Chez vs The MM8: Whatever it takes

[Chez]

Another hotel gym workout last night:

Seated Smith Machine Shoulder Press

165 lbs - 3x

185 lbs - 3x

205 lbs - 5x

- machine says the empty bar is 25 lbs so I factored that in above.

Seated Dumbbell Arnold Presses

50 lb DBs - 3 sets of 10x. Heaviest DBs in the gym. Just wanted some extra volume.

Dumbbell Rear Laterals

25 lb DBs - 3 sets of 10x

Strict Kettlebell Front Levers

15 lb KB - 8x, 10x, 10x each hand

Rear Kettlebell Levers 

20 lb KB - 10x, 10x, 12x each hand

Single Leg Legpress 

100 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

120 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

140 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

160 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

180 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

200 lbs + bodyweight (285) - 8x each leg

- one of those leg presses where you lift yourself and stack up a slanted ramp.

Lying Leg Lifts

3 sets of 15x

[Chez]

Gotta update the log later today with my past 3 workouts but I’ll mention that yesterday I went to a training session with the nyc guys and tried the next two grippers in my collection that I need to conquer to get the MM8. I didn’t feel “on” yesterday but I gave them a shot anyway. First pic is my 203 COC #4 and right after I tried my unrated COC #4 which feel like 201. Here are pics of how close I got. I think on a good day I can get the unrated one so that is the gripper I will hunt down first. 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

Argh! Way behind in the log again. Training has been going great though. Making progress on everything. Instead of writing a novel trying to write up all the workouts I haven’t logged, I’m going just log yesterday’s workout and try to get back on track:

Standing Overhead Barbell Press

3 warm ups

165 lbs - 5x

190 lbs - 3x

210 lbs - 4x. Nice! Was only planning for 3 but I’m feeling good today so I went for and got the extra rep. I think my max may be around 235 right now. I’ll test it once I stall on the current training cycle.

Slick 2.5” Crusher - no chalk 

4 warm ups 

155 lbs - single each hand 

157.5 lbs - solid single left hand - PR on my crusher. Slipped at lockout right hand.

150 lbs - single each hand 

150 lbs - good left. Partial lift right.

137.5 lbs - 3 doubles each hand

127.5 lbs - 3 triples each hand 

Lat Pull Downs with Manus Grips 

180 lbs - 8x

190 lbs - 8x 

200 lbs - 8x

Close Grip Cable Rows with Manus Grips

190 lbs - 8x

210 lbs - 8x

230 lbs - 8x

Double Hand Strict Plate Wrist Curls

45 lb Plate - 3 sets of 12x

Double Hand Strict Plate Reverse Wrist Curls 

25 lb Plate - 10x

Single Hand Plate Reverse Wirst Curls 

10 + 5 lb plates - 2 sets of 10x each hand 

Notes - making great progress on thick bar lately. Thinking I finally figured out the perfect balance with grippers.

[Chez]

Very quick sledge workout tonight before bed:

Sledge to forehead - off hand on head

6 lb sledge - 10x each hand 

10 lb sledge - 10x each hand

12 lb sledge - 10x each hand

12 lb sledge + 2.5 mag weight - 3 sets of 12 each hand 

Front Levering 

6 lb sledge full length - 3 sets of 8 each hand

Pro/Sup

6 lb Sledge middle finger blue - 3 sets of 8x each hand

Extenors 

IM Red and Gold bands - 3 sets of 50x each hand 

Edited October 9, 2018 by Chez

[Kluv#0]

On ‎10‎/‎8‎/‎2018 at 8:00 AM, Chez said:

Argh! Way behind in the log again. Training has been going great though. Making progress on everything. Instead of writing a novel trying to write up all the workouts I haven’t logged, I’m going just log yesterday’s workout and try to get back on track:

Standing Overhead Barbell Press

3 warm ups

165 lbs - 5x

190 lbs - 3x

210 lbs - 4x. Nice! Was only planning for 3 but I’m feeling good today so I went for and got the extra rep. I think my max may be around 235 right now. I’ll test it once I stall on the current training cycle.

Slick 2.5” Crusher - no chalk 

4 warm ups 

155 lbs - single each hand 

157.5 lbs - solid single left hand - PR on my crusher. Slipped at lockout right hand.

150 lbs - single each hand 

150 lbs - good left. Partial lift right.

137.5 lbs - 3 doubles each hand

127.5 lbs - 3 triples each hand 

Lat Pull Downs with Manus Grips 

180 lbs - 8x

190 lbs - 8x 

200 lbs - 8x

Close Grip Cable Rows with Manus Grips

190 lbs - 8x

210 lbs - 8x

230 lbs - 8x

Double Hand Strict Plate Wrist Curls

45 lb Plate - 3 sets of 12x

Double Hand Strict Plate Reverse Wrist Curls 

25 lb Plate - 10x

Single Hand Plate Reverse Wirst Curls 

10 + 5 lb plates - 2 sets of 10x each hand 

Notes - making great progress on thick bar lately. Thinking I finally figured out the perfect balance with grippers.

Very strong Military press!!

[Chez]

56 minutes ago, Kluv#0 said:

Very strong Military press!!

Thanks Mike. Really pushing myself to improve my presses. I need that upper body strength to set the grippers I’m chasing. Got chest and arms tomorrow. 

[Chez]

Just got back from a great chest and arms workout:

Dumbbell Bench Press

Multiple Warm Ups 

110 lb DBs - 3x

125 lb DBs - 3x

140 lb DBs - 2x. Fun but awkward at this size. Heaviest I have ever used because this is the only gym I have been to that has them. This place has up to 200s

130 lb DBs - 3x

110 lb DBs - 8x. Back off set for volume 

Bench Press with chains

225 + chains - 3x

245 + chains - 3x

265 + chains - 2x

275 + chains - 1x

225 + chains - 5x

- chains weigh 22 lbs each. But not all of it off the floor at the top.

Incline Hammer Strength Benchmarks 

140 + black bands - 5x

180 + Black bands - 5x

230 + black bands - 5x

270 + black bands - 5x

Smith Machine Skull Crushers 

1 warm up

185 lbs - 8x

205 lbs - 6x 

225 lbs - 6x

235 lbs - 6x

Single Arm Preacher Machine Curls 

multiple warm ups 

70 lbs - 8x each arm

80 lbs - 8x each arm 

90 lbs - 5x each arm then 8x with both arms same time 

 

 

Edited October 11, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

8 hours ago, Hopefully said:

Strong Dumbbell presses

Thanks dude. My training partner is an insanely strong bench presser. He has worked up to the 160s. Last night tried the 170s but he wasn’t at his best last night. I’m sure he will get them soon. He has benched 405 for a double and 420 after a couple heavy singles in front me. Crazy thing is, he weighs Almost 100 lbs less than me (he’s like 190).  I have never met anyone his size out those type of weights up.

[Chez]

Time to get off my butt and update the log:

Saturday 10/13

had a family party in the afternoon so I needed to move quickly:

Lying Hamstring Curls

110 lbs - 10x

125 lbs - 2 sets of 10x

Leg Extensions

150 lbs - 10x

170 lbs - 10x

190 lbs - 8x

210 lbs - 8x

230 lbs - 8x

still nursing’s achillies tendinitis so working around it best I can

Machine Rear Laterals

120 lbs - 8x

130 lbs - 8x

140 lbs - 8x

Slick Flask 1 Hand pinch 

mutiple warm ups

76 lbs - 1x each hand

81 lbs - 2 singles each hand 

83.5 lbs - single each hand. That’s it today. For singles Thumbs feel beat up and flask extra slick

76 lbs - 2 doubles each hand

71 lbs - double each hand

71 lbs - 2 triples each hand

77 lbs - 3 singles with 5 second holds each hand. Right thumb skin tore on the last one

note - not worried about the so so flask workout since last was much better and the flask for kk is way more seasoned than mine.

Sunday 10/14

again quick workout but a great one!

Standing Overhead Barbell Press 

2 warm ups

145 lbs - 5x

170 lbs - 5x

195 lbs - 7x. Nice! May have had one more is I really went for it but I’m happy with 7.

Right Hand MMS Grippers

My typical long series of warm ups closes while doing light overhand presses and squats to keep my cns firing

194.5 Super Elite - easy single

Friends unrated Coc #4 - miss. It’s a beast. I would guess 210 at least. I didn’t get a good set so I squeezed a little and let it go. Didn’t waste the energy going all out with a bad set. Set def wider than mms. Friend said there was a 1/2” gap. Not horrible considering.

198 Grand Elite - Good! Had my buddy judge and told him to really scrutinize it. Happy since I don’t get this all the time in training. It feels harder than the rating just to a nasty set and sweep.

198 Grand Elite - just missed. Buddy said a hairs thickness literally.

198 Grand Elite - same result. Missed by a hair. Got light head on this one. Saw some stars

194.5 Super Elite - good close. 

194.5 Super Elite - Good close but just. Fatigue setting in.

174 RB 280 - 2 sets of doubles 

172 coc #3.5 - 2 sets of doubles 

165 Elite - 2 sets of triples 

158 coc #3 - 2 sets of triples 

- major fatigue

RBA Negatives with holds

6-6 - negative and 5 second hold

7-7 - negative and 5 sec hold 

7-8 - negative and 5 sec hold

8-8 - negative and 5 sec hold

- might be one of my strongest gripper sessions ever. So close to getting 3 GE closes one workout and I have never done that in training. Always good for more at comps and certs due to rest and focus/peaking.

extensors

red + gold IM band - 4 sets of 50x each hand.

Bleed for this.......

Edited October 17, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

Sending an email to ironmind tonight and writing it here before I lose my nerve. Time to step up.......

[Anton.Torrella]

About time! Looking forward to being there you beast!

[Donc101]

32 minutes ago, Chez said:

Sending an email to ironmind tonight and writing it here before I lose my nerve. Time to step up.......

Awesome! Doing it at Gripmas?

[Chez]

1 minute ago, Donc101 said:

Awesome! Doing it at Gripmas?

Yep. Go big or go home!

[Chez]

Last night’s chest and arms workout. I went a little lighter since I was tired and we are close to KK:

Dumbbell Bench Press

3 warm up sets

100 lb DBs - 5x

110 lbs DBs - 5x

120 lbs DBs - 3 sets of 5x

Bench Press with bands 

185 lbs with double red bands - 5x

225 lbs with double red bands - 5x

245 lbs with double red bands - 1x + 1 assisted rep

225 lbs with double red bands - 2x + 1 assisted rep

- my buddy tested the bands by hanging weights from them and thinks they are 60 lbs resistance each so 120 total and honestly it felt like it. Underestimated how hard these are

Inlcine Smith Machine Bench Press

225 lbs - 5x

245 lbs - 3x

275 lbs - 3x

245 lbs - 5x

225 lbs - 5x

Machine Preacher Curls 

100 lbs - 10x

110 lbs - 8x

120 lbs - 8x

130 lbs - 8x

Seated Machine Dips

180 lbs in plates - 10x

230 lbs in plated - 3 sets of 10x

 

Meeting up with the nyc crew today. Won’t be a full training session because I don’t want to fry my hand so close to kk. Just going to work up to an opener on each event so I have a plan for next week. These aren’t the great events for me but here are my comp goals:

1 HP flask - 90 lbs +

2.5 Crusher - 160 lbs +

Moon top - 45 lbs +

2.5 Jug - 200 lbs +

Edited October 20, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

Time to update the log. On Saturday, I met up with the NYC crew. The goal was to try all 4 events for kk and test just for my openers. My implements are crazy slick. I don't spend much time chalking and my stuff never seasons. We used Antons implements which are way better than mine. We are using another set of implements for the comp though which are even better. I needed to get an idea where I stand on more seasoned implements. Not a full training where I would fry my hand but a feeler day. Here is how it went:

Standing Overhead Press

160 lbs - 3x

180 lbs - 3x

205 lbs - 3x. These are min reps. mt press wasn't feeling great today. I just hit chest and triceps two days early which is less rest than usual. I hit the minimum reps and stopped. Cant hit a home run all the time. I was more focused on the KK events. This was just to warm up and the CNS going. 

One Hand Pinch Flask

while warming up, everyone mentioned the flask didn't feel right. I'll admit, it felt tougher than usual. It getting a little cold in NY (even though today was better than most days lately) and we train outside. Temp and humidity play a huge rule with pinch. I worked up to 80 lbs which I pulled with ease holding at then the top. Since the flask we are using at the comp is supposedly better, I'm thinking of opening at 82.5 lbs. Obviously I will adjust if its required on comp day based on warm ups. Pretty confident I'll hit my goal of 90+. I think I may PR. Happy with this

2.5" Crusher 

This was the biggest surprise of the day. As many of you know, I'm a gripper guy (duh :)) and its always been hard for me to balance thickbar with grippers. I have been working hard though and think I found a great way to make them fit so my thickbar has been improving. I worked up to my planned opener of what I thought was 150 lbs. It felt easy and I decided that would be my opener. I decided to weigh it though and to my surprise it weighed 160 lbs! I misloaded the weight, loaded more and it still felt easy. I use a super slick crusher. Its crazy slick. I don't even use chalk in training because of it. my PR on that crusher is 157.5 which I just hit. 160+ was my goal for the comp but now I think I need to adjust because the crusher we are using at the comp is suppose to be even better. I'm thinking of opening at 160 now and my goal being 170+. again, I will adjust on comp day if things don't feel right. 

Moontop

This and the jug are the two lifts I haven't gotten the least time on. This is literally the 4th time I have trained with this thing. Its been a busy couple months so I missed lots of training sessions with the NYC crew and when I did show up I didn't put time in on the moontop. It is what it is. A few weeks back I hit a PR with the moontop we are using at the comp just under 46 lbs. I think 45.9 lbs. But that was after an intense gripper session and it took like 20 attempts. This time I hit 46 lbs first time trying no problem and with anton's moontop which isn't as seasoned. because of this I'm thinking of starting with 42.5 lbs. hopefully I can hit 46 +. with the 60 seconds and switching hands I'm being more aggressive on everything. This is one of those events I get better the more times I try it. So i will warm up a lot. my hand likes adapts to it. strange. 

2.5" Jug

Again, I think I have tried this thing like 4 times for the same reasons as the moontop above. If you follow my log, you know I tore my bicep on the 2" V bar 1 week before the 2015 KK comp. rehab was a long road. I walked to the gym two days after surgery with a soft cast on my arm and started training the left side of my upper body and my legs. when I could, I had to start with a COC #1 for TNS closes while resting my forearm on my legs to make sure I didn't stress my bicep. It was very humbling for a guy who has closed a couple of COC #4s. This event is safer but very similar so you have to imagine this event freaks me out. I'm not as aggressive with it because. I pulled 185. Went for 200 but it didn't go (I felt it hovering) and I stopped there. It was getting late. the one we using at the comp is better so 200+ is still a good goal. This will be my worst event but it is what it is. Just happy to be back at KK

 

Overall Goal: Just have fun and remember that I just finished my first year back to competitions coming back from a bad injury. I'm happy how I have placed at those competitions considering. I'll keep chipping away and getting stronger. 

Edited October 23, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

Man. I’m exhautsed. I’ll make a more detailed update soon but I competed in the King Kong grip comp yesterday and placed 31 out of 210 (178 men). Not bad. I hit PRs on 3 of the 4 events. Made some mental mistakes on the first two events but it happens. I’ll learn from it and get better. Back to training as usual and getting ready for the next comp.

Edited October 29, 2018 by Chez

[kasparov]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

Man. I’m exhautsed. I’ll make a more detailed update soon but I competed in the King Kong grip comp yesterday and placed 31 out of 210 (178 men). Not bad. I hit PRs on 3 of the 4 events. Made some mental mistakes on the first two events but it happens. I’ll learn from it and get better. Back to training as usual and getting ready for the next comp.

That's a good results Chez congrats!

[Chez]

6 hours ago, kasparov said:

That's a good results Chez congrats!

Thanks bud. It was a fun contest. I will keep working on my weaknesses 

[Chez]

And I’m behind in the log again. I’ll try and catch up tonight but I had a great pinch session yesterday (2 hp pr on my slick flask) and gripper workout today. Closed my 198 lb grand elite today for the second straight workout which is the first time that has happened. I’m usually hit and miss with this gripper which feels harder than it’s rating. It’s starting to feel easier though and I am trying to make this a routine close soon 

Edited November 4, 2018 by Chez

[Chez]

Starting to feel real......

 

[Stephen Ruby]

Are you planning to cert at the gripmas still? I have been hearing the current 3.5 are the hardest they have been around the low 180 range. I don't doubt you will smash it no matter how hard it is, I hope you get the chance to take the record on grippers also for block set. I would love to see that at the Arizona contest where there should be some grippers in the low 200 range. 

 

Also have you noticed that with your gripper strength going up that thickbar strength has increased also? I just notice that a lot of strong grip guys tend to have fairly strong thickbar strength also. 

[anwnate]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

Starting to feel real......

Starting to?...  How about now?

[NealB]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

Starting to feel real......

 

So pumped for you man, I wish you the best with your training leading up to cert day. 

[Donc101]

5 hours ago, Chez said:

Starting to feel real......

 

I’m super pumped to see you smash it! 

[Chez]

2 hours ago, anwnate said:

Starting to?...  How about now?

The plot thickens!