Ironmind Grip Contests

[The Natural]

http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2909#2909

-Rex

[jad]

“We’re running grippers the way stones are done in strongman,” Strossen continued. “A tougher gripper always wins, but reps rule below that. So, anyone who closes a CoC No. 3 beats anyone who only closes a CoC No. 2, for example, but 14 reps on a CoC No. 2 beats 12 reps on the No. 2.”

“This is a big departure from the way gripper events are usually run in grip contests, which just focus on the hardest gripper you can close,” Strossen explained, “but one of the problems with that is too many people end up with the same score. We think this is better because it will help clear the air about who really is stronger than whom, plus it will be a lot more interesting for spectators.”

And he continues to show his lack of understanding for the sport and cement his status as an armchair expert.

[The Natural]

“We’re running grippers the way stones are done in strongman,” Strossen continued. “A tougher gripper always wins, but reps rule below that. So, anyone who closes a CoC No. 3 beats anyone who only closes a CoC No. 2, for example, but 14 reps on a CoC No. 2 beats 12 reps on the No. 2.”

“This is a big departure from the way gripper events are usually run in grip contests, which just focus on the hardest gripper you can close,” Strossen explained, “but one of the problems with that is too many people end up with the same score. We think this is better because it will help clear the air about who really is stronger than whom, plus it will be a lot more interesting for spectators.”

And he continues to show his lack of understanding for the sport and cement his status as an armchair expert.

This confused me as well. The ultimately important score for a grip contest is the total score, not the score for some specific event. I see no evidence that there are too many people ending up with the same total scores.

EDIT: With respect to last year's GGC, I think Randall's points have some validity. Not nearly enough grippers were available.

-Rex

Edited March 29, 2009 by The Natural

[mobsterone]

The potential exposure I like, the ASC I like, the competition with top level strength athletes I like. I've yet to see anyone repping a heavy stone (say the next to last one). Normally it's heaviest first then if there's a problem fastest to the next one.

[Steve B.]

How do you judge reps though.

Do you have to open to credit card width each rep or parallel?

Could be a hard one to judge.

I think it should be how long you can hold it shut with a thin stip of metal like a strap hold.

[mobsterone]

An email to Randall:

Hi Randall, I note with some interest the annoucement on IM today of your intention and involvement in putting on grip competitions.

As per a post of mine on the Grip Board in which I say ''The potential exposure I like, the ASC I like, the competition with top level strength athletes I like''.Adding ''but I've yet to see anyone repping a heavy stone (say the next to last one) as a means of deciding a place. Normally it's heaviest first then if there's a problem fastest to the next one''. The the lack of knowledge is quite a surprise. Not only is it extremely rare for grip strength athletes to end up with the same score FOR ONE EVENT there are other events. In all my years competiting and more recently winning I've not needed a tie breaker.

The BHSA here in the UK and several other fledging grip associations and organisations throughout the world pretty much have several events which they agree on as standards. It's not limited to torsion spring grippers and the Rolling Thunder event.

Finally the comment regarding the repping of stones as a means of deciding strength for 2nd and 3rd if a heavier stone (as in your example on Ironmind) cannot be lifted... I've not seen this take place myself in any of the strongman competitions I've been associated with. We have events in which a series of stones are to be lifted from light to heavy and if say only one athlete lifts the heavy 2nd and 3rd place are decided on who did the rest quicker. Not by repping them out. Some events have been done in that way but usually with one stone only. Other than the idea of holding the events etc the rest lacks any factual basis and as a means of promoting the competitions... not so good. It shows a lack of understanding of the actual way competitions (grip and strongman) are run thus far. That you might choose to do so is one thing but that's not what happens now and the comment does not reflect this.

On a more positive note are there any plans to expand beyond the US boundries? Regardless of the other grip strength guys I compete with I seriously fancy my chances of whipping butt in these kind of competitions. My number one issue is a lack of the necessary funds to attend events such as the ASC. I'm sure other currently ranked grip strength guys feel the same. I'd imagine they and I know I would become very excited if we thought there might be an opportunity to go up against the best strength athletes of the kind that attend the ASC and similar.

I await your reply.

Steve

[mobsterone]

How do you judge reps though.

Do you have to open to credit card width each rep or parallel?

Could be a hard one to judge.

I think it should be how long you can hold it shut with a thin stip of metal like a strap hold.

I'm certain it'll be CCS and it'll be card through the handles every time. The bigger issue is, as any grip guy will tell you, is how the hell (short of a big screen and camera) do the crowd get to see what's going on? It'd require a cameraman very close in - zoomed to the max - following said athlete as he squirms about maxing out or repping and CCS each time a gripper. Having promoted, competed and reffed I can tell you that the guys closing grippers do not stand in such a way as to make it easy. Indeed guys with monster out of competition closes have failed many times in competitions for those very reasons.

[Wade Gillingham]

The potential exposure I like, the ASC I like, the competition with top level strength athletes I like. I've yet to see anyone repping a heavy stone (say the next to last one). Normally it's heaviest first then if there's a problem fastest to the next one.

This is how the stones at the arnold are judged - because they are so heavy. One rep with the heaviest stone is better than 10 reps with a lighter stone. Also, before everyone got so proficient at the Appollon's Wheels they were also judged similarly. A press was top a clean was next. So one press always beat two cleans but one press and a clean beat one press. In the earlier years they also had a lighter axle in back that was used to determine places for guys that couldn't clean the big wheels.

I think it's very positive that Ironmind is getting more involved with grip contests. I was hoping they would have more than 2 events but I think Dione is trying to get strongman competitors involved and there is a concern with them burning out their grips the day before or day of the contest, or being too fatigued after the contest to do well.

[mobsterone]

Then to be fair it's how they are judged for one competition. Not every competition. Not for ANY grip competition so far. Like I said - his event his rules (inc the KISS part) but still factually incorrect.

As for more events... I was thinking he's got a whole catalog of equipment to pick from. I mean we already use the Axle. What about his version of a pinch block? The other part, not wanting to tire athletes out, I get. But then he wouldn't get his wish - to see who has the strongest hand. By his own standards he'll have only tested two of his 4 or is it 5 aspects of grip strength.

[MalachiMcMullen]

The potential exposure I like, the ASC I like, the competition with top level strength athletes I like. I've yet to see anyone repping a heavy stone (say the next to last one). Normally it's heaviest first then if there's a problem fastest to the next one.

This is how the stones at the arnold are judged - because they are so heavy. One rep with the heaviest stone is better than 10 reps with a lighter stone. Also, before everyone got so proficient at the Appollon's Wheels they were also judged similarly. A press was top a clean was next. So one press always beat two cleans but one press and a clean beat one press. In the earlier years they also had a lighter axle in back that was used to determine places for guys that couldn't clean the big wheels.

I think it's very positive that Ironmind is getting more involved with grip contests. I was hoping they would have more than 2 events but I think Dione is trying to get strongman competitors involved and there is a concern with them burning out their grips the day before or day of the contest, or being too fatigued after the contest to do well.

I was going to mention the Arnold stone event, and having the stones event like that is gaining in popularity I hear. It makes it easier to setup and takes less equipment for the promoter but many comps still have several platforms.

I am very happy that IM is trying to give grip more exposure, but if IM starts holding regular grip challenges and starts calling them competitions, it'll be very bad for the sport's future.

[climber511]

It appears to be a Challenge slash Grip Competition slash IM Advertisement opportunity. And at least in those two events - we may get to see what some of the pro Strongmen can do, something I believe we all look forward to. IronMind has some other grip items that hopefully Randall might include in the future. I see a lot of exposure for the grip community in general, I especially like his comments of crowd participation at these events, perhaps similar to the GNC Grip Gauntlet. Differences in scoring etc are minor points (at least to me) - if this gets more people interested and involved, that can only help the overall sport grow in my mind. We, meaning the whole grip community, need to take advantage of this opportunity for a possible increase in numbers for our own contests. I welcome the involvement of a major new player with IM and the ASC.

[andurniat]

I believe this can only help grip become more recognized and bring in the pro strongmen that we all would like see attempt these events. This is just the beginning and I'm sure Randall will expand the events as it gains in popularity.

[wlong132003]

I think its a good idea how ever he does it...got to start somewere going main stream with it I'm sure there will be walls to break down but it gets the sport out there.

[Bill Piche]

More grip contests is super! The more the better and with IM getting involved it's nothing but a positive.