My progress on the #3

[Adam Black]

I am working on the #3 and am currently within a ¼ of an inch. Sometimes down to an eigth.

My current routine is as such:

Monday: 5 sets of strap holds for 10 seconds.

Thursday: Deadlift day so no grip.

Friday: 5-10 negatives with the #3. Fight it until it's past 1 inch.

Let me note that I had previously experimented with daily training. I did see gains for the first few days, but then they dried up. I kept at it for another week or 2 but was still at a wall. So dropped that approach. I did read a post from Tou the other day that mentioned a break in period for this style of training. This has piqued my interest in daily training again.

I have experimented with: max singles, max triples, more negatives and more holds. I tend to progress on any new system for a week or so. But then I hit a wall. Currently with this system my hold weights are progressing. I see this as a good thing and have stuck with this somewhat limited training approach for the past 3 weeks.

[OldGuy]

I don't do many more total reps than you do in a week, training daily. You might want to purchase a #4 and do some negatives with that too.

[3Crusher]

Adam,

You may want to cut your sets on the strapholds from 5 to around 2-3, so you can really concentrate on the quality of your sets.  As anti-grip as it sounds, you may want to use straps when you are deadlifting to preserve the "inner most" part of your grip strength, as this last little part of the squeezing range of motion seems to take the longest time to recover.  I'll probably catch flack for even suggesting the use of straps, but when I deadlift, with the exception of maximum attempts, I use a "match grip" (both palms facing the same direction) and make use of straps.  I have never dropped a max. deadlift attempt, in case you were wondering, and I do over 600 pounds.  I have also one arm deadlifted 496 on a Farmer's bar with my right and left hand.  Anyway, this isn't to sound like a braggart....I am trying to point out that if you work the grippers hard, it will have a carry over effect to the kind of strength you need to hold onto a bar when you have to.  As for the negatives with the #3, do them, but I would recommend that you only fight the grippers out until the handles are about a half inch apart, as anything past this, is a waste of energy, in my opinion, as you are already capable of closing the gripper in a positive fashion way past the one inch barrier.  You may want to do strapholds twice a week instead for a few weeks for a change of pace.  Above all, do not be afraid to experiment, but try to stick with something for a few weeks before you deem it as a failed approach.  I say this because when I closed the #3 for the first time, I had been doing strapholds twice a week for 4 weeks, slid back a bit in my progress, then came back a week later amd slammed the #3 for 3 singles!  Good luck with your training.

Steve Weiner

[Bill Piche]

Some may be gone but we have da 3Crusher posting again!!      :hehe

[OldGuy]

What a day it has been!

[Roark]

3Crusher,

No matter how your training methods (straps) sound

to others. They work for you, and your numbers speak

for themselves.

[Adam Black]

Thanks for the advice gents.

OldGuy, I have been toying with the idea of getting a #4 but have yet to do so. I suspect that there is a slight intimidation factor. After I close the #3 I will most likely get the #4.

Steve, I will switch to 2-3 holds 2x a week and see how it goes. My primary reason for stopping the 2x a week holds was that after deadlifting, strapless, my grip is weak for days. I agree that using straps does seem contrary to grip strength progression. But hearing that an advanced grip man used them to good affect is interesting. And I may give it a go at some point.

Thanks again guys.

[Guest Jeff Roark]

Guys this may sound absolutely stupid. My best closes and attempts have came after doing a workout sometimes including deadlifts. The thing is I did no warmups with the grippers, I went straight into the max work or effort. I get best results like this. The workout seems to warmup my hands better than specifically with the grippers. The day I certify I 'll have to workout before hand.

[Adam Black]

I've had some good grip sessions following a normal full body session. I agree that after getting the blood going and the heart rate up that I do see a difference in regards to grip power. But on a deadlift day, my hands are just smoked. Sometimes just doing shrugs will tap my grip strength. So I prefer to do my grip first.

[OldGuy]

I also do better with grippers after a workout. The only lifts that take away from gripper performance for me are heavy thickbar lifts as they tire out my hands quickly. My best closes come between sets of bench press.

[Guest 77-1005097254]

Adam. I would recommend getting a no4 and start doing negatives on it straight away. It will probably rip your hand open instantly, but if you keep at it, i think you will notice that you may be able to slow it down and hold it in a more closed position. This approach certainly helped me. Also after doing some negatives on a no4 you will be amazed how much easier a no3 feels. I think thats what got me closing my no3. "Training on a gripper thats harder than the one you are trying to close"

Michael.

[Adam Black]

"Training on a gripper thats harder than the one you are trying to close"

I've heard this quote before but it didn't stick. I don't have any real reasons for not getting the #4. And I since it can't hurt to have it and could help, I guess I should get one. I was about to order Appollons Axle anyway, so I think I will throw a #4 into that order.

Thanks for your advice Michael.

[Guest 77-1005097254]

Adam. My pleasure. Hope it helps!!!

Michael.

[Tou]

#4 negatives is what helped me the most on my quest to the #3. Strap holds sure help to get closer and closer to full close bu negatives gives you tough hands, pain endurance and positionning practice.

Without #4 negs, I would still be at 3/16 or 1/8. I don't close the #3 consistently but I never go over 1/16 in my 3-4 first attempts everyday.

[Adam Black]

Well I have to admit that I am rather excited about getting my #4. I had no aspirations of closing it, so having one only seemed to be as a novelty. I always figured there wouldn't be much difference in regard to training negatives with the #3 or #4. Chalk it up as another lesson learned. My #4 is on order and should be here in a week or two. Can't wait.  

Thanks again all.