Recommendations

I have found the following helpful for grip training:

1. Work the whole lower arm. If you are addicted to grippers do not forget extensor work, the thumb and for god's sakes work your forearms. The balance will pay off.
2. KEEP a log. If you do not know where you came from, you will not know where you are going. Mark down more than weights and reps. Note the climate, sleep etc. Dampness will affect pinch dramatically.
3. Pinch will be SLOW progress once you get to a certain level. Invest in a PDA Blobette and Platemates. Learn to microload. The Platemates will also help with plate pinching.
4. Keep a bottle of New-Skin handy. Nothing is worse than callouses splitting.
5. Get some sort of thick bar and dumbbells (SMOOTH finish). Use the thick bars for your regular weight work also.
6. There are no secrets. Eat right, take your vitamins, fish oil is a must and sleep. We all have our ups and downs. Don't worry about it. As long as you are breathing and walking you are winning the game of life.
7. If you are a gripper nut, get KTA. But for Christ's sake read it multiple times before starting.
8. Do Not Fall for guerrilla "inner-circle" marketing. If someone needs to send you four e-mail solicitations a day, listen to the alarm bells in your head.
9. Pay attention to those who have proven themselves in competition.
10. Be fucking humble.
11. DO NOT FOOT STOMP SEASON YOUR GRIPPERS.
12. It is impossible to get the springs in the 11 and 12 position on the Ivanko Super Gripper. Stop wasting your time. ;)
13. Do not waste forum bandwidth asking if chalk is cheating, it is not. Do not ask where to buy chalk. If you cannot figure that out. Forget grip, you have other issues.
14. Goofy $200.00 forearm devices are NOT needed.

I'm tired.