Equipment For Lifting The Blob

[meelhama]

What did you use to train for and lift the blob?

Did anyone master the blob by training with Hex block weights?

Did anyone master the blog using an adjustable blob grip (i.e. Blob Simulator)?

Has anyone mastered the blob by training with York Legacy block weights?

What has been your experience with these different implements?

[Jedd Johnson]

The only equipment I used was chalk. While some have used blockweights, I'd suggest training with Yorks and by adding weight to the blob and doing negatives.

[lukeamdman]

I never trained for the blob, had any hex blocks, or had any lighter blobs. I still only have one blob50.

I did hub lifting and plate pinching.

[The Natural]

Blobs are so February of '09.

-Rex

[meelhama]

Blobs are so February of '09.

-Rex

The only equipment I used was chalk. While some have used blockweights, I'd suggest training with Yorks and by adding weight to the blob and doing negatives.

How many Yorks do you own?

[Teemu I]

Haven't had a chance to try an actual blob yet, but I would bet 50 lbs+ blobette lift would be good for a real one easily. Possibility to train on the specific joint angles is the key I think and the small increments that blobette allows are well worth the money. Blobette has given me plenty of useful training time over the past 3 years. I started with 36lbs and now I'm getting just a bit of air under 55 lbs. I don't think I could have made that much progress without the small increments and variable training loads.

[mightyjoe]

What did you use to train for and lift the blob?

Did anyone master the blob by training with Hex block weights?

Did anyone master the blog using an adjustable blob grip (i.e. Blob Simulator)?

Has anyone mastered the blob by training with York Legacy block weights?

What has been your experience with these different implements?

It's ironic you ask these questions. I ordered a Blob50 from Gordon V.

this weekend and I'm curious also how others have trained to lift the Blob.

I would like to add one more question to the list though:

Who's the smallest handed individual to ever lift a Blob and what

was the length of his hand?

The reason I ask is because my hands are just under 7" and I'm wondering

if it's even possible for someone with hands my size to lift a Blob. I'm very

determined to pull this off because I've been told I can't with my hand size.

Even if I never lift the Blob I bought one for future grip contests.

Anyone reading this with a Gordon V. Blob please tell me the width and slope

on your Blob so I can have an idea of where my fingers will be when grasping

the top of the Blob50.

Thanks for any responses!

Mighty Joe

[Jedd Johnson]

Blobs are so February of '09.

-Rex

The only equipment I used was chalk. While some have used blockweights, I'd suggest training with Yorks and by adding weight to the blob and doing negatives.

How many Yorks do you own?

Three 50-lb Yorks of the narrow variety.

[Jedd Johnson]

What did you use to train for and lift the blob?

Did anyone master the blob by training with Hex block weights?

Did anyone master the blog using an adjustable blob grip (i.e. Blob Simulator)?

Has anyone mastered the blob by training with York Legacy block weights?

What has been your experience with these different implements?

It's ironic you ask these questions. I ordered a Blob50 from Gordon V.

this weekend and I'm curious also how others have trained to lift the Blob.

I would like to add one more question to the list though:

Who's the smallest handed individual to ever lift a Blob and what

was the length of his hand?

The reason I ask is because my hands are just under 7" and I'm wondering

if it's even possible for someone with hands my size to lift a Blob. I'm very

determined to pull this off because I've been told I can't with my hand size.

Even if I never lift the Blob I bought one for future grip contests.

Anyone reading this with a Gordon V. Blob please tell me the width and slope

on your Blob so I can have an idea of where my fingers will be when grasping

the top of the Blob50.

Thanks for any responses!

Mighty Joe

Joe,

I gotta believe our buddy, Brad Martin, has the smallest hands to lift the blob. I am not sure on his measurement, maybe 7.5. I might have known at one time, but forget now. You might be able to search and find it here. He first lifted it by the square on the bottom but has since hit it by the top as well.

[Teemu I]

More than hand length, it's the span that determines how good grip you get on these wide implements. I'd also stress the importance of keeping your thumbs flexible for these wide pinch lifts. Not only because it helps to prevent injuries but also because overly stretched muscles are weaker.

[jad]

About a month prior to actually getting a blob (it was a Christmas present): 20 or more negatives per day with a pony clamp, adding rubberbands each workout

BlobKTA for about two weeks upon getting my blob: took me around two weeks to get it and about another week to clean it

For the Fatman:

I used the couch cushion method and blob50 with extra weight magneted on. The extra weight method seems more effective but bounce method is more versatile.

Overall, I would say the pony clamp was the best tool. I built my base with that and once I had a blob or "blob-like implement" it was just a matter of getting a feel for it.

[Cannon]

More than hand length, it's the span that determines how good grip you get on these wide implements. I'd also stress the importance of keeping your thumbs flexible for these wide pinch lifts. Not only because it helps to prevent injuries but also because overly stretched muscles are weaker.

Joe, this is good insight. What is your hand span? If you're like me, maybe you lucked out I have a 7-5/8" hand, but a 9-1/4" span between my thumb and ring finger. Also, I saw David Horne do something interesting. He lifts blobs without his index finger. I'm guessing because this allows him to access the best span with his hand. If I ever lift the Blob50, I'm guessing I will need to do it in this manner.

[MARKR]

I gotta believe our buddy, Brad Martin, has the smallest hands to lift the blob. I am not sure on his measurement, maybe 7.5. I might have known at one time, but forget now. You might be able to search and find it here. He first lifted it by the square on the bottom but has since hit it by the top as well.

/quote]

Jedd

I remember seeing that video it was outstanding, I could be wrong but I think it said Brad had 7" hands which is even more impressive.I cant find the video to check

Mark

Edited April 5, 2009 by MARKR

[meelhama]

Odin has a 7 5/8 hand.

Picture of lifting the blob:http://www.gripboard.com/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=7550

It looks as if his hand is just barely getting it.

[Bob Lipinski]

I got one halfway up once.

When I was at my best, I deloaded a blob with rubber bands, and lifted smaller blobs plus weight.

[mightyjoe]

More than hand length, it's the span that determines how good grip you get on these wide implements. I'd also stress the importance of keeping your thumbs flexible for these wide pinch lifts. Not only because it helps to prevent injuries but also because overly stretched muscles are weaker.

Joe, this is good insight. What is your hand span? If you're like me, maybe you lucked out I have a 7-5/8" hand, but a 9-1/4" span between my thumb and ring finger. Also, I saw David Horne do something interesting. He lifts blobs without his index finger. I'm guessing because this allows him to access the best span with his hand. If I ever lift the Blob50, I'm guessing I will need to do it in this manner.

My hand is under 7", 6-15/16" to be exact.

That's why I'm asking if it's even possible for me to

pull this off. I'll be using a Blob50 from Grodon V.

Thanks,

Mighty Joe

[Teemu I]

More than hand length, it's the span that determines how good grip you get on these wide implements. I'd also stress the importance of keeping your thumbs flexible for these wide pinch lifts. Not only because it helps to prevent injuries but also because overly stretched muscles are weaker.

Joe, this is good insight. What is your hand span? If you're like me, maybe you lucked out I have a 7-5/8" hand, but a 9-1/4" span between my thumb and ring finger. Also, I saw David Horne do something interesting. He lifts blobs without his index finger. I'm guessing because this allows him to access the best span with his hand. If I ever lift the Blob50, I'm guessing I will need to do it in this manner.

My hand is under 7", 6-15/16" to be exact.

That's why I'm asking if it's even possible for me to

pull this off. I'll be using a Blob50 from Grodon V.

Thanks,

Mighty Joe

I assume that is your hand length. As Matt and I both wanted to point out, hand span is more important. Even with your hand length, your hand span might be sufficient. If you can atleast get the tip of your thumb and the tips of the last 3 of your fingers on the implement, you will have a chance, you just need a different approach. I think one fine example is Matti Heiskanen (another finnish guy who goes by the nick kilkkinen on this forum), who just recently posted videos of 50 lbs+ lifts on the blobette has said to me that he applies pressure mostly through the fingertips, as he has shorter fingers.

Check it out and see, mostly fingertip pressure:

Matti has insane hublifting abilities and I guess that's where that fingertip strength comes from.

Oh and I'd like to add to what Matt said about David Horne, that I'm not getting much help from my index finger either on these lifts.

Edited April 6, 2009 by Teemu I

[Cannon]

Joe, this is good insight. What is your hand span? If you're like me, maybe you lucked out I have a 7-5/8" hand, but a 9-1/4" span between my thumb and ring finger. Also, I saw David Horne do something interesting. He lifts blobs without his index finger. I'm guessing because this allows him to access the best span with his hand. If I ever lift the Blob50, I'm guessing I will need to do it in this manner.

My hand is under 7", 6-15/16" to be exact.

That's why I'm asking if it's even possible for me to

pull this off. I'll be using a Blob50 from Grodon V.

Thanks,

Mighty Joe

But what is your hand span? >>LIKE THIS<<

[jad]

Maybe all the added fingertip pressure is what made my blobs shoot up after I was training thin pinch...hmmmm

[meelhama]

I'm working with a 7.5/8.5 hand. I've never seen or even attempted a blob. However, when I look at a 1/2 a 100lb hex, it just looks impossible. I plan to buy a 80 lb hex and work up from there.

I imagine a hub will help a lot as well.

[barbe705]

I worked block weights and added weight as I could. At the time the biggest I had was a 45# hex. I was pulling that +15 before gripmas. at gripmas I pulled the blob 50 and Josh Dale's "slick 50" fatman. I think block weights are good enough and a lot easier and cheaper to come by.

brent

[burkhardmacht]

I trained with the blobette and a blob50. A lot of my blob strength comes from fatbar work - I'm sure.

Concerning the handsize I can say that hand length is a minor factor and the span is what matters most. That's the reason why I had a lot of problems lifting the blob although I have 7 7/8 hands (length). My hands measure from fingertip of thumb to fingertip of index 7 3/8 inch and from thumb to middle finger 8 1/2 inch which is both not much!

Here's the video - as You can (hardly) see I'm putting the index finger on top of the blob which feels better sometimes. Sometimes it's better to position the hand in normal style and it's also different if it's better to simply grab the blob with the lifting hand or if I help with the not lifting hand to find a good grip with the lifting hand. Blobs are diffficult....

video link

Edited April 6, 2009 by Burkhard Macht

[acorn]

I've cleaned the blob with hand length of just over 8" but the length doesnt tell the whole story. my palm length compared to my stubby fingers is pretty long. I think span from pinky to thumb tip is a better indicator for whether you can lift the blob or not. mine is 8 5/8" prolly one of the shorter ones on the board. For me Its much more comfortable to lift it without the index finger. Even with it, its barely on. You just have to get strong enough. Negs on the blob, and specific work on thumb strength are the key IMHO.

[Bob Lipinski]

For stubby fingered guys, I think it is also necessary to tilt the blob as much as you can. Strong wrists help there.

[climber511]

Many of us have discussed this while comparing hands and Blob performances - length - span - and how much your thumb will "oppose" your fingers will all contribute to the ease and or difficulty you will experience. My hand is 7 5/8" - span is small and my thumb does not stretch to quite 90 degrees (probably why the span is so small). I'm not gifted at Blobs but have cleaned the regular Yorks and lifted a few Fatman blobs. I will never lift one by the face I am sure.

Weather you think you can or you can't - you're right!