Chasing the #3

[JJM]

24.8.2020

Grippers / rolling thunder:

warm up: Guide & Trainer; GHP block set: 3 x 1 + 3 x 1 with both, #1; MMS: 1 + 1, #2; MMS: 1 + 1

RH:

- #2,5: MMS: 1

- GHP7; MMS: 0 (pinky slipped off, forced in)

- GHP7; MMS: 0 (pinky slipped off, forced in)

- GHP7; MMS: 1

- #3; cheat set with legs: 0

- GHP7; MMS: 0

- #2,5; MMS: 1

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 5

- 40 kg: 5

- 44 kg: 5

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5, 3, 5, 5, 5

 

both hands: Guide / spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Bad workout with grippers, but the rolling thunder felt OK.

 

29.8.2020

Grippers / rolling thunder:

warm up: G: 3 + 3, T: 3 + 3, #1; MMS: 1 + 1, #2; MMS: 1 + 1, #2,5; MMS: 1 + 0

RH:

- GHP7; MMS: 1, 0, 1, 0, 1

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 5

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5, 5, 5, 5

- 48 kg: 1

 

31.8.2020

Grippers:

warm up: G: 5 + 5, 3 + 3, T: 1 + 1, #1; MMS: 1 + 1, #2; MMS: 1 + 1

RH:

- #3; handles extended 2 / 2 mm; choked to 25,4 mm: 1

- #3; handles extended 0 / 0 mm; choked to 25,4 mm: 1

- #3,5; choked to parallel: 0 (forced in + hold)

- #3,5; handles extended 5 / 5 mm; choked to 16 mm: 1

- #3; choked to 28 mm: 0 (forced in + hold)

- #3; choked to 22 mm: 1 (hold 5 sec)

LH:

- #2,5; cheat set: 1

- #2,5; MMS: 1, 1, 1 (5 sec hold), 1, 1

BH:

- Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

3.9.2020

Grippers / RT:

warm up: G: 5 + 5, T: 3 + 3 (x 3 sets), #1; MMS: 1 + 1, #2; MMS:  1 + 1, #2,5; GHP block set: 1 + 1 (PR!)

RH:

- #2,5; GHP block set: 2, 2, 1, 0, 3, 2

- #1; GHP block set: 20

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 5

- 48 kg: 5, 5, 5, 5, 5

 

- #1; GHP block set: 10

 

BH:

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Practicing to do gripper closes with GHP block set and trying to work my way up to do it with GHP7.

 

7.9.2020

Grippers / rolling thunder:

warm up: lots of reps with Guide & Trainer, 1 + 1 with #1, #1filed, #1,5, #1,5f, #2, #2, #2f, #2,5

RH:

- #2,5; GHP block set: 1

- #2,5 filed; MMS: 1 (PR!, deeply filed with rating 145)

- #2,5; GHP block set: 1

- #2,5 filed; MMS: 1

- #2,5; GHP block set: 2

- #2,5 filed; MMS: 1 (hold)

- #2; GHP set: 5 x 1 (new set on each rep)

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10

- 44 kg: 8

- 48 kg: 5, 5, 5, 5, 5

 

BH:

- #1; TNS: 5 + 5

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

11.9.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

warm up: lots of reps with Guide & Trainer, 1 + 1 with #1, #1filed, #1,5, #1,5f, #2, #2, #2f

RH:

- #3; choked to 20 mm: 1 (hold 5 sec)

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1 (new set on both crushes)

- #3; choked to 22 mm: 1 (hold 5 sec)

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1

- #3; choked to 24 mm: 1 (hold 5 sec)

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1

- #3; choked to 26 mm: 1 (hold 5 sec)

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1

- #3; choked to 28 mm: 1

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 44 kg: 5

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1 (5 sec hold)

BH:

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

17.9.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

warm up: lots of reps with Guide & Trainer, 1 + 1 with #1, #1filed, #1,5, #1,5f, #2; GHP set, #2f

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1 (x 5 sets)

- #3,5; handles extended 5 / 5 mm; choked to parallel: 1, 1, 0 (forced in + hold)

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10

- 44 kg: 5

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 1 (5 sec hold)

BH:

- Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Getting better with left hand rolling thunder. I'm still building base with light weights and trying to improve my technique and body positioning and all.

GHP block set is starting to feel more comfortable. I mainly use my hardest #2,5 with it, which is rated 136.

 

[JJM]

22.9.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

Warm up: Guide & Trainer: lots of reps, 1 + 1 with #1, #1,5 and #2.

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1, 2 x 1

- #3; handles extended 5 / 5 mm; GHP set: 1, 1

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1, 2 x 1

- #2,5; GHP set: 1 (5 sec hold)

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 5 (x 6 sets)

- 56 kg: 1 (5 sec hold)

Both hands:

- Thumb closes with Ironmind Guide: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Really happy with the crushing strength because I was clearly not recovered. Especially my hands felt totally unready and powerless. Usually I test out my hands first thing in the morning if I'm going to do a gripper workout in the evening. Making a strong fist tells me the state of recovery. It's a great indication if I have or don't have the strength on that day.

Rolling thunder is progressing nice and slow. I did set myself a small goal to lift 70 kg during this year. I need to find some foam mat to protect the floor so I can try to lift heavier singles later on.

[JJM]

25.9.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

- Warm up: Lots of reps with Guide & Trainer, 1 + 1 with #1, #1,5 & #2

RH:

- new set on every rep

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1 (x 5 sets)

- #2,5; GHP set: 1 good rep+ 2 fails (handle slipped in palm on 1st fail, good set on 2nd but no strength left)

- #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1

- #2,5; GHP set: 1 good rep+ 1 fail

- set training with #1: 5, 5

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 15, 10

- 52 kg: 5, 5

-56 kg: 3

- 60 kg: 1 (PR!), 1, 1, 1, 3 (PR!), 3, 1

- 56 kg: 3 (5 sec hold on the last)

BH:

- Ironmind Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

I perform the thumb training as if I would be performing a regular gripper setting, but only with my thumb and index finger. The gripper itself is not touched with the other hand at all. Just closing it with those two fingers.

This have improved my setting a lot. Setting the #2,5 a lot have helped my setting even more. Getting better with it.

 

Gripper crushing strength is going down, but it's mainly because I have increased other training and the recovery time is cut down.

 

I also purchased a proper lifting platform to be able to lift the rolling thunder without the fear of ruining my floor. On the other hand it was better to train without it, because now I already learned how to lower the weight really fast. It shortens the time under tension.

[JJM]

28.9.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

- warm up: Guide: lots of reps, 1 + 1 with Trainer, #1, #1,5, #2

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 1

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0, 0, 0 (all forced in; first two attempts within 1 - 2 mm, but failed the set on 3rd)

- GHP 7; MMS: 1 easy

- GHP 7; 25,4 mm block set: 1

- GHP 7; 30 mm block set: 1 (PR!) now I need to get 35 mm set block

- #2,5; GHP set: 1, 2

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10

- 40 kg: 6

- 48 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 3

- 56 kg: 3

- 60 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1 (5 sec hold on last)

- 52 kg: 5

Both hands:

- Ironmind Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

It was nice to see improvement with GHP 7 setting strength and technique. I will continue training more with #2,5 because I believe it helps a lot with setting a gripper right now.

[JJM]

1.10.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

Warm up: lots of reps with Guide, T: 1 + 1, #1; GHP set: 1 + 1, #1,5; GHP set: 1 + 1, #2; GHP set: 1 + 1

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 1

- GHP 7; 30 mm set: 1

- #3; MMS: 1 (PR!!!)

- #3; MMS: 0 (handle slipped on palm right after setting the gripper, forced in)

- GHP 7; 35 mm block set: 0 (bad set again)

- #3; MMS: 0

- GHP 7; MMS: 1, 0

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 48 kg: 6

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 4

- 60 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (5 sec hold on last)

Both hands:

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

- thumbless rolling thunder; 32 kg: few sets of 5 - 10 reps

- bottom up kettlebell clean and press; 16 kg: 5 + 5 slow and controlled

 

Finally got my first ever close with Ironmind Coc #3! It took me six years and two months to make it happen. The GHP 7 I'm using is rated #150 and this particular #3 is #151, but I find it way more easier to shut the GHP. It's the knurling / setting.

 

Got it for a second or two before it seems to open a little.

[Lennix]

4 hours ago, JJM said:

1.10.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

Warm up: lots of reps with Guide, T: 1 + 1, #1; GHP set: 1 + 1, #1,5; GHP set: 1 + 1, #2; GHP set: 1 + 1

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 1

- GHP 7; 30 mm set: 1

- #3; MMS: 1 (PR!!!)

- #3; MMS: 0 (handle slipped on palm right after setting the gripper, forced in)

- GHP 7; 35 mm block set: 0 (bad set again)

- #3; MMS: 0

- GHP 7; MMS: 1, 0

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 48 kg: 6

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 4

- 60 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (5 sec hold on last)

Both hands:

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

- thumbless rolling thunder; 32 kg: few sets of 5 - 10 reps

- bottom up kettlebell clean and press; 16 kg: 5 + 5 slow and controlled

 

Finally got my first ever close with Ironmind Coc #3! It took me six years and two months to make it happen. The GHP 7 I'm using is rated #150 and this particular #3 is #151, but I find it way more easier to shut the GHP. It's the knurling / setting.

 

Got it for a second or two before it seems to open a little.

Congratulations! Very very strong close.

[bruce1337]

Powerful close! Also you held it for quite a while so your endurance is also very good congrats!!!

[Griparn]

Strong close! What gripper can you CCS?

[Fist of Fury]

Great close 

I feel the same way about GHP's. They are easier than COC. Knurling is a big factor.

[Maiche 25]

 

Super explosiveness and endurance which rarely go together usually, well done!

[coffeegrip]

Nice close!

[JJM]

Thanks a lot guys 

There is no chance I can close it with CCS. But that have been my ultimate goal for years, so it will come some day.

Next I will work my way to be able to close GHP 7 with GHP set block.

[Maiche 25]

12 minutes ago, JJM said:

Thanks a lot guys 

There is no chance I can close it with CCS. But that have been my ultimate goal for years, so it will come some day.

Next I will work my way to be able to close GHP 7 with GHP set block.

And which hardest rated gripper did you close CCS?In general it's 20 lbs less than MMS so about RGC 130, right?

[Maiche 25]

Yes I saw your "case", you have already approached 170 RGC in MMS, I am light years away from you and yet I think that I will reach your CCS maximum in two months maximum. I train MMS exclusively but I gain almost nothing at maximum MMS rep, I barely lose 10 lbs while doing CCS. (126 lbs CCS ater 7 months of grip training).

[JJM]

16 minutes ago, Maiche 25 said:

And which hardest rated gripper did you close CCS?In general it's 20 lbs less than MMS so about RGC 130, right?

I have a hard #2,5 which is rated around 135 and many times I have CCS closed it easily. It was time when I did almost every close with CCS and it was a long time ago.

[JJM]

I have had a really miserable set for a long time, so the gap haven't been so big between MMS and CCS. I believe I could close a bigger gripper right now if I'd actually be able to set it parallel. Now my deepest set with heavy gripper is somewhere around 25 mm, not parallel.

[JJM]

8.10.2020

Grippers:

warm up: lots of reps with Trainer, 1 + 1 with GHP set; T, #1, #2, #2,5: 2 x 1 + 1

RH:

- GM-150 dynamometer: 108 kg

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0 (1 - 2 mm)

- GM-150: few attempts, but nothing to report here

- GHP 7; MMS: 1

- #3; MMS: 0 (forced in x 3)

- GHP 7; MMS: 1

- GM-150: couple of attempts again with this nice and addicting device

- GHP 7 (harder one); MMS: 0

LH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 0 (forced in)

- GM-150: 86,65 kg

- #2,5 (RGC 136 / my hardest one); GHP set: 1 (PR!)

- #2,5; 30 mm set: 0

- #2,5; MMS: 1, 1

- #2,5; 40 mm set: 0

BH:

- Ironmind Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

I had a little break due to back injury and it also prevented me to do anything else but grippers. So there was no lifting to wake up the CNS and it feels to affect the crushing.

 

9.10.2020

GM-150:

RH: 5 attempts between 90 - 106 kg

LH: 5 attempts between 90 - 94,45 kg

[JJM]

12.10.2020

Grippers:

Attacking to achieve the last goal for the year 2020: Closing the GHP 7 with GHP set block.

 

-warm up: Few closes with Guide, singles with GHP set block; #1, #2, #2,5

RH:

- one attempt with Gripper Mania GM-150 dyno: 106,?? kg

- GHP 7; GHP block set with the 1" / 25,4 mm narrow end: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0 (1 mm, forced in), 1 (= 8 singles within 45 minutes)

- #2; GHP block set: 5

- Ironming Guide for thumb: 5 x 5

LH:

- No grippers today, nasty feeling on pinky. No worries though, it's getting better day by day. Just want to wait until it's back to normal.

[AspiringCrusher]

On 10/2/2020 at 7:44 AM, JJM said:

1.10.2020

Grippers / Rolling thunder:

Warm up: lots of reps with Guide, T: 1 + 1, #1; GHP set: 1 + 1, #1,5; GHP set: 1 + 1, #2; GHP set: 1 + 1

RH:

- #2,5; GHP set: 1

- GHP 7; 30 mm set: 1

- #3; MMS: 1 (PR!!!)

- #3; MMS: 0 (handle slipped on palm right after setting the gripper, forced in)

- GHP 7; 35 mm block set: 0 (bad set again)

- #3; MMS: 0

- GHP 7; MMS: 1, 0

LH:

Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 48 kg: 6

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 4

- 60 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (5 sec hold on last)

Both hands:

- spring clamp for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

- thumbless rolling thunder; 32 kg: few sets of 5 - 10 reps

- bottom up kettlebell clean and press; 16 kg: 5 + 5 slow and controlled

 

Finally got my first ever close with Ironmind Coc #3! It took me six years and two months to make it happen. The GHP 7 I'm using is rated #150 and this particular #3 is #151, but I find it way more easier to shut the GHP. It's the knurling / setting.

 

Got it for a second or two before it seems to open a little.

Damn impressive close! Good job! What is your bodyweight and what are your GS numbers?

[JJM]

7 minutes ago, AspiringCrusher said:

Damn impressive close! Good job! What is your bodyweight and what are your GS numbers?

Thanks. I'm happy I finally got it. But the work ain't done yet... it never will be.

 

My bodyweight is around 93 kg.

Nowadays I use kettlebells only for strength training. Stopped girevoy sport few years ago after having serious issues with both of my achilles tendons. Easy sport to overtrain in many ways, especially if you enjoy having lactic acid in your veins.

I always had a decent snatch in GS, lifting around 140 reps with 24 kg at my best. And easily over 200 reps with 20 kg in 10 mins. My shoulders didn't like having longer sets with any heavier bells.

But I sucked at Jerk / long cycle, so never really competed.

Then I fugured out I have to improve my grip to get better with snatching KB and I'm still on that road...

 

[AspiringCrusher]

10 minutes ago, JJM said:

Thanks. I'm happy I finally got it. But the work ain't done yet... it never will be.

 

My bodyweight is around 93 kg.

Nowadays I use kettlebells only for strength training. Stopped girevoy sport few years ago after having serious issues with both of my achilles tendons. Easy sport to overtrain in many ways, especially if you enjoy having lactic acid in your veins.

I always had a decent snatch in GS, lifting around 140 reps with 24 kg at my best. And easily over 200 reps with 20 kg in 10 mins. My shoulders didn't like having longer sets with any heavier bells.

But I sucked at Jerk / long cycle, so never really competed.

Then I fugured out I have to improve my grip to get better with snatching KB and I'm still on that road...

 

Thanks for the reply JJM. Good to know that someone with a similar background and weight could close the #3 like that, gives me hope. I just received mine today and on the first attempt I was more than a cm off from closing it with both hands.

I use kettlebells a lot too. Everything from GS lifts to turkish get-ups, bent presses and windmills. I agree, in GS you can overtrain certain muscles and tendons easily. And the positions are a bit forced.

Again, similar struggles with the grip in GS. I have done 120 reps in 5 min with the 24KG in snatch. In 10 minutes and with multiple hand switches I can do 200 reps with the 24KG, but with only one hand switch around that 130-140 mark too.

[JJM]

I'm sure that solid training with various level grippers will get you far. One only needs a strong mind, perseverance and plenty of time 

Certain background is not a must, someone just needs more training than the others.

Also good numbers with 24 kg kettlebell. Switching hands only once is a huge limiting factor with this discipline. I highly value the world class lifters who can make it look easy with a pair of 32's for full 10 minutes.

[JJM]

15.10.2020

Grippers:

- warm up: reps with Guide, 2 x 1 + 2 x 1 with Trainer, #1, #2

- GM-150:

  * RH 105,3 kg

  * LH 95,45 kg PR!

RH:

- easy #2,5; GHP set: 2 x 1 (= two singles with new set for both of them, no rest between reps)

- hard #2,5; GHP set:

  * 2 x 1

  * 2 x 1

  * 1 + 0 (forced in)

  * 2 x 1

  * 2 x 1

  * 1 + 0 (forced in)

  * 1 + 0 (forced in)

  * 1 + 0 (forced in)

- Guide for thumb: 5 x 5

LH:

- still resting it to get rid of the slight injury

 

Lots of misses with second reps of the doubles. They were around 1 - 3 mm short. All eight sets done in 40 minutes, whichs means shorter rest periods than usual.

[JJM]

19.10.2020

Grippers / Rolling Thunder:

- Warm up: Guide, Trainer, #1, #1,5, #2,5 reps with 30 mm set block

RH:

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 0 (set the gripper too low --> pinky was out of handle, forced in)

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 0 (forced in)

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

- GHP #7; 30 mm block set: 1

LH:

Rolling Thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 44 kg: 5

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 3, 3

- 60 kg: 1

- 56 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3

BH:

- thumbs with Guide: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

[JJM]

22.10.2020

Grippers / rolling thunder:

- Warm up: Reps with guide, GHP set 1 + 1 with #1 & #2

RH:

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0 (2 mm off)

- #3; MMS: 1, 0 (< 1 mm off), 0 (forced in)

- GHP 7; MMS: 1 (1 mm away from a double)

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0

- #2,5; GHP set: 1

LH:

- Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 56 kg: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

BH:

- Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Too much volume recently. One week rest from any gripwork.... hands felt very fatigued for several days.

 

29.10.2020

Grippers / rolling thunder:

- Warm up: reps with Guide & Trainer, GHP set 1 + 1 with #1, #2 & #2,5

- GM-150 dyno:

 * RH: 106 kg, 102,2 kg, 109,7 kg (PR!)

 * LH: 97,75 kg (PR!), 97,55 kg

RH:

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0 (way off)

- GHP 7; MMS: 1

- #3; MMS: 0 (< 3 mm off, forced in)

- #2,5 filed; MMS: 1

- #3; handles extended 5/5 mm; GHP set: 1

- #2,5 filed; MMS: 1

- GHP 7; GHP set: 0, 0

LH:

- Rolling thunder:

- 28 kg: 10, 10

- 52 kg: 5

- 56 kg: 5

- 60 kg: 4

- 64 kg: 2, 2, 2 (PR!)

- 60 kg: 5 (hold on last)

BH:

- Guide for thumbs: 5 + 5 (x 5 sets)

 

Left hand felt good and strong to use, but right hand hadn't fully recovered. Maybe I'd go back to things that actually worked for me with grippers: Only 6 - 7 heavy closes / workout and resting 4 - 6 days before next session. Might sound light but then I'm able to do the work with fresh and recovered hand and there is constant progress.

Left hand / rolling thunder is going to the right direction though. I'm happy with the 64 kg and there would have been more in the tank.