The Natural Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I did a search on this topic before I decided to post, and though the topic has come up before, there are some reasons I want to revive it: 1) Many of the users now active on the forums did not respond to the thread, given how old the thread is. 2) Many of the best pinchers out there did not respond to the thread, at least the one I came across. Having said that, I'd like to get an idea of what you guys are able to deadlift using one of the newer IM Blockbuster pinch blocks (which is slicker than the older one, from what I understand). The better pinchers out there, please give me your PR's. Given the huge variation in plates, blobs, and Euro pinch set-ups, it's shame that this common measure of pinch strength is not more widely discussed. Thanks guys Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lipinski Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 The IM pinch block is a poor implement. The slickness of the IM stuff gives you a huge variation in performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 The IM pinch block is a poor implement. The slickness of the IM stuff gives you a huge variation in performance. I don't think I explained myself clearly enough. Granted, the IM block is slick. But it's slick for everyone. So this provides a common standard. Blobs, plates, and Euro pinch setups differ quite a bit in their texture. But the IM block (at least all the ones I have examined) have the same texture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lipinski Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 The reason it is poor as an implement is that the amount of weight you can use will wildly vary from day to day depending on humidity, hand oils, etc. It seems you can get one good grab every once in a while, and not get anything close again in a session. I think this is the reason why the implement is not very popular. Also, wear and tear will cause the surfaces to vary significantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 The reason it is poor as an implement is that the amount of weight you can use will wildly vary from day to day depending on humidity, hand oils, etc. It seems you can get one good grab every once in a while, and not get anything close again in a session. I think this is the reason why the implement is not very popular.Also, wear and tear will cause the surfaces to vary significantly. I've noticed no such variation--the 5th farmer's walk I did today with the block felt the same as the first one I did, fatigue aside--but then again I'm just one data point. In any case, since I'm asking for a max, perhaps that occasional "one good grab" you speak of is really all that's needed (your considerations would be stronger in the case of high-rep comparisons). The old thread got a good number of responses. I'm guessing that the current Gripboard members have just as much experince with the block, percentage-wise, as the old crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubgeezer Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 My opinion is that it may be on the decline as far as an implement used by this group. The best information you will find on it is to go to Bob Linpinski's website, US Handstrength, and then click on "results". In 2005 and 2006, under "grip decathlon" you can click on and find the results of two contests where it was contested as an event. The weight includes the implement and pin, it is not plates only. I found that it is one event where you can vary from workout to workout on it by over 20%, no reason, maybe humidity, maybe moisture in your hands, who knows. In 2005, Clay Edgin used all 4 attempts on his opening weight, tried about 15 times each one minute period, and then lifted it on his very last time. Looking back at what Bob wrote on this thread. I don't think I am saying anything different that what he already said. There was also a contest in 2002 where Big Time strongmen entered in St. Louis, and it may have been a bad atmosphere for the event (for example it was at a restaurant, no chalk, and after they ate ribs for dinner). That was covered in the December 2002 IronMind: Plates only weights Wade Gillingham 65, Phil Pfister 60, Brian Schoonveld, Karl Gillingham 55, Nick Osborne, Mark Phillippi 52, Steve Kirit 42, Whit Baskin, Matt Mehany 37, Tony Harris, Jesse Marunde, Walt Gogola, Pat Rankin 27. I understand many don't like it. For that reason, and its unpredictability, I think it is a wonderful "wild card" event. The worst gripper could get lucky on it, and the stud could bomb out. However, I doubt if any contest producers share my amusement. I have not used the implement in a few years. I would have to dig around for my PR. I felt good whenever I did 55. I doubt if I ever did 60. I imagine modestly strong guys on this board have had good workouts and hit 70. Like Rolling Thunder, some hate chalk on the implement, some swear by it. I am obsessive, and wipe off moisture, chalk etc with a rag before touching it. MC Hubgeezer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpycuban Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I bought something similar from StrongerGrip.com that you guys may want to try. I like some of you hated the IronMind pinch block, but the one from StrongerGrip is better in my opinion. The paint isn't that slick. Works good without chalk and even better with it. The only thing I didn't like is that it has a post welded to it for standard plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Gillingham Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I did a search on this topic before I decided to post, and though the topic has come up before, there are some reasons I want to revive it:1) Many of the users now active on the forums did not respond to the thread, given how old the thread is. 2) Many of the best pinchers out there did not respond to the thread, at least the one I came across. Having said that, I'd like to get an idea of what you guys are able to deadlift using one of the newer IM Blockbuster pinch blocks (which is slicker than the older one, from what I understand). The better pinchers out there, please give me your PR's. Given the huge variation in plates, blobs, and Euro pinch set-ups, it's shame that this common measure of pinch strength is not more widely discussed. Thanks guys Rex Randy Strossen asked me this last week. I have in my records that I have done 104, weighed on a scale. I actually think I have done 107 but would have to comb through my logs to find it. Rob Vigeant Jr. told me he did around 100, otherwise i've never heard of anyone close to this weight. In response to Bob L., I agree on the surface being very difficult to maintain consistancy on. What I have done the past couple years is to tape the surfaces to make them more consistant for training. My 1 rep max doesn't really change - may actually go down - but allows me to train consistantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 The reason it is poor as an implement is that the amount of weight you can use will wildly vary from day to day depending on humidity, hand oils, etc. It seems you can get one good grab every once in a while, and not get anything close again in a session. I think this is the reason why the implement is not very popular.Also, wear and tear will cause the surfaces to vary significantly. I agree completely. I have one on lone out in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Horne Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 We used one for a short period of time because more time was taken up with washing hands than lifting! The exact clamminess of hand was needed more than strength! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 We used one for a short period of time because more time was taken up with washing hands than lifting! The exact clamminess of hand was needed more than strength! David, Do you happen to remember what you and your training partners were able to lift during the time that you used one? -Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Horne Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 No not at all, it's not even in my pb/record section. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teemu I Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I would also say that anything that has that slippery surface is a poor tool for training and even more so for any kind of competition. Some guys might be be able to work more consistently than others on those blocks, but it's a greatly individual matter. I would not spend any time on working with such slippery surfaces, it takes a lot away from training in my opinion as you really can't tell if you get a grip on or not and the results vary all over from one attempt to the next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 yeah, I got it too and its hit or miss on any given session Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted June 18, 2008 Author Share Posted June 18, 2008 All right guys. There's some consensus on the variability of performance that is due to the slickness of the block. So I'm granting that. But even if it's "hit or miss", isn't it still possible to provide the weight you lifted on a day when it was a "hit"? This is really all I want to know. Wade has no doubt set the upper limit with his 104 lift. But I want some more data points so I can get a picture of what the performance curve looks like. Anyone out there record their lifts on the days when things went well? -Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nockowt1 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I'll let you know what I lift after my workout tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nockowt1 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I was able to get 45 on it today. I didn't have any alcohol to wipe it clean so I probably couldn't have done a few more lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 All right guys. There's some consensus on the variability of performance that is due to the slickness of the block. So I'm granting that.But even if it's "hit or miss", isn't it still possible to provide the weight you lifted on a day when it was a "hit"? This is really all I want to know. Wade has no doubt set the upper limit with his 104 lift. But I want some more data points so I can get a picture of what the performance curve looks like. Anyone out there record their lifts on the days when things went well? -Rex I'll start experimenting. As a rule of thumb, I think this may apply: if chalk doesn't help with lifting an implement it will prove very tricky getting optimal friction. Like David said, the right degree of clamminess is key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griparn Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 If I remember correctly I've done around 21 kg including all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 I just finished a few attempts on it and managed 64 total pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdbas1 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Last time I used it a few months ago i managed 22.5kg not including the block and loading pin. Will try again soon and send you some feedback so you can compare. take care Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lone Wolf Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Last year in June I did 47 lbs. in a contest never really train for this event Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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