-existent in the Y's weight room. Not much of a difference from my garage.

Close Grip Bench - index on smooth - 135x40, 225-4x30
Whole body circuit, some in frozen weight room, finished with Cybex machines in Health club area.

We congratulate Gazza for setting the bending standard, as well as the the record keepers for their meticulous devotion to their duties. We have entered a new era.

Bulgarian Turds

Who on God's fucking green earth is paying for oddly shaped, filled sandbags to be shipped to them, at outrageous prices? With the prices the Fictional Inner Circle are charging for the surprising "response" to this crap, why not get a fucking server that does not crash?

Look, go to your local Army/Navy store, get a heavy pair of small/short statured Camo pants, tie the legs off, fill'em up with dirt from your back yard, then tie/duct tape the waist off. Guess what? You made yourself a Eastern European strength training implement. Now toss it around you neck and fucking squat or run. You just saved yourself a painful anal wallet reaming.

Carry on!

Thursday - 2/8

6F degrees out. This cold snap has settled right into my fuking lower back.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x50 (These sets in combination with first 3 sets of shrugs)

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 65% day - 213x10, 283-6 sets of 6
Volume bump. If you are just joining in this is an Ironmind Apollon's Axle. There is NO KNURLING. Also click the link on the right for my hand photo, before you start a bellyaching thread about your hand being too small.

Grip Training

Blob50 Deadlifts

Left - 7 sets of 2 attempts. If I was a few inches shorter these would be full deadlifts. Today is garbage day, I'm tempted to toss this fuking thing. ;)

Right - 7 sets of 2 - full deadlifts. Good speed from floor.

Thoughts for the day:

There has always been the debate that "grip" is in its infancy, and "world class" is a moving target. There is constant speculation of "freaks" coming out and destroying what we thought was world class. Now someone comes out and destroys world class in bending, and we are told that world class is defined by what some so called "king" has defined. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are seeing the beginnings of how the ersatz "lore" of Paul Anderson started. Did Paul own cammy pants? ;)

The Inner "Oval" Gurus Lay an Egg

The Fictional Group has "Dumped" the steaming contents of the mystery sack out to reveal another oddly shaped, stuffed Eastern European sack. Tell Me were we not dead on with our "Soviet Era" description this morning? This is so true to form.

Okay you Fictional Apologists, pull your wallets out and let them get the ass raping they deserve. ;)

Wednesday - 2/7

7F degrees out. Things are looking up!

The heat has been non-existent in the weight room this winter.
Circuit trained around the room. No sense in risking injury.
Moved quick.

We eagerly await the revelations as to what is in the Soviet Era Colostomy Satchel being brandied about by our Fictional guru. All will be revealed today. Control yourselves. ;)

Tuesday - 2/6

Another 0F degree morning.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 5x20 - combined with the first 5 sets of shrugs.

Shrug's w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 75% day - 215x5, 323-6 sets of 4 - volume bump.

Brookfield stick - 1 long bout.
Levering to rear - bunch of reps.

Lower arms were fairly hosed.

Screwed around with Blob50. Opted for recovery, so cut it short.

Aside from giving us a good laugh, is there anything of training value in those thrice daily "e-turds" that erupt from the Fictional Group that make any sense?

Monday - 2/5

O degrees F out, plenty of wind.

Close Grip Bench - Index on smooth - 135x30, 225-4x30
Room was COLD. Circuit trained, upper and lower body.
Worked in some super slow sets as well as Kelso Shrugs with the movements.

Time to fucking eat.

Tattoo Magazines

I just got back from Borders. I looked down and I see 8 fucking tattoo magazines. What the fuck? Does the world really need this many magazines dedicated to self mutilation? ;)

Sunday - 2/4

Fucking 5 degrees F out. This weather change has settled in and taken residence in my lower back.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x40

Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - OVERHAND GRIP - 85% day - 215x3, 283x5, 363-4sets of 5. Rested 2-3 minutes between sets. Traps feel pretty good. Hands were cramping after this.

Grip Training

BLOB50

Left - 9 sets of 2 - attempts. Close but no fucking cigar. I may roll the PDA Blobette out and do a circa max cycle to refine the groove.

Right - 9 doubles - full deadlifts.

A Thought:

We strongly endorse Gazza taking the offer to bend some official Fat B. Steel. Let's light this fucking candle and end this fucking blogging/forum scrimmage. Good luck my friend and hit them in the fucking yarbles.

Lazy Scranton - The Office

The back drops are the real thing from my town. Take a break from arguing about what is stronger; Brute Strength or Camo Pants, and enjoy.

Part II

Hit the YMCA, the place was jammed for some reason. Circuit trained all around the available units.

Time to eat.

Saturday - 2/3

11 degrees F, this may be the high for today.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x20

Levering with big ratchet and magnets. Hit these pretty intensely. Forearms were not much good afterwards.

Grip Training

Blob50 - needed to rest about 10 minutes after the lever work.

Left - 5 sets of 2 attempts. Good air. It starts moving good, then something shuts my wrist off.

Right - 5 sets of 2 - full deadlifts

I click on my beloved forum gallery this morning, and instead of being greeted with a grip or bending feat of strength clip, I have some young man's half naked bodybuilder posing image thrust at me. What the fuck? Aren't there other forums for this sort of "material"? My wife is convinced I was on some friggin fantasy lifeguard site. ;) Post a fucking warning next time. ;)

Let's get back to gripping and bending people.

This Is The Hell That is My City

This is an excerpt form a Real Scranton City Council Meeting. Enjoy the most raucous 5 minutes of your life. ;)

Friday - 2/2

530AM
Close Grip Bench - Index on Smooth - 134x40, 225-4x30
Hammer Incline,Flat,Decline - 2 laps. Finished each set with Kelso bench shrugs.
Rope Pullover - 3x15
Over Cable Crossover Kelso Shrugs - 3x12

Q. What's in the fuking bag?
A. The mythical "King of all Bastards Video". ;)
A. "Soiled" Camo Pants.
A. Rubicks Cruuks platform dress shoes.

Thursday - 2/1

19degrees F out.

Trap Bar Deadlifts - 3x20+
Shrugs w/ Apollon's Axle - Overhand Grip - 65% day - 213x10, 283-8sets of 3
Rested 15-30 seconds between sets. "Speed day"

Grip Training
Blob50
Left - 7 double attempts - a couple of close calls here. ;) I hate this fucking thing.
Right - 7 doubles - full deadlifts.

Too hungry to continue.