New Dynamometer Record Set Yesterday

[Clay Edgin]

Yesterday at the Pleasanton Highland Games, Dale Harder tested various athletes for their grip strength on his dynamometer. Dave Brown, pro thrower, had crushed 107kg (236lbs) before, but took the record to a whole other level by absolutely smashing 122kg (269lbs)!!! This was done with one hand, no bracing, and no "jerking" the dyno, and under the watchful eye of Dale.

When you consider that the average man Dave's age squeezes probably around 110lbs, it's cool to think that Dave's crushing strength is 2.5 times stronger.

Makes me wonder if he's still training to close the #4, or if he is now counting reps on it! Great work Dave.

[Lyle]

yup that qualifies as awsome, Clay who won the games in the pros?

[MikeP]

Were you there and what did you squeeze Clay?

[Tom of Iowa2]

Just found this.Nice report Clay.

No doubt bout it these Highland Game throwers have some kind of grip.

Very Impressive.

How big a guy is he?

[Clay Edgin]

Mike, I was not there unfortunately. I gave the dyno a shot on Monday and did 111kg first shot without a warmup so I might have been able to match my previous PR on it.

Tom, Dave Brown is about 6'2" and 330lbs I think.

[FbaLLPlaya_53]

Thats a damn impressive squeeze.

Clay, does he do any formal grip training?

[Tom of Iowa2]

Tom, Dave Brown is about 6'2" and 330lbs I think.

A good sized lad.

[Clay Edgin]

Sean, I think he just does the grippers to help with his grip aside from the regular highland games stuff. A year or two ago he was 1/4" away on the #4 (so says a guy who knows him personally) but he hurt his hand doing something and put the grippers away. If I get the chance to talk to him I will be sure to ask what he's up to lately on the grippers, and maybe even bring my easy #4 along

[Wade Gillingham]

Dave stopped by my brother's place a couple years ago when in the state for a highlands games comp. Karl said he no-set double closed a silver spring Elite in one hand and a #3 in the other. I didn't see it but Karl said they clicked shut. The Silver Spring Elite is as hard as the other 2 that family members own.

[The Mac]

It will be interesting to see what he could do with a #4.

The dyno record is impressive!

[oldtimer]

I just wanted to add something since I'm the guy that tested Dave Brown. Dave is about 365 lb and is a professional highland games athlete who holds the world record with WOB (he has thrown a 56 lb weight with one hand over a bar 20'1 above the ground). Dave has also told me that he has closed a #4 in practice but can't always do it. Dave is actually a very modest guy but did tell me that he did 10 chinups with a 2 1/2" pcv pipe on top of the chinup bar--yet no one else could do one on that particular day. The other guys were also highland games athletes so they're no slouches. I believe that Carlos Borges or Kit Sonesen might have been there that day. If they see this then please weigh in.

I also have to point out that Robert Baraban claimed some high numbers for Nathan Holle on his two different types of spring dynamometers. It should be noted that even these two by the same mfr. (and RB does make quality stuff) vary on their readings. More importantly that on one of these occasions where Nathan made a "record" with an RB dyno that an eyewitness, who is well-known here, can come online if he wishes to corroborate this, said that Nathan braced his squeezing hand. Now I'm sure that Nathan has a very strong grip and that since then perhaps he has done a correct squeeze but in my opinion it's unofficial until impartial observers mention that he did it in the correct style--a video would be nice.

If one wants to use a hydraulic dynamometer to test oneself then it should be done correctly. My best mark done correctly is 86 kg on a Baseline but is virtually identical to the Jaymar dyno, but I've been over 100 kg by cheating--that is jerking the dyno so much that one needle kisses the other needle upwards. I've seen this same phenomenon with other guys--some who can bang it up to 137 kg (300 lb) the top end of my dyno.

The correct way to squeeze a dyno is to use one hand with the dial facing so that someone else can watch to make sure there's no excessive jerking (or a video record would be fine too). You shouldn't touch your gripping arm with your other arm or push it against anything or squeeze the dyno with the face downward. If you're going to do it, then please do it the right way.

[lifesnotfair]

Great read.

[ox3782]

Is it nessacary to hlod the gripping arm at a 90 degree angle next to the body.Or can you hold it out straight?As long as it is dial face out and no bracing or jerking?Thanks

Brendan

[gumpster]

Impressive feat! I'm pretty sure this David Brown guy is originally from a small town in northern California. We were in the same class in high school (graduated in 1990). He was a tank back then as a teenager and did shot/discus while I was running the mile/2 mile on the track team. I haven't seen him since graduation but heard he was doing the Highland Games stuff a few years back. Does anyone have any pics (or links to them) of the guy in recent years?

[oldtimer]

Is it nessacary to hlod the gripping arm at a 90 degree angle next to the body.Or can you hold it out straight?As long as it is dial face out and no bracing or jerking?Thanks

Brendan

Iknow that in some of the literature written for physical therapists, etc. they advise that the dyno should be done at a 90 degree angle but...

I've found that a person doesn't do any better when he/she holds the dyno straight out. Therefore, I actually prefer it done standing, since most of the testing I do is with guys who are standing, and there are no chairs around. It makes it a heck of a lot easier to read. Like you said as long as it's done with no bracing or jerking it's okay.

I'm almost positive that Dave Brown is from Broken Arrow, OK, so I don't think he's the high school friend of someone here.

Edited July 29, 2007 by oldtimer

[gumpster]

oldtimer, is this the same Dave Brown you tested? I was able to find a couple pics of him from some Highland Games competitions a couple years back. The face hasn't changed much but I'd say he's put on about another 50-100 pounds since high school (he was probably 250 or so back then). Class of 1990, Quincy, California...same as me. Not sure where he's living now though. He's about the same height as the rest of the guys in the group but look at those calves. My thighs are probably the same measurement. I big guy no doubt about it, but damn strong. I'd be lucky to get a 56 pound weight lifted above my head...he threw the thing 20' up in the air.

[oldtimer]

Gumpster, that is definitely the Dave Brown with the huge grip. If you went to high school with him in Quincy CA then I just learned something new about him. Yep, that's him.

[knyaz]

im very impressed, good job ! ! !