Kevin Fulton Posted April 1, 2001 Share Posted April 1, 2001 We seldom have many visitors here at our barn gym except for the coyotes that sneak up and howl at us while we are lifting. Occaisonally however we arrange for visitors to come in and this always spices up the workouts in a big way. Yesterday was one of those days. My friend and world champion arm wrestler Mary McConnaughey made the 3 hour trek from Omaha and invited a few other nationally ranked armwrestlers from various parts of the state. We all met at my barn for an afternoon of training and sharing of ideas. Also included in the group was Matt Klingsporn the only other certified Capt. of Crush in Nebraska besides myself. Matt has trimmed down to a mere 350 lbs. since his photo in the last MILO. Mary has closed the #2 and one of the other visitors almost closed the #3 yesterday. His name is Trapper and he is a big (250 lbs)20 yr. old with large hands. He has those turkey drumbs for thumbs and very long fingers. He will no doubt close it if he puts his mind to it. He should have a great future as a strongman, armwrestler, and grip trainer. There were seven of us altogether and we spent about 4 hours training. We were like a bunch of kids at a new playground. Everyone tried my Thomas Inch Replica DB but it only left the ground once as Matt barely cleared the floor with it. We tried our hand at all the toys, pinching various blocks, lifting thick bars, and plate curling. Several of the guys tried the plate curls for the first time and did the 35 lb. plate like they were raising a spoonful of food to their mouth. I was close with the 45 lb. plate but it will have to wait for another day. Mary brought two arm wrestling tables with her so we all got ample time to work on those techniques. Since I was the only non arm wrestler of the group I was begging for mercy as these animals twisted, pulled, and jerked me around. Without proper technique, my strength was no match for anyone in the group including Mary. I would love to take her into a redneck bar some night and make a challenge and then sit back and count the money as she slammed everyone to the table! It was one of those workouts that you remember for a long time and it inspires you to train harder and try some new ideas. Mary e-mailed me and said the guys were taking notes and discussing the new ideas all the way back to Omaha. Several of the guys are also planning on coming to the grip contest on September 16th. The only disappointment of the day was the no-show of Steve Justa who was suppose to join us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 2, 2001 Share Posted April 2, 2001 Hiya Kevin, Sounds like you had a ball, kinda reminds me of the sessions David Horne and his crew and myself and my crew used to have. Here's to future strength madness and get togethers, Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Crusher Posted April 2, 2001 Share Posted April 2, 2001 Kevin- Did Matt Klingsporn close the #3 for you? Did you close it for him? Is Mary able to close the #2 in the conventional way and not upside down like her picture shows in MILO? Steve Weiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fulton Posted April 3, 2001 Author Share Posted April 3, 2001 Matt and I both closed the #3 during the workout. As far as I know Mary has not closed the #2 in the conventional manner. We did not spend a lot of time with the grippers because there were so many other new toys to play with here. Everyone had already seen and tried the grippers before so they were nothing new. Matt told me that he has closed the #3 for 5 consecutive reps. He didn't try that on Sat. but he looked strong enough so I don't doubt it. Matt seems very honest and straightforward. He is typical of many people in this area--just a big country boy that doesn't even realize his own strength. He also told me that there is another guy he works with that can also close the #3. We are trying to get him to help the guy get certified. I believe there are a lot of potential #3 closers in central/western Nebraska if they were only exposed to the grippers. I have come across quite a few who could easily close the #1 and even some could close the #2 when they first try them. Many outsiders comment on how big people are in this area. When I lived in Massachusetts, I also noticed a significant difference in the size (or lack of) of the people there compared to the midwest. If you would venture out to a farm auction or any other gathering of rural people and just look at peoples hands, you would be amazed at the size of them. Even many of the smaller people still have relatively large forearms, wrists, and hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted April 4, 2001 Share Posted April 4, 2001 Hey Kevin, Let me know about another "get together" and I might make a trip out to your farm. I have a bunch of toys I could bring - just ask. Wish I were there to meet some of the gang! Oh well, there's always next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fulton Posted April 6, 2001 Author Share Posted April 6, 2001 Sybersnott, The next get together will likely be the Super Grip Challenge on Sept. 16th. Hope you can make it out for that. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Horne Posted April 7, 2001 Share Posted April 7, 2001 Kevin, I have noted the date of your grip comp. and will put it in the next issue of Iron Grip. Give me more details and I'll include those as well. I hope all of you on the gripboard support Kevin by either competing or spectating. Get along and have a go, you'll have a good day and learn a lot. So I repeat - SUPPORT KEVIN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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