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Sl-ghi Choi (Morgan) now sits alone at the top of the MashMonster ladder. He is the FIRST to close the level 8 gripper! Morgan began his ascension to the top of the ladder over one ago when he closed the MM1 in June of 2016. This meteoric rise is likely the fastest climb to the highest levels of crushing strength ever!

It is difficult to go back in time and find the moment when Nate and I had contact the first time via the Gripboard, but I think it was somewhere in 2012 or so that I, out of the blue, received a Ghp7 gripper by US package as an encouragement to train for the Ghp cert, leading up to a possible IM#3 certification. We had talked back and forth about griptraining and more specific grippertraining. It was the beginning of an exchange of gripimplements, tulipbulbs and what more through mail between the Netherlands and New Jersey. We talked a lot, trained together by mail, Nate got his IM#3 cert, I missed it, but Nate continued to support me and lift me up whenever I had the occasional mental break down. We learned a lot about each others private life, family stuff, and seemed to get more and more familiair which lead to some kind of 'brother from another mother' band I guess. It was somewhere end 2015 that me and my wife Krista had talked more and more serious about making a trip to the United States, making lifetime memories, since we had seen a few examples in our close surroundings that sometimes postponing everything to later, isn't a guarantee that there will be a later. Of course I also talked with Nate through FB over our plans and it was already then that Nate invited us to come and visit them, even staying with them as his and his family's guests. In 2016 we made the plans seriously and knew we had to save a little bit more so plan were definitely made for 2017 as we would have enough time to plan our trip, look our for tickets etc, since making a trip to the States from the Europe with a family, is unfortunately an expensive business. Damn you, ocean. Nate thought of the plan to – by then – organise also a small grip gettogether, as an opportunity for me to meet some more guys like Chez, Anthony and more of the NY area guys which I also had known for some time by then. Little did we know this meet would grow, just that little bit more. Fast forward Tuesday July the 11th around 3.00 pm (one hour early) to a – for me- typical nice well maintained American suburb in West Deptford, NJ, United States. I parked our rentalcar for the house and my girls already walked up to the frontporch, still repeating the words 'How are you', as a final rehearsal for the next moment. They were very excited to enter the next stage of this already cool trip so far, as they loved New York city the last few days. A barking dog...a door opening...a big guy opens up the door, looking down at the girls. A few moments of silence and there is this moment at which it almost felt like seeing each other again after so many times, it felt so familiair. 'Wow man....you're actually here'...and me: 'Dude...this is so surreal..' A few hugs later me and my family were actually standing in Nate's house. I saw the so familiair blue wall from where Nate was mostly sitting when we were chatting. Everything fell into place. Maureen was in the kitchen. A firm and warm hug from her, while we kept being welcomed by Brooklyn, the housedog of who the pack leader Nate, assured me never barks, but as time learned us, only to people from the Netherlands and SJ4 contestants and their relatives and people and stuff in the world in general. Behind the bark however is a cute friend who is always in for a cuddle lol We would meet Pops, Maureen's father later, as he was sleeping at that moment. Abby, the daugher of the house, was still at her work. And there we were, welcomed by Nate and Maureen. Somehow it felt right from the moment we stepped in. The vibe was relaxed. Words like 'Mi casa es su casa'...'whatever floats your boat'...everything felt relaxed. They wanted to feel us at home. Made us feel so welcome. We talked a bit back and forth as you know how that goes, standing there...it was cool. Maureen showed us our rooms upstairs. Me and Krista had our own bedroom, as did my two daughters. I saw the beds made up so nicely. There were baskets on the beds with soap, shampoos, deodorant, slippers and towels. The girls also had a basked standing there, packed with little gifts. Imagine you and your family being welcomed like that. It was heartwarming. The girls felt so at home immediately. Later on we met Abby. As the days flew by, Abby was so sweet to my girls. It is – I think – so important that kids have positive experiences like this as it builds their confidence for going out and experiencing the world. It makes them more resistent for stuff that will come at them at later point in life. At no point Abby was directed by Nate or Maureen to say something nice to the kids, or needed to be encouraged to socialise with us, or that Maureen had to ask her to act nice. It would have been perfectly fine for us as she had proposed herself to us and then had been doing her own thing for the rest of our stay. But Abby was from herself, within, sincerely interested in us and she connected in such a very loving way to Femke and Marjolein, our girls. I am not saying this at all to 'bake sweet cakes' as we say in Holland. It is our sincere experience with this family. At a certain point we also got to know Pops. Nate and Maureen are taking care of him, as he is getting older and unfortunately has to deal with certain issues that life sometimes brings for people when getting older. Very admirable. Pops turns out to be a very nice soul. He likes to talk about his life in Brooklyn. His father, his work in the very hectic era that New York was in during his time. Racism, shootings, he experienced. He was this in NY and also saw changing this for the better. We talked about him seeing time changing for the positive, people getting more healthy, which he finds wonderful. Pops was a gentleman for us, being very nice. Never pushing for a conversation, but happy to have one when you sit down with him. At night he watches old westerns. 'That's how this country was in the beginning'. He likes those very much. Sometimes you almost wouldn't notice him being around. Even with the big SJ4 crowd moving in the house later that week, he found his way. Observing people. He made some pretty good ones too, talking with him afterwards. Nothing negative he said btw. But I think it was funny the way he observed everyone that day, as you wouldn't think he didn't care, the way how relaxed he just walked around. As if there is a meeting like this every week. Pops not impressed. I also should not forget to mention Juliet and Jesse Lancaster. We met up with them the first evening and met their daughters April and Lilly, who turned out to be Femke and Marjolein's friends during their stay. Very sweet and interested people. April has been training grip and she's pretty fierce in her approach. If she stays at it, she can do strong stuff for sure. Juliet was Abby's swimmingcoach. Need to find a way to get Jesse into griptraining also. Tips are welcome. We loved those people. I call them friends. For sake of keeping this story a little bit readable, I need to fast forward again, to July the 15th. In short I want to mentioned these things we did / I saw, before the SJ4 went loose. Hamburgers at five guys; Wawa; trying not to create havoc for my recovery but still trying to lift some cool stuff in Nate's cellar; Play it again sports (I believe, second hand sports store with York plates and stuff like that. Very common in the US. For me as a European: not so much lol); Amish market (super breakfast and SICK pickles); my first live Baseball game; Lake Kandle; Homemade Pizza; Sunburnt shoulders; Nate and Maureen's breakfasts; Nate getting a message from Kody Burns that he would be attending SJ4 also, when we were in the car at some parking lot. I thought the windshields would crack when this sudden unexpected positive energy burst exploded from Nate. Luckily there were no innocent bystanders. July the 14th. Nate was clearly also pretty focused on the competition that week. He wanted that everything would go right. Up untill the last moment he was figuring out little details. Can't sum everything up, but details. Small things. Everything mattered. I think it showed. Try and organise a 50+ competitors contest. Already a few weeks have gone by after this competition. But think again about the time, effort and money that was put in the organisation by this guy in order for as many as people as possible, to have a good time. During the day we went up to the hotel. I met up with Rich Cottrell the night before already. Friendly loose guy. Sparring with Nathaniel about how things could be set up, throwing in his 2cts, but never enforcing his opinion. Great help I think. I only got to see the last few things of the preparations. Rich invested a big deal of his time in this for sure. In the evening before we had set up most banners on the walls already. That day I also met Joshua Henze and his wife Chante. Again, as I experienced a lot more that day and the next day, it's very surreal meeting up with someone you only have ever seen by photo's. Joshua is a soft spoken guy. Relaxed, listening to everything you say. Good sense of humor. Modest also. I you have ever read his log, he's not easy for himself. Not the guy to brag. He made the prices for SJ4. These are such freaking cool things. Creative craftmanship. Everyone I heard, seeing the prices he made, was in looking in awe at the sculpts he had made. Original and very fitting prices for this competition. Joshua was there all the time when stuff had to be moved. It was normal for him to throw stuff in his van, drive it over to the location and unload it there. Same for the way back. He was a big helping hand moving all the stuff that day. During the course of the day I also met the pick up crew, Jason Otto, James Retarides, and Bob Sundin. I can't recall for sure anymore if Rick Thorpe was also there by that time, but I met him later the next day. Later I also saw guys getting messages that Jedd was in town also already with Lucas Raymond and that Richard Sorin was also at the scene. It was getting real. BUT there was this man, arriving that afternoon from the airport, by the name of Acromegaman on the Gripboard. In the real world he goes through life as 'Delmar Carter'. No one, outside the gripscene, knows his alter ego Acromegaman and probably that's for the best. You want to see him as he is, the soft spoken guy with big hands and also a very good sense of (dry, spot on) humor. If people would realise what he is capable of bending wise, no one would let his kids come near this force of nature. So it probably for the best this way. Lol, that said, I really can say seriously that I can't imagine that there ever will be someone not like Delmar. We spoke a lot, I learned about his coffee with pepper and more peculiar stuff. In seriousness, Delmar has dealt with some serious stuff in his life. He told me about his past in medical way and I have the utmost respect in how he dealt with that. Delmar is a very cool guy in every way and I just needed to mention this. Also, he turned out to be the livesaving trouble shooter the evening before the comp, by advising how to get the wiggle out of one of the contest implements. Not going into detail. He got paid for that with coffee from Wawa, I learned later on. I had the great experience that day of dragging out 'just a few' Rogue plates from Nate's basement. Rubber mats. Stuff. Loading pins. Nate was relentless. No one was spared during preparations. There was a goal to be met. A dot on the horizon. The sun had already lowered at a certain point. There was no return. Every was set in motion. South Jersey 4 was going to happen within a few more hours. But first, sleep. BUT NOT UNTIL THE NEW YORK GUYS HAD ARRIVED THEY SURE TOOK THEIR TIME but finally....there they were! Maureen had warned me already. But it was too late. They were there and they meant business. And now there was no way back. Anthony William, Michael Phillips, Jose Cabrera and Anton Torrella. They are like a pack of Wolves, like Disney could have portrayed and I mean this in a funny good way. There is Jose, you can see this guy thinking. Not afraid to speak his thoughts, but in a thought out manner. Fierce, but friendly. But don't mess with him. Michael Phillips, you maybe remember him as Jesus from an earlier SJ competition. He's more in the background, but a very funny guy. Anton. This guy presents humor in the truest sense of the word. If you want to have a laugh, this is your guy, but as I will write later, if you talk about a loyal friend, I know for sure you will find that in him. That goes for all of this crew. Anthony. Anthony is also more on the background. But his observations are spot on. He knows what is going on. Also not the biggest guy in length, but he makes up for that with his heart. You know, Red nail certs and stuff like that. I talked a lot with Anthony also through PM. We connect. Also, Anton contacted me when he heard I was going to visit the states with my family. He told me a lot about his family and family history in NY. All in all this pack consists of guys who at first sight don't seem to take life too seriously, but in the end these are people you can count on if you may call them your friends. Also, who I met that day, were the two Matts, Hunt and Kraenbring. Kraenbring is one of those guys you can bring in for the first time to a gripevent and he just certifies the CTD. After the comp. Because he can do that. Easy. Why not. Because I'm Kraenbring, you know. Tsssshhhh Matt is starting to understand by now that he is doing some pretty awesome stuff already, if he stays at it, some more cool stuff is going to happen. Cool guy, we spoke a lot, but not enough. Time was so short. The other Matt, man we laughed. As time went by on the comp day, we seemed to connect more and more, this guy also has a great sense of humor. We been a bit in the same line of business. We just had fun. Like with most guys, we just didn't talk enough. Shame everything went so quick! The Matts drove me back from the hotel to Nate's house and they left, going to mentally prepare for the next day. With the NY gang arrived some time later, we talked a bit and from all impressions....I was tired. A slumbering phase for a few hours was welcome. Some blankets were also thrown into the pit below (Nate's cellar) where the NY gang was going to slumber that night. Everyone was going to prepare for the event the next day. I can imagine there have been done a lot of praying, sleeping and meditation. Everyone dealt with the excitement in his own way. Nate....he was just overthinking everything. But every detail had been addressed. The event was soon to start. To be continued.

I'm going to be trying John Phong style of training (http://www.johnphung.com/blog/6813/how-i-hit-prs-all-the-time-and-how-you-can-too/) for grippers. I used this a little in Powerlifting but I think it might work for grippers, we'll see. I'm using MMS, David Horne 20/30mm set block, GHP set block, CCS and a block I made to bridge the gap.

So I was in Munich, Germany and decided to meet my good and old friend Christoph Koch. Honk here on the gripboard. I actually met him long ago in 2007/2008. And we stayed good friends (Gripboard power ). He as usually is nice, gentleman, and strong. So I flew to his place 400 KM form my place. Nice weather and nice town. Loved the nature there. Met his parents they are so kind and welcoming and made me feel like my home (Thanks again!!!). So now to what we did in Grip We went to his home gym. It was like any typical cool grip gym. He has almost everything grip wise. I have bad knee's (healing), bad back (healing too), and bad right wrist (also healing). His strongest gripper was a 2005 smooth CoC #3 rated @ 154 and I closed it. Was ok. Did also on barely new smooth 2-hp euro. Zero rust and chalk. Did 85K full lift and didn't know the tilt thing. Then I knew about it and did on the 90KG. Didn't do a full lift but very close. Honk told me on a well seasoned two hand euro pinch I can get around 102.5KG. Maybe more but plus minus (correct me if I am wrong Honk). Did few baby inch lifts normal and thumbless (did I do it thumb-less honk? Can't remember well). Then did one hand axle deadlift to 70KG or 80Kg normal and thumbless grip too. My wrist hurts a lot when I do thick bar. But slowly healing. Had a cast last year because of DU bend. I also thank God I didn't attempt my MMG1 cert here as Honk is as bad as me in filming closes so that would've been a big fail haha. Now I have time to practice it on camera more. Did two easy 15KG plate pinch. That is cheaters plate according to Honk. They have round rims which will hold more for friction. As for wide pinch he had three blobs which was the 35 and 38.5 fatman and the either 42.5 or 45 York Blobs. I clean all of them. Then he had one very amazing blobl replica made out of wood. Same exact specs. I did it plus 15KG which translate into 24 or 25 KG. That was harder than the blob50 I assure you. He said that he believes that too and Frankyboy also. And that lift equates to blob50 plus 6 pounds more. That was nice to hear. Especially doing from the more slightly rounder side (yes second generations blob and even the fatman has the more slightly rounder side). We enjoyed breakfast and lunch with his family. Loved the food thanks! And then He drove me around 250KM to Dusseldorf airport. All in all I had an amazing day @honk. I spoke for myself and will let Christoph speak for himself and correct me for my mistakes of forgetting haha. Can't wait for our next meet up my good friend

Well it wasn't pretty, but I bent the nail in front of my ref under Certification conditions. Just gotta wait to hear back from IM to make it official. This was my worst red nail bend yet. My hand placement was wacky and I got overzealous. Oh well, still made it happen.

Arguably now one of the best documented crushes in history (if not the best?). I asked Morgan (is GB name) to drop into the well and answer your questions. Remember, questions will only be open for 7 days but he has a couple weeks to respond as well and try and answer your questions.

I train once a week. I use grippers, FBBC pro dumbbell and weight plates for pinching. My primary grip tool is grippers because of mm and coc certificate. pro dumbbell and pinching plates are more like finishing exercise. * training program 1. 20~30 min light cardio, shoulder press 4~6 sets, incline press 4~6 sets, 5 min break (I usually use suicide grip so I can save some grip strength. If you feel dangerous, you can just use the machine with suicide grip.) During this 5 min break time I usually massage my hand with warm to hot water. This is my warm up thing before grip work out. 2. Choose a gripper that I can almost close(less then 5mm left) and I try to close it. Do only 1 rep and that is 1 set.(I usually use choked gripper or do mms.) This is not a negative work out so after trying to close it for couple of seconds, I just let it go no matter I close it or not. If you have closed the gripper at this time, move on to the next gripper(RGC +5 lbs) at next set or next grip work out. 3. bench press 4~6 sets, decline press or cable fly 4~6 sets, 5 min break (this should take about 20~30 min) (again, easy on the grip when doing weight lifting) 4. Repeat 2. 5. Squat 4~6 sets, leg curl 4~6 sets, 5 min break 6. Repeat 2. 7. Leg extension 4~6 sets, triceps cable extension 4~6 sets, 5 min break 8. Repeat 2. 9. triceps dumbbell extension 4~6 sets, some ab work out that does not use grip strength, 5 min break 10. finish set with either pro dumbbell or plate pinch. * There are a lot of weight lifting between sets but the main idea is not becoming exhausted but keep your body warm and having enough rest time for your hand. * I highly recommend doing warm-hot water hand massage. To me this is the best warm up before grip work out. * I never over train and I usually finish within 4 sets. * I usually do my back, biceps work out right after 10. or at the next day. This way I can have 6~7 days of recovering period. * During one week of recovering period I try my best to avoid any possible weight lifting that envolves grip strength. So, basically I can not do back, biceps work out until next grip work out. I used to do heavy deadlift and heavy pull down with out strap and I think that gave me a good starting point for grippers.

Crush it brother. I believe this will be the first trip for the MM1 to United Arab Emirates. The Mash Monster Certs become more global every year!

I requested Morgan go into the Grip Well to answer questions. Hopefully, he accepts and we learn more about his training, goals, etc.

Trying to get back on the road... SJ4's bending was great to get the fire re-started. BOUGHT some of those "cut spike" vintage nails from Tremont Nail in MA. Got some of the 60d and 70d cut spikes. Just tried one of each before work. It will be challenging to get these to bend centered. I wonder if using DO is the wrong approach to get the bend started.... but I also have a new training partner... or at least an advocate...A coworker gave me this case of beer...

I wrote it as I have experienced it buddy. I just sat down with a cup of coffee and typed away. I realise it's long but I also want to show my appriciation for everyone who helped us enjoy this trip so much, of coure specially the Brouses. The people who are interested will read it anyway I figured so that's why I decided to not cut lines when I was finished and realised I had been typing for two hours .

That is inhuman! Morgan, please type the letters and numbers seen in the following image:

Here is my second attempt video. I think it was closed for less then a 1/2 second in the beginning but I decided to cut and throw this away because the closing part was too short.

The GripBoard Proudly Certifies: Sl-ghi Choi ************* GripBoard Mash Monster Level 8 This certification is granted by The GripBoard as an independent third party with no ethical or commercial conflict of interest. The Mash Monster Gripper is one of a limited number supplied and controlled by The GripBoard. The gripper is closed with one hand under strict and uniformly ethical and authenticated conditions. This momentous feat was demonstrated on video to assure it will be valid for posterity. Official Mash Monster Video Name: Sl-ghi Choi Age: 26 Height: 6'4" Weight: 220 Date of Feat: 8/13/17 Witness: N/A How Long Grip Training: 1.5 years Current Grip Training Program: Once a week, combine with leg and chest work out. Other Training Info: Weight lifting right after grip work out. Other Info: Hand size, 8 inches Acknowledgements: I want to thank the Gripboard for giving me this opportunity. Sl-ghi Choi, the 1st man in the world to close the Mash Monster Gripper - Level 8

Fresh out of the package and got it closed to about a cm or 2.

Marketing and money will grow grip. Pushing for more grip in Crossfit will grow grip. Grassroots efforts might grow grip. None of these have anything to do with the axle. To set a woldrecord on the axle in the 59, 66, 74 or 83kg class requires a double bodyweight deadlift. Which is easily obtainable while still staying skinny. Take my example I was able to deadlift 160kg x 2 @ somewhere between 71 and 75kg and 5' 11'' which means really skinny. Yet I never did any strength training for more than 12 months without major breaks. Which tells me, that level of deadlift can't be that hard to achieve. Now my back is well beyond repair and I might never be able to do any heavy deadlifting again. But I don't try to bent a sport to cater to my special needs. Which in turn would mean disrespecting the efforts of anyone who put up any number on the axle in the last 15 years.

We're headed to the Black Hills and then Yellowstone

Agreed. To me the biggest reason to get either is to fill the appropriate gap in your gripper progression. For example, good luck finding a 160s IM gripper. But GHP8s will go in the 160s.

Sup my friend? Lets say I don't agree on these points. Didn't David Horne started a grip comp back in 1991 or close to it? As for the second bold sentence. You said it yourself. Powerlifting doesn't use Axle because it is not a GRIPSPORT. And as for the last bold sentence I don't think so. Grip sport had way waaay more people watching when the big implements were used like in mighty mitts and so on. Just being logical here buddy. I agree here and especially the bold paragraph. Not sure but if we believe his specific CoC#4 close on his video then we should take his other words. Like squatting 440 LB's for 60 reps and passing the Inch dumbbell effortlessly from hand to hand. So based on these claims I think he will easily do very good numbers on the Axle. (again, all his claims are just claims, not proven) So what's your point here? Yes genetic helps a lot and we should deal with it and train harder. Answer in blue above. The lighter you are, the easier to do more bodyweight DL/c&j and so on. So this example cannot be used. While I do agree to give one or two advantages for the lighter weight. All in all, I am for the Axle. When I do my grip comp and Organization. I am for the Axle (I have a bad back myself can't dead-lift much never-mind the Axle, hmmm maybe a single hand axle?). Genetics is part of life. Get over it. Luck is also part of life. Get over it. This year WSM was won by Eddie Hall. Thor said it was a cheat they didn't count his one rep the viking press which if they did he wouldd've won. Brian Shaw got injured and IMO would've won it if no injury. So luck plays a part also. What written for you will happen. Train hard.We need whats better for the sports as a WHOLE. Let's not just look at what I want or need.

I use more with adjustable choked gripper then torsion spring gripper. The only reason is that because I can increase the weight little by little. I used to do crazy diet plan for bodybuilding but not any more. I eat the same as other people. Having enough sleep at the right time is very important to me.

What is your current routine and how has it changed since you first started training. How do you avoid getting injured given your crushing at super human levels? What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far? Do you have any unique training concepts that have helped you progress to this super high level?

Apparently I never created a thread for his first attempt at the MM8. Morgan is going for Round 2 and the gripper ships tomorrow. @Morgan Time to make history!

Officially Starting Nats Prep... Here we go. DB Standing Unilateral Calf Raise BW+30 x 30 sec BW+60 x 30 sec Barbell Deadlift Off Blocks (just above knee, straps) 535 x 5 625 x 5 675 x 5 725 x 5 775 x 5 Frame Deadlift (17.5in pick, straps) 595 x 2 685 x 2 775 x 2 865 x 2 915 x 2 715 x 5 (was supposed to be 685, plate math was off) 685 x 5 x 2 -was good for a few more at 915, but didn't want to push beyond that weight in my double sets without a little more training Hang From Farmers Handles (set them up in rack) BW x 9 sec BW+25 x 9 sec BW+45 x 9 sec BW+70 x 9 sec BW+90 x 9 sec BW+115 x 45 sec BW+90 x 30 sec (held at fingertips)

Stopped my car on the side of the road for this. He didn't make it look like it was the hardest he ever did unbelievable.

Congrats Sl-Ghi! Amazing crush, new Top of food chain MM ladder! Just Epic win, this day make of history! August 15 17'' - member this.

Huge congrats Morgan! Top of the pyramid. It would be awesome to see you attempt the MM9. If you had to guess the rating on the 8, what would you say?

Morgan, you're the best now. Thank you for raising the bar. I hope others will aspire to challenge you.

Just made history..... I can only imagine where he will go from here.

2 whites, and 1 red. Congrats to Morgan! He is the first man to close the MM8. What made it difficult to judge was the distance from the camera and angle as well. So, the one red was for it not being shut (not the set).

So a Juncker Pinch-wrench arrived in the mail on Friday. I opened it quickly and started starring it down. The design is quite simple a section of rectangular tube capped off on either end with a bit of sheet stock leaving a slot along one side open from the corner to about the middle. Through this slot runs a section of round bar with washers tacked onto it. There is just enough clearance between the washers and the pinch-wrench surface to allow good movement but not too much causing lateral shifting. The round bar continues to round out the frame and nests inside a collar designed to fit over the top of a loading pin. The pin hole in the collar is located toward the top. Overall the shape of the device is clean and well thought out. The things i really like is the way the round bar nests into the collar and the tall collar with the pin hole toward the top. These features give a very clean base and a very solid connection. There is almost no "slop" at the connection. The slot seem a bit too far toward center in my long fingered hands but that is just me. In use the ability to really wrench on your pinch attempts is quite nice. Turning the device around lets you emphasize the fingers or the thumb in the lift. If you have ever tilted a euro to pinch the weight up, the Juncker Pinch-wrench gives the exact same feel. Lifting in the more goose neck pinch position, the device is very challenging. If you lose your wrist position even the slightest bit, the round bar races down the slot away from your hand and with all but the lightest weights, liberates the device from your grasp. I could definitely see this device benefiting pinch and wrist training. A non-collared version also might be helpful to arm wrestlers working on a table. That is all for now, back to testing.

At the end of the day organizers include whatever lifts they want so its a meaningless discussion. No lifts have ever been 'banned'.

We are still in wait for the judges to judge.

And a little teaser. This came in the mail.

which is why I'm ordering a GHP 5 from you to help bridge the gap to close the CoC 2.5 since I'm so close. just trying to decide what else to order while I'm at it lol. LOVE Cannon power works

Yesterday, I took a rest day. Don't know why I was exhausted, plus feeling some soreness in the lower back, legs, & shoulders... & I ate a lot of junk food... Still was feeling the effects of yesterday! 20 minutes on exercise bike Band pull apart 3x10 BB good mornings 3x5 empty bar *going slow through each rep* Overhead squats 3x5 empty bar *Hips were tight as a MF'er!* Snatch from the floor 1 rep *did a lot of sets, wanted to work more on the technique side... My heavier lifts looked like a sloppy muscle snatch* Front squats 5x2 *did some heavier weight, felt good... I may train them instead of box squats on monday... Finisher 1x50 resistance band rows Sledgehammer finger walks each hand 2.5 lbs added 5 reps Then 5 quick reps no added weight Did some card tearing... out of touch with that Tomorrow might be more BTN snatch grip push press & more cardio *3 CERTIFICATION UPDATE* Got an email that Ironmind found a referee for my attempt! Looking forward to it & getting nervous about it at the same time. Hopefully, it's soon!!!

Dear all our patient customers, Haha, makes this sound formal. Really, Kristy and I are taking a much-needed vacation. We'll be gone for about a week-and-a-half so orders placed between Friday the 11th and Tuesday the 15th won't go out until after the 15th. Thanks for your patience. We're a family business and it's family time. Then, back to work. We hope everyone is having a great summer! Matt and Kristy

I also reached max with my left hand at my first attempt but I forgot to record. Thank you @Squeezus!

I think the hardest choked gripper that I closed is BB Pro Narrow (RGC221) with 1.5cm setting. Cannot tell for sure but I think I get the best result from this setting due to my hand size.

Yesterday was just cardio... Today, feeling like I've overtrained, also exhausted. Work has been busy lately. But, still it's a training day! 20 minutes on exercise bike Did some hip & triceps stretches Warm up 2x10 each KB swings & KB goblet squats Rotator cuff movement & band pull apart Indian club movements interior & exterior 5x2 cleans off of modified blocks Clean from the floor & push jerk 1 rep *did many sets, wanted to work technique... Knowing me, did a real shaky 255... Again, damn right tricep tendon acting up... With these Olympic lifts, been training without a belt & elbow sleeves* 5x5 front squats *May do them again Friday* Finisher 1x100 resistance band rows Ate after, was starving... Probably, not eating as much as I should... I think I should take tomorrow off & get a big Italian sub sandwich... Or hit the heavy bag... *3 CERTIFICATION UPDATE* Well, forgot about it, life is getting in the damn way! Filled out the questionnaire & heard back it's accepted. Now, waiting to hear about a referee!... I did do 3 CCS closes with the 3 without any real warm up. It was in between sets of front squats.

Beer helps

Give this a read: https://cannonpowerworks.com/pages/ratings Then check this out for the average ratings for various models of grippers: https://cannonpowerworks.com/pages/grip-strength-ratings-data

Monday/Tueday 8/7-8/17 Dumbbell Bench Press (holding lockouts at top- focusing on lefty) 25 x 12 60 x 8 90 x 6 115 x 12 x 2 115 x 10 18" Frame Deadlift 195 x 3 375 x 2 555 x 1 700 x 3 x 3 -fairly easy Barbell Seal Row 145 x 10 x 3 -felt a little better on biceps Farmers Shrugs (using 1.25 in powder coated handles) 285 x 8 sec x 2 245 x 30 sec x 2 Log Strict Press (out of rack) 135 x 2 160 x 6 170 x 5 185 x 2 x 2 195 x 2 x 2 205 x 2 x 2 220 x 2 x 2 Log Clean (testing these out on the arms) 135 x 3 x 3 -no issues Band Triceps Extension Purple x 10 x 3 Dumbbell External Rotations 15 x 20 x 2 15 x 15 Dumbbell Biceps Curl 25 x 20 x 2 25 x 15 x 1 Band Pullover/Face Pull Orange x 60 x 3 Atlas Stones (single motion, spray tack) 75 x 3 100 x 3 120 x 3 150 x 1 -just testing these out on arms, still a little tender but not bad

You can use a loading pin and some plates (I like bumpers best) and make an adjustable weight "stone". This worked well for me.

July 29, 2017 Went up to Edmonton for some throwing. 15.5# Braemers - okay 23# Braemer - meh 42 Single Spins - forgetting how from doubles practice 28 Single Spins - crap throws 14# Hammer - bunch of throws. Jim pointed out my orbit was flat. Next throw I hit 95 and next was 93. Never thrown that far 16# Hammer - 4-6 throws Later I tried lifting Aaron's 250# smooth granite stone. Nope. I was too greasy but I think it'd have me stymied under optimal conditions now anyways. I did a full lift with a 225# D-ball (like a slam ball without a bunch of texture). Went for supper and lifted and loaded the 250# D-ball. Next time up I'll try the 300.

Congrats!

Workout week highlights Sunday- Do Axle deadlift up to 309# x 1 x 5 sets got them all but it didn't feel great. Heavy/slow. Monday- DB Bench feet up- 125#'s x 7, 4, 4, 4. 60#'s x 22, 13, 15 Tuesday- 3 plate landmine thrusters + press (10 -12 rep range). Kroc rows- 125#'s x 20/20 Wednesday- cg ohp on smith machine. Arms Thursday- Strict pause db hammer curls (head back shoulders against post) 50#'s x 9, 8, 6, 6, 6, 6. Put FGX's on TRX handles and did thumbless inverted rows (AWESOME EXERCISE!) -If reading this must try. Friday- Barely slept last night workout had to be scaled down to adjust so did high rep back/arms