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40m 30sm under the rain, on wet sand and with a damp surface of the dumbbell handles:

I say DAMN https://www.instagram.com/reel/CT0qvwTFEZA/?utm_medium=copy_link

Hi guys just want to announce date and events for this years Gripmas competition : In the middle of buying a house packing etc. so most likely going to be at a new location this year. More info to follow. events will be: 2 hand pinch on the Napalms nightmare. (2" pinch blocks). this is a 6"lift to a crossbar Silver Bullet- standard rules apply 2 attempts 1 hand Napalms nightmare ( 2.375" rolling handle) also a 6" lift Infamous gripmas medley more info to come. Saturday Dec 11th. at 10 am sandwiches, prizes etc $40 entry fee sure im forgetting something any questions hit me up with a DM or text me at 203-465-3169

This is a necessary formality. Thank you to @Tommy J. for sponsoring the certification. @Boulderbrew

After dedicating the first portion of this year completely to weight loss. Ive decided to pick up were i left off. Im going to start a new log that details my entire routine. I had planned on making a youtube videos or ebook but decided against that. There is already plenty of info out there on how to close grippers. Honestly its not my passion to teach others how to do it. My passion lies in training myself to be better. This first 9 months of this year i have lost 85lbs and will continue that trend. Ive taken up crossfit training and it has served me well. I also plan to continue my standard grip training regimen. Look forward to interacting with yall more. Much love, Stephen Anderson -kinney didnt close the #4

Yep. Still training for it Vinnie. Covid derailed my training when I was getting close to MM8 Cause I rely on commercial gyms since I live in an apartment and then I had some injuries. I was excited that I was getting up there again but recently strained my forearm so had to take it easy for several weeks but I’m back at it again. My best attribute has always been my dedication and resiliency. I am not quitting. I have come back from several injuries and I will again this time. CONGRATS DAVID!

I will give $100 to the Finnish Ball winner in both Women’s & Men’s OVERALL. In case of tie - lowest bodyweight wins.

I was wondering about Chez, and if he reads this would like to hear his thoughts. I know he has MMS closed COC 4s up to around 200, but he has been injured and come back a couple of times and I am not sure if he is back up to that again, or re-approaching it, or maybe even beyond it. I suspect he will get MM8 sooner or later, and I think that he is pursuing that more than CCS closes right now (but he can correct me if I am wrong of course). I'm not sure he has even done the 3.5 IM cert yet (although if you asked me whether I would bet on him succeeding at that, I would bet yes). Care to chime in Chez? I'm a pretty big Chez fan for the homie reason Tommy mentions, so I am rooting for him but not looking to speak for him. And Chez is young enough to improve, still -- he's still in his 30s. I'm in my 50s and still improving (not on trajectory to join any elite clubs though lol), so there is plenty of time for Chez to reach whatever elite gripper goals he may have. I have also very much enjoyed watching Anderson and Shamey's quick progress up the ladder. I'm staying tuned for more.

When it comes to wide sets and cards, I am sure that Carl is stronger than me. Significantly. My strength is deep set, if I want, I can close GHP 10, but this will not give me Coc 4 CCS)

227 Ghp 9, I know there are suspicions of whether its what its rated. However there is a key observation I've made recently, that is the measurements that are required for Ghp certifications. Last year Carl Myerscough certified on the 9 by filming himself clacking 216 for 2. In the video you can see clearly the measurement of the leg showed to be 7.85mm, being naturally inquisitive I decided to do some measurements myself. Here are some results: 195 rgc 4 = 7.84mm, 212 rgc 4 = 7.85, 213 rgc ghp 9 = 7.85. Carl's gripper 216 rgc has same 7.85 leg measurement as my 212 and 213, given that the rgc are very close to each other the spring shouldn't vary as much as per say the spread might. Nathan's Ghp 9 measured at 7.8994mm, as you can see the same result in hundredths spot for 216 212 213, so for a ghp 9 to measure at almost 4 more means the rgc of that gripper must be in high 20's. Therefore this is the highest rated close, one that does not require a tag to find the true strength of it.

That gripper close is absolutely mind-boggling! 206 rated gripper is literally a brick for 99.5 %

This is interesting to analyze, but I don’t agree with the conclusion. Here are my reasons: 1) In CPW’s experience, you need to rate a gripper to know what it rates. Or, at minimum have the gripper to compare so you can make a generalization. For example consider a #3 rated at 147 and another unrated #3. If the 147 is closed consistently in training, but the other is not, it’s safe to say the other is “harder than 147.” But it would be careless to declare a number. 2) CPW has rated 95 different GHP 9s. The highest is 220 and the lowest was 198. The average is 210. As above, you should rate a gripper to know what it rates, but the data is against a 220+ rating. I concede an outlier is possible but 227 or “high 220s” seems unlikely. On the other hand, Carl’s is certainly on the hard side at 216. 3) Spread is a major indicator of easy/average/hard but it’s not the end of the story. Really wide grippers are are rarely “easy” just like narrow grippers are rarely “hard” examples against peer data. But there is also mount which matters almost as much as spread. Finally, wire diameter which can vary by around 5 thousandths but is less of an indicator. From a manufacturing standpoint, the wire diameter is the tightest tolerance in the whole recipe. 4) The measurements Nathan took confirm his gripper is on spec. The 0.312” spring measured 0.311” and the calipers when shown at zero were picking up and dropping a thousandth. The spread at 2.93” is average for GHP. Based on measurements alone, I don’t think the gripper can be declared anything.

That 195 #4 is from CPW’s competition set. I offered to loan it to Ivan because..well… I wanted to see him close it!

you'll never go wrong with that

The tips tester itself isn't dangerous at all, but going to a competition and trying to set a PR with out enough experience is a recipe for disaster. It's probably a good idea for contest organizers to preface events with a warning, but ultimately we're all adults and responsible for our bodies. Even not counting grip, I don't think there is a such thing as a "dangerous lift", just a mismatch between intensity and tissue ability. You can take any supposedly dangerous lift, start out with baby weights and gradually increase over time just like everything else. All of exercise is just progressing load over time and watching tissue adapt to the stimulus it's all the same.

Dangerous - V Bar - especially 1" - 2" isn't as bad for reasons already stated. Tips Tester or other "rim lifts" can result in pulley tears too easily. Way back when the "standards" were Grippers - Euro - and IM Axle dead lift (a sort of Big Three). Usually (almost always) some kind of odd lift and a Medley made up a contest. Medley's are where I like to see all the little goofy (or not so goofy) implements - with a time limit the weights and multiple items weights are usually lower making things safer. Almost all "friction" lifts like Blobs (pinch) etc are safe enough. This year Jamey is having Euro - IM Axle - double sledge lever in a rack - and a big Medley. No grippers for a couple reasons - one is I no longer have a full set - and two I don't like them much LOL. I think I've been the only one to ever have sledge events - they seem pretty safe so far - even going for max weights. So I do like what might be called odd lifts - Hercules Holds - Scale Weights hold for time - Sledges - Grippers in chokers - and on and on. When I came up with the Tips Tester it was to help with finger tip strength for climbing - only later did it get turned into a contest item. Injuries suck - try to avoid them if you can (obviously).

It’s also not just about the size. It’s the size in combination with an extreme talent for armwrestling. If all you’ve done is pull some big guy and then came to the conclusion that all others are the same, then you’re simply mistaken. I have a friend who clean and jerks a bit over 400 lbs, weighs a bit over 350 lbs, has absolutely massive hands, biggest forearms I’ve seen in person, crushed a CoC 3 with a deep set the first time he touched a gripper, lifted a blob50 first try and hoisted 180kg on a smooth axle the first day he tried. And I took him with relative ease while being an 75-80kg novice. I had only been armwrestling a few months at that point. The dude is crazy strong and has insanely strong hands and forearms. However, it just didn’t seem to translate to armwrestling. Sure, he’d probably beat 95% of the other guys in the gym. But he’s not one of the freaks me and Tommy are talking about. Those freaks are on another level. They are rare, but they do exist. And they could easily have passed by at the streets of New York that day and made Schoolboy look like a complete amateur .

Can I go on that slump please?

Vertical bar lifting is one of my favorite lifts. If done right the danger Of it is not any greater than any other lift. All have inherent “dangers”, There is a danger in all lifts and if one doesn’t want to compete in that lift then by all means skip that competition. It’s like saying arm wrestling is dangerous and you may tear a tendon, ligament or break an arm which of course there is that possibility or a biceps tear with a mixed grip deadlift!! Then you shouldn’t do it if you are afraid of it. If the fear of a certain lift has you that adamant about it then don’t do it but don’t limit it from competition for others who enjoy it or excel at it because there’s possibilities of an injury. I’m all for limiting or eliminating the silly little implements we see coming out every other week and not contesting those because they are just that.. silly, and lifting tiny weights on them is quite boring and the general public most certainly would laugh at it , but V bar type lifts are exciting and haul up some great poundages IMO. Grip is quite boring to most on the outside looking in, but a nice VBAR lift makes it a little more interesting.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Gripsters from Finland and Ukraine have banded together to sponsor an additional class for lightweight women! This new class is 57 kg. This brings the total number of women’s classes to five: 57 kg / 72 kg / 84 kg / 100 kg / 100+ kg. The overall women’s champion will be declared “The Queen Kong of Grip”.

This is my first close of this heavy gripper. Earlier I closed a lighter copy, about 80 kg RGC, but this one at near +83 until this day was inaccessible to me. The second video - attempt on 110kg LBH, after hard grippers workout and 10 sets with FBBC GrabBall. I dedicate this to my great Friend and Motivator. For the Man who invated me to this sport - Igor Kupinsky. For his upcoming Birthday! And I want to wish him that the gift that he wants to give himself will succeed, and we all will remember it as a Great Feat of strength and grip! And perhaps the beginning of a new page in the history of this sport!!!

Today’s training hg300 10 reps right 3 reps left ghp7 block set 3 reps right failed mms left coc 3 ccs failed right failed mms left cobalt mms 1 rep right hh300 3 reps left Ghp7 mms 4 reps right hg300 2 reps left hg300 8 reps right 1 rep left coc 2.5 20 reps right 9 reps left

Typically the guys who go on to manhandle big grippers do so in fairly short order. So I suspect he’ll do big things if he’s honing in on a #4 this early. although the above is sort of a common belief, and a good note, it’s not a rule. There have been other #4 closers that took years of grinding to get there. Paul Knight was one of those guys. I think the very first time he touched grippers, he couldn’t quite close a #1. Then almost 11 full years later he was closing big grippers including a few #4’s, and was even the first MM7 cert. I suspect Tanner for example will eventually be closing #4’s also at some point. Especially if he specializes a bit with grippers. so while most guys who are strong on grippers out of the gate do go on to have some impressive closes, it’s not a determining factor of who else will or won’t do the same. but with respects, I think the only 2 names that can be mentioned on merit based achievements as legit #4 cert candidates at this time are Carl and David. everything else is only honorable mention. But… if im forced to participate in the honorable mentions thing, I’m throwing Stephen, Morgan, and Chez’s names in before Ivan. At this time. I mean but hey, if Ivan goes on to cert the #4 some day, (which I hope he does) then great. Right now tho he’s only got like 10 miles between where he’s at currently and where Carl and David are at. And I mean if we’re being real, there is actually almost a half mile between Carl and David.. I dig that your turning the volume up for a homie tho. Trust me, I get it.

I definitely think my boi @Ivan Cuk is potentially another candidate for the #4 cert

Honestly while Carl is indeed the closest to you at the moment on grippers, there is no need for any rivalry at this time. You will win. although if you wait too long to certify the #4, it is possible that Carl could be the first to certify the #4 with the credit card set. as far as Nathan Holle, IMO he had many years he could have re certified on the #4 under the newer stricter rules, but never did. Unless he proves me wrong, I’m gonna go ahead and say that his time for that has passed. I believe both David and Carl can get the #4 cert. it’s simply a matter of who will be first. btw, is it not crazy to think that there are finally people (plural) walking the earth that we know can certify the #4?.. everyone thought it to be impossible for so many years. Now here we are drooling waiting on one of these guys to finally just do it! Lol! edit: there is also a guy from Russia that can certify the gold nail under the strict conditions Ironmind requires. Like, right now! WTH are you guys waiting for?

Took my left hand 4-5 months of rigorous training to catch up to my right hand. Which at this point can close the #2.5 for 7-10 singles. But the right hand is also doing well as I managed to close the gripper with a CCS first time ever. Check it out!

@Kashtanthis is grip feat of the year absolutely dominated it.

You all know I dislike "nutcracker" style grippers but one thing we might all agree on is the difficulty judging them in a contest setting - fix that and it should the first event in a comp. See I did good - no gripper rant LOL. Second event should be David Horne Euro Pinch (and all available widths should be allowed). If "fat bar" gives a significant advantage to bigger hands then pinch should be allowed to benefit no particular group as much as is possible. Fat Bar third - 2" is the standard - bigger totally favors bigger hands as Inch lifts show pretty plainly. These should be done is this order I think as this seems to have the smallest effects on the next lift in line. Fourth event. Some sort off wrist event. There aren't that many good one's out there in my mind. I really like my supported Sledge Lever in the safety rack I made. Impractical of course but a lift that replicates the lever to the head that is what everyone thinks about as a strength feat with hammers. This is also where other big events should go - things like Hercules Holds - Scale Weight Holds for time - carries - etc. Fifth event is the catch all - some Sort of Medley. I believe the best indication of "all around" forearm and hand strength is shown with mastery of a Medley that includes a "kitchen sink" approach of everything one can find. I've never seen anything in Grip as impressive as watching Jedd - Andrew - Adam etc do World Class Feat after World Class feat one after another for 3 minutes or so.

1. Chalk only 2.Lift must be locked out with back erect. 3. Lift must be followed down 4. for loadable devices and plates 5 pound jumps plate weight only.

Awesome grip strength Igor

Again this is a high result as compared to our numbers. CPW has rated 344 IronMind #3.5s. Only 6 rated 189 or higher. All 6 date back to 2015 and earlier. I would love to cross-rate that 189 gripper. If you send it back with our 195 #4 (once you close it) we will rate it for free and return it to you for free.

Looks like this might be the answer. Jesus Christ...

I was curious to check the NAGS records. The highest contest close on record is 206 by Andrew Durniat (20mm block).

And I don't mean to leave Stephen Anderson out, I saw how fast he got to MM8 and how close he got on MM9, and I am sure he, too, could close MM9 if it is a priority for him.

I think MM9's days are numbered. I'm looking at you, Shamey ... but also Carl could do it if he chose, and from what I am seeing from Ivan, one would think he's not far behind those two.

Take this with a grain of salt. Picking numbers gets slippery (as in reason #1 above) but it's compelling when the unrated gripper is in hand and being compared to rated grippers by someone who is familiar and very in tune with their performance on rated grippers. In talking at length with Stephen Anderson about his perception of the Mash Monster grippers in comparison to his rated grippers and results in training -- He felt the MM8 was 195-200 and the MM9 is +10 at around 205-210.

I don’t know about you guys up north… but when “hold my beer” gets said here, what you’re about to see from that person is not gonna disappoint. Lol! And I’m talking anywhere.. in a bar, at a gas station, out on the road, at the race track, on the deer lease, at a shooting range, or even in a Walmart… lm serious. You recruit someone here hold a beer they ain’t allowed to drink, then you best impress. Or you ain’t getting it back.

Well sir, I humbly take back my assumption that he was nowhere near Carl or David, and am actually very excited to be wrong! There now exists 3 crush monsters, all at the same time! WTF! he looks fairly light as well. 210’ish?.. if so, he’s already one of the strongest pound for pound crushers ever. And i don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone his size plow through the sweep on a #4 like that. Hell, or anyone bigger do it either!

Session 1: Oneimp bends 7mm nail 7" x2 7mm nail 6" x2 Okay I know how to do it. Hands not conditioned for it though. Session 2: 7mm nail 7" snap DO crush and leg open 10.9 bolt from 125mm to 49mm! Very happy with that bend.

Bw 76kg Dips Bw x 10 Bw+10kg x 5 Bw+20kg x 5 Bw+30kg x 5 Bw+40kg x 5, 5 60mm Wrist wrench(3rd time trying) 15kg x 3 L+R 20kg x 2 L+R 25kg x 1 L+R 27.5kg x 1 L+R 30kg x 1 L+R 32.5kg x 1 L+R (previous P.R) 35kg x 1 R 0 L* Big P.R right 33.5kg x 1 L. P.R *few inches of air left 30kg x 5, 3 R x 3, 3 L Sledgehammer finger walks 12lbs x 1, 1 L x 1, 3/4 of the way R

Thickbar training today at my buddies gym so I got to try out some new implements... Axle Deadlift(2")-Worked up to 1x1(295lbs) 1x300(fail but pulled to about knee height) Axle Deadlift Block Pulls-1x1(300lbs) then I think I did 3 drop sets of dubs and trips followed by 1xhold(235lbs) with regualr grip and 1xhold(185) thumbless grip. Adjustable Thickbar(60mm)-Triples up to 3x3(180lbs?) Adjustable Thickbar(75mm?)-1x5(145?) Axle(2") Thumbless Reverse Curls-3x8(70lbs) It was so sh*tty to fail the 300 axle from floor full rom height but I can tell it's right their. From the blocks 300 was a fair bit easier. One of my main shorter term grip goals was doing a 300lb 2" axle deadlift. Good to know I'm nearly at that point. I'd like to get to be able to axle deadlift 315lbs on command any day of the week. Still a ways to go but currently my axle, 2" & 3" pinch and grippers are moving up so I can't complain. I'm hoping my RT has come along for the ride but I'm almost paranoid to test my 1RM on the thing haha. Hub is still abysmal but I also don't care much for it.

ATTENTION WEST COAST USA KING KONGERS: The Southern California venue hosted by Odd Haugen at his gym takes place 13 days before most other venues. It had been designated as Saturday October 16, but today it was changed to Sunday October 17. https://www.oddehaugen.com/2021-international-king-kong-grip-challenge/ https://www.oddehaugen.com/2021-international-king-kong-registration/

Wow, this is so neat. You pretty much made the perfect gripper set, picking up where Tetting left off and continuing to invent and improve.

Today's gripper squeeze report: So I am still in the epically intense phase of studying now, which limits my time spent recording stuff, but training has to go on Starters: various warm up sets starting from the CoC#1 all the way to the #2.5, all from a MMS. Yesterday I had a killer back/arms workout with a lot of grip-intense stuff in it. So today felt really hard, especially setting grippers. I think I'll have to think around this problem somehow, adjusting my gym work so that I can still do grippers at roughly the same level every time. Working sets: GHP8 MMS attempt, very similar to last time Left: pre-set Naval Ranks Count Admiral close. It's somewhat above my CoC#3 at around 156lbs CPW. I posted a while back that I would be taking it out of my set, but I changed my mind a lot, I'm really liking the feel of it now Another GHP8 MMS attempt, and here's where things started to happen somewhat oddly. I literally couldn't move it. It felt so weird, like if I had done like 8 heavy attempts with that hand before (which I have not). I guess the intense forearm workout limits how much energy you have for grippers the next day. Both left and right did some pre-set work with CoC#3 or above. I decided to not go 100% today, since all I had available to me felt like 85%. I don't like it when things like that happen unexplainably, it scares me regarding future certs etc., but luckily the lack of strength today is fairly easily explainable by the training yesterday. Literally all of it was grip-intense. I think I'll take a few days to recover again, keep away from working grip at the gym, and smash some more grippers! The GHP8 has to get shut! Off topic, but still, here's a pic of my small "monster gripper" collection :

This guy looks like Luke to me really quick when I see him.

Only DS, 38 is too wide for me I'm thinking of doing it this year

Here's the guy bending the Gold. Insane.

As I said to the other mods, we are probably watching the best to ever do grippers.

Tanner can you save some of whatever you’re smoking for me?