Martin Kotte, Level 1

[Cannon]

The GripBoard Proudly Certifies:

Martin Kotte

As having closed the Mash Monster Elite Gripper (Level 1) with one hand under strict and uniformly ethical and authenticated conditions.

The certification is granted by the GripBoard as an independent third party with no ethical or commercial conflict of interest. The Mash Monster Gripper was one of a limited number supplied by, rated and qualified by, and controlled by the Board. This momentous feat was demonstrated on video to assure it will be valid for historical posterity.

Martin mashes the GripBoard Mash Monster Gripper - Level 1

Name: Martin Kotte

Location: Germany

Age: 35

Height: 1,88m

Weight: 120kg

Date of Feat: October 1, 2009

Witness: Frank Henritzi

VIDEO:

How Long Grip Training: 8 years

Current Grip Training Program: KTA for grippers and thumb training.

Other Training Info: Focus on benching.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Bill Piche for the GripBoard and the invention of the Mash Monster certification program.

Martin Kotte, the 62nd Man in the World to close the Mash Monster Gripper - Level 1.

Back to the Mash Monsters Main

[Cannon]

Could you tell us a little about your background in lifting?

(age, when started lifting, why you started, what you do now as far as lifts)

I have never done any real weight training in the past but I started with benching 3 months ago to improve my upper body strength for bending.

How did you get into grip training?

I had an accident and my right hand was injured. I started to train my hand with a store bought hand gripper but it was soon too easy so I searched for harder grippers in the internet. I discovered the IM Grippers and bought a #1.

You are now a GripBoard Mash Monster, what would you recommend to those aspiring to close this gripper?

Find a training routine that works for you and follow that routine constantly.

You are also a Certified Captain of Crush® How long did it take you from when you first started working on the grippers to closing the #3?

I'm not a Captain of Crush. It took me 2 ½ years to close a #3.

What does your current grip routine look like?

High volume Gripper training.

How has your grip routine changed since you first started training your grip?

When I started I did only grippers and grip feats that I where good at, nowadays I try to incorporate more of my weak parts such as widepinch and fatbar.

There seems to be a significant variation in the frequency of grip workouts among trainees even with the common goal of ultimate grip strength. Have you experimented with workout frequency and it's affect on your training?

I had the most success with high volume training with one exception, Bending. For Bending I've never needed much volume to improve.

What are your favorite grip exercises?

Wrist Curls and Bending

What kind of starting routine would you recommend for a trainee new to grip training?

Train the basics, something for the crush, pinch, wrist and supporting grip.

Who do you most admire in gripdom?

Gary Hunt and Joe Kinney

If you were to start over again with your grip training, what would you do differently?

I would concentrate more on my weak points than on my strength.

What do you believe is the most difficult grip exercise?

For me everything that's involves a Fatbar.

What are some of your personal bests in grip exercises?

Bend a King of all Bastards, 110 kg Wrist Curl, 95kg 2Hand Pinch

What do you believe is the most common mistake made by new grip trainees?

To train only the strong parts and neglect the weak ones.

What do you consider to be the greatest grip feats of all time?

Joe Kinney 's #4 close.

Do you have any parting advice for readers?

Train hard and don't hurt yourself.

[Benedikt Farsmann]

Great! Congratulations, Martin!