Ivan Cuk - Level 1

[Bill Piche]

The GripBoard Proudly Certifies:

Ivan Cuk

*************

GripBoard Mash Monster Level 1

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: Ivan Cuk
Age: 18
Height: 6' 
Weight: 185lbs
Date of Feat: May 5, 2021
How Long Grip Training:  2 years
Current Grip Training Program:  2-3 days a week heavy attempts
Other Training Info: Bodyweight training, big horn and rolling handle lifts
Other Info: Grip enthusiast
Acknowledgements: Coc 3 certified

 

Ivan Cuk, the 118th man in the world to close the Mash Monster Gripper - Level 1

 

 

Could you tell us a little about your background in lifting?

I used to play basketball so was never much of a lifter. I do a decent amount of bodyweight training and sometimes use free weights.

How did you get into grip training?

Juji mufu video with Jedd Johnson on grippers got me interested in buying a gripper, I bought 1.5 first gripper and closed it first try.

You are now a GripBoard Mash Monster, what would you recommend to those aspiring to close this gripper?

Listen to your body in terms of recovery and when you feel ready to do your sessions. Last thing you want is to get injured from overuse.

What does your current grip routine look like?

Currently trying to adopt Nathan Holle's gripper routine, very difficult for me since I like to just do grippers when I feel it but I believe with structure it will be better.

How has your grip routine changed since you first started training your grip?

It hasn't changed much, I stopped doing negatives long ago and inverted work since I found it too damaging.

There seems to be a significant variation in the frequency of grip workouts among trainees. Have you experimented with workout frequency and its effect on your training?

Yes, I've found that people can vary a lot in terms of their tolerance to training often. Myself personally I'm much better off with more rest days in between.

What are your favorite grip exercises?

Grippers, big horn and some pinching.

What kind of starting routine would you recommend for a trainee new to grip training?

Get multiple grippers that you can use as a goal, warm up, and working gripper. Try to do attempts with your heavy grippers little more than usual, you want to get stronger to be able to control the sweep of that gripper.

Who do you most admire in gripdom?

David Shamey, Nathan Holle, Mike Burke, Carl Myerscough, Jedd Johnson and a lot of other amazing athletes.

If you were to start over again with your grip training, what would you do differently?

 I would have continued and not taken 2-3 week breaks completely. Consistency is key for anything you wanna keep training in order to improve.

What do you believe is the most difficult grip exercise?

Old school York pinch or closing ghp 10 with set.

What are some of your personal bests in grip exercises?

171 3.5 with a wide set, 178# on little big horn lift and 145# on mega raptor, brought a 4 past parallel from wide set.

What do you believe is the most common mistake made by new grip trainees?

They don't take it slow, tendons and muscles don't grow overnight so take it slow, don't get injured and you will improve greatly!

What do you consider to be the greatest grip feats of all time?

Brian Shaw pressing two Inch dumbbells, Carl Myerscough and David Shamey repping a ghp9, Nathan Holle GHP 10 close, Mike Burke axle bar deadlift 516#.

Do you have any parting advice for readers?

Keep up the training and always remember to have fun!