Cannon Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 The GripBoard Proudly Certifies: Matt Hunt 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. Matt mashes the GripBoard Mash Monster Gripper - Level 1 Name: Matt Hunt Age: 24 Height: 6ft Weight: 200lbs Date of Feat: April 20, 2011 VIDEO: How Long Grip Training: I have been training grip the "right" way for about 5 months (was pointed to the GripBoard) now but have trained with grippers on and off with no idea what I was doing since 2006. Current Grip Training Program: I use my own custom program as of right now; I usually train with grippers 1-3 times a week depending on my schedule and recovery. Other Training Info: I think this comes down to satisfaction. I have squatted a lot of weight, deadlifted a lot of weight, flipped 1100lb tires for sets, and loaded huge atlas stones but I have never felt as satisfied as I did when closing grippers. Closing the Captains of Crush #3 has to be one of my biggest accomplishments and I must say it was the most satisfying! So if you like grippers and are lacking the positive push in the right direction, implement a top notch workout set up and smash a hard PR gripper… it will make you feel like you are on top of the world! Acknowledgements: I would like to thank everyone from the board who has given me advice or helped me with questions that I could not find the answers too. Even though this person has been out of my life for years, I would just like to thank my strongman buddy Warren for introducing me to grippers and increasing my fascination with the best past time ever… SMASHING GRIPPERS! Matt Hunt, the 70th Man in the World to close the Mash Monster Gripper - Level 1. Back to the Mash Monsters Main Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 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 started lifting when I was about 14 or so with a weight set my brother had left behind. I was instantly hooked! From there I just kept progressing to new and exciting training aspects: bodybuilding, strongman, powerlifting… after some injuries I was forced to adapt and find something I could do that wouldn’t affect my back. As far as lifts are concerned now, I like to hit full body, “functional” movements like sand bag cleans, kettle bell swings, bodyweight rows, etc. How did you get into grip training? I was introduced to grip through a friend of mine who was an amateur strongman competitor. You are now a GripBoard Mash Monster, what would you recommend to those aspiring to close this gripper? REST!!! If you have a nagging issue, take time off and rehab… no need to make the problem worse. Injury will keep you from accomplishing your goals. What does your current grip routine look like? Currently I train grip 2 times a week with one workout focused on negatives and static holds. I usually hit recovery/ rehab work on my days off with the powerball, extensor bands, and the IM Egg. How has your grip routine changed since you first started training your grip? Before I just followed what was suggested by Iron Mind which definitely helped me progress but to get to the bigger grippers, adjustment was needed. I now follow a set up that was created by Terrygrip, a member of the board. Without his set up and suggestions I would not be where I am today. 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 its effect on your training? I actually have tried increasing the amount of overall volume but I see the best results with rest so one to three days max or I start to have problems hitting my regular workouts. What are your favorite grip exercises? My favorite grip exercises are crushing grippers (obviously!), Powerball runs with my signature series, rice digs for the extensors, and any sort of pinching because that is my weakest area. What kind of starting routine would you recommend for a trainee new to grip training? I think the best routine to start out with for a beginner is to work on hand health and correcting imbalances between the flexors and extensors of the forearm. The best way to go about doing that IMO is to use dexterity balls for 3-5 minutes on each hand in each direction (clockwise and counter-clockwise), 10-15 reps for 2-3 sets on an IM egg or similar product like the Iron Gloves line sold by Wade Gillingham at www.grippersuperstore.com, and rubber bands used for high rep extensor work, 50 reps for around 3-5 sets. I would say to complete this set up 2 or three times through, 2-4 times a week. Who do you most admire in gripdom? The people I admire most in gripdom are Chris Ryder for his incredible bending feats, Paul Knight for his amazing gripper closing strength, and Juha Harju for his intensity and well-rounded approach to all things grip. If you were to start over again with your grip training, what would you do differently? If I were to start over I would’ve looked into the details better back when I bought my first one (2006). I didn’t know how to set a gripper until recently and if I knew how back when, I would be way past where I am now! What do you believe is the most difficult grip exercise? The most difficult grip exercise has to be either lifting the blob or lifting the inch dumbbell… to me these feats seem impossible. What are some of your personal bests in grip exercises? DO axle- 330lbs for a few reps Pinch lift 2-35s Hub lift a 45 CoC #3 close Beef Builder Grand Master 5/8” handles close Beef Builder Elite close Atom Gripz Quad band close TNS an RB260N CoC #3 left handed close One arm snatch with an axle- 125lbs 5-10’s pinch (standard plates) Bending- HRS 6&1/2 inch 5/16” 6&1/4” square stock That’s all I can think of off the top of my head… More to come!!! What do you believe is the most common mistake made by new grip trainees? I would say the biggest mistake when a person takes up grip training is training way too much. We use our hands in all gym movements so we must let the hands recover or injury is going to happen. What do you consider to be the greatest grip feats of all time? 1. Paul Knight’s MM7 close as well as his Gold nail bend 2. John Brookfield’s card tearing extravaganza on national television 3. Rich Williams world record 500+ lb axle deadlift 4. Mark Felix Rolling Thunder world record of over 300lbs Do you have any parting advice for readers? 1. Stay committed… quitting will not get you to your goals! 2. Remember to rest or De-load! 3. If what you are doing isn’t working it is time to switch things up! 4. Have fun with grip training! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdeze Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Congrats Matt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIGHTYSAXON Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 congrats matt!!! awesome job man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timstruse Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 MM2 doesn't stand a chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strongman2332 Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geralt Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Congratulations on a job well done! Paul Knight better watch out hahaha! Damn fast progressing man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IROC-Z Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Congratulations, Matt. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankD Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Awesome! Great interview too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 MM2 doesn't stand a chance Agreed. The way you smoked the MM1, the next level should be in the bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six Barrel Shotgun Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Again, congrats Matt! Your on a fantastic roll!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzygä Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Congrats Matt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rico300zx Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Congrats, and nice write up to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strongman2332 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulw Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Well done mate, inspirational stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Nice job! Major props for the EFS shirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strongman2332 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 EFS fo life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorGrip Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Congrats my friend now onto the MM2 I am sure we will see that accomplishment in the not to distant future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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