Update/choked#3

[Lacknotch]

Since I last posted I have accomplished the following:

Closed my #2.5 w/ both hands

TNS closed my #2 (rt hand only)

Last Saturday I finally closed my choked #3. I measured the opening and it is 7/8"

I gave it a few squeezes last night in an attempt to video the close but I couldn't get it. Following a deadlift workout probably didn't help.

So, here's a few questions:

1) How consistent should I be on the choked #3 before I move it out some?

2) On an unchoked #3 on a good day I can get it down to about 1/2". I think my set sucks. Would this be a clear indication of that?

The funny/interesting thing to me is that I haven't really been concentrating on grip at all. I keep my #1.5 and #2 at work and occasionally mess with them and I'll occasionally throw in some #3 attempts during workouts but I haven't done anything structured. To be honest when I closed the choked #3 last weekend it surprised me. I didn't expect it to go. That being said, I have really concentrated on my deadlift and rowing lately so that probably helped a ton.

I've been itching to get a slightly harder than a #3 gripper to play with but not sure which way to go.

I've also been itching to get a new blob since I can consistently lift the 30# and 35# blobs that I bought from a gripboard member. The blobs I've found on eBay have been real expensive. Are any of the simulators worth it?

Anyway, glad to be back and looking forward to responses

[Guest Bullitt]

I would watch the youtube video on setting by Paul Knight and practice it a lot. A 1/2" is still a ways to go. If you are closing it in a choker, you should be within 1/4" without - IMHO. Learning how to properly set a gripper increased my gripper closes by 15 lbs or more. I wouldn't move the choker out until you can regularly get 3 - 4 good singles on it where it is now.

[Benedikt Farsmann]

I can't answer your questions but I'm also curious if a blob simulator is worth it. RB offers 100mm Pinch blocks for example. How thick is a blob?

[Lacknotch]

I would watch the youtube video on setting by Paul Knight and practice it a lot. A 1/2" is still a ways to go. If you are closing it in a choker, you should be within 1/4" without - IMHO. Learning how to properly set a gripper increased my gripper closes by 15 lbs or more. I wouldn't move the choker out until you can regularly get 3 - 4 good singles on it where it is now.

I remember watching John Hick's set video a good while back. I'll look Paul's up. Thanks for the tips.

I can't answer your questions but I'm also curious if a blob simulator is worth it. RB offers 100mm Pinch blocks for example. How thick is a blob?

Maybe even a plate loadable 4x4 sanded down a little.

I guess I could also do the wire over the top technique to hang more weight from my 35#.

[Lacknotch]

So, Saturday I decided to give the choked #3 some more love between squat sets.

Here's what happened:

#3x1

#3x1

#3x1

#2.5xF (?!?)

#3x1

#3x1

#3x1

Clear indication to me that my set sucks.

Has anyone noticed a choked gripper weakening over time being choked? I seem to remember a discussion on this before but I'm not sure of the general consensus on it.

[Geralt]

So, Saturday I decided to give the choked #3 some more love between squat sets.

Here's what happened:

#3x1

#3x1

#3x1

#2.5xF (?!?)

#3x1

#3x1

#3x1

Clear indication to me that my set sucks.

Has anyone noticed a choked gripper weakening over time being choked? I seem to remember a discussion on this before but I'm not sure of the general consensus on it.

Hi there,

Well, the same goes for me, i closed the #3 with a choker a few times, but without the choker i'm still missing a millimeter. Still, my feeling is that the lesser I train my grip and the more i take my rest in between (grip)workouts, the better my results are. The same for my regular strength training like deadlifts, squats, chins, etc. When i take a few days off, than suddenly i notice in the mirror that my muscles have grown, a result that i'not getting when i'm training for instance every other day, even when training with a variety of excersices...Maybe it has something to do with passing the 30's? I know now that i have the strength to get that last gap of the #3, the same for you i guess, so i would say try to focus on a good starting strength for the first part of the close. I do that by BFN's with a #4. Can't say by the way how my #3 rates, for me it's heavy and it's stamped #3, so that's all i need to know. You'll see we will be closing the #3 in no-time. By the way the reason my training is a mess at this moment is because of some less sleep i'm getting since the birth of my second daughter, for me a good night sleep is really important for good recovery, so i'm cutting back my training now, guess that training is fun, but not my reason of excistance you know...

[Lacknotch]

Hi there,

Well, the same goes for me, i closed the #3 with a choker a few times, but without the choker i'm still missing a millimeter. Still, my feeling is that the lesser I train my grip and the more i take my rest in between (grip)workouts, the better my results are. The same for my regular strength training like deadlifts, squats, chins, etc. When i take a few days off, than suddenly i notice in the mirror that my muscles have grown, a result that i'not getting when i'm training for instance every other day, even when training with a variety of excersices...Maybe it has something to do with passing the 30's? I know now that i have the strength to get that last gap of the #3, the same for you i guess, so i would say try to focus on a good starting strength for the first part of the close. I do that by BFN's with a #4. Can't say by the way how my #3 rates, for me it's heavy and it's stamped #3, so that's all i need to know. You'll see we will be closing the #3 in no-time. By the way the reason my training is a mess at this moment is because of some less sleep i'm getting since the birth of my second daughter, for me a good night sleep is really important for good recovery, so i'm cutting back my training now, guess that training is fun, but not my reason of excistance you know...

Thanks for the input. I'm might need to rethink my approach. I just retooled my workout setup so I can have a day for PT stuff and a day for conditioning. I'd like to get rid of some creakiness and lose a little fat. Not sure where I need to try and fit in some grip work.