Odin's Grip Journey

[gumpster]

Outstanding work on that choked gripper! Maybe Eaton has been teaching you subliminally how to get better without much training.

[odin]

Outstanding work on that choked gripper! Maybe Eaton has been teaching you subliminally how to get better without much training.

Thanks Gumpster, if I continue to train with chokers and hit the "close", I think I should move up pretty quickly due to the broad base I've built. The strength was there all along, but my fumbling sets made me unable to do much. I've heard the last little bit is something that is built with specific training, so I'm happy I am as far along as I am already without any specialization.

It would be interesting to see what strongmen could do with choked grippers, perhaps it is really not so much the "close" that grip specialists excel at, could it be the assistance with the other hand that is the most important factor that allows people to say "<insert monster's name> couldn't even close the #2/#3"? I would like to see choked grippers used in all grip contests, and end all the subjectiveness that goes along with setting.

I believe Chris Rice may have started something at Gripmas, using chokers just makes so much sense for contests, unless you are into measuring other hand skill/strength along with one-handed crush. Despite any explanations you might try, "setting" does look like prestidigitation (sleight of hand) or just plain cheating to the uninitiated. Choking the gripper removes the other-hand skill element and allows the strong novice to squeeze on the same level playing field as the grip specialist, isn't that what you'd want to happen?

Why doesn't IM send cert grippers grippers already set at "credit card" width if that's the width they want them closed at? Less fumbling and room for interpretation/doubt/argument for sure. A true test of crushing ability.

[gumpster]

I think your earlier training with the blob and inch has carried over to other stuff. You've pulled big numbers on the RT and now big grippers are falling. You're slowly but surely becoming a jack of all grip-trades.

I totally agree Bob. The choked grippers setup in contests shows who has the best crushing strength. I always think of Josh Dale at Gripmas last year when they had to cal an extra gripper for him (I bought a copy of the DVD from Chris) - everyone there had no doubt who was the man that day. If I ever get a reasonable spread of grippers and hold my own contests I'll have choked grippers for sure.

I like the idea of having grippers set at credit card width. Then it could just be done TNS style and there would be less complaining. Ironmind won't be doing it but maybe someone will try it at a contest just for fun.

[dropkick]

great work on the choked #3.5 bob (especially while sick), and i like your thoughts about choked grippers and contests. keep up the good work

[knyaz]

well done on the grippers Bob, very impressive, I see some big grippers falling in the future

[odin]

Thanks Gumpster, knyaz, and dropkick!

11/22/08

OH Press: 120 lbs.x5 reps|120 lbs.x5 reps|120 lbs.x5 reps (surprisingly strong)

Dips: BWx 27 reps x 12 reps

Blobs: were a bit off

I have a minor R forearm flexor injury from training Blobs last night. It is one of those "stinger" type of tweaks I've had a couple times from wide pinch, and usually gets better in a week or two. I might try to fix it with some Inch attempts, that's seemingly what put it back in place last time.

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Did some gripper work during the week, but nothing great; was more miss than hit with the 168-lb. choked easy 3.5. My energy was down a bit as I was shaking off the cold I had and ended up having to take antibiotics for a dental abscess and had more root canal-related work as well-in short it will probably be a while until I'm at my physical best again.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thought I'd train a few of the Gripmas events tonight.

Sprints: 5 reps felt good and loose

Front Squats: not feeling too strong, did a few singles w/135

Grippers:

RH: choked easy 168 lb. 3.5x1x1x0x0x1(really crushed it good on first and last attempts). Two near-misses probably just not explosive enough on those attempts.

LH: 156 lb. choked #3: 5 misses, but almost got it a couple times, good improvement

2HP: it was cold out, didn't do too well

1HDL (Oly bar): 225x1 each hand, miss w/255

RP Trainer: closed w/ 7th notch from handles RH, having trouble as middle finger tries to get in the way; LH thumb knuckle got tweaked doing forced closes; pushed it a bit too hard here.

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Saturday 11/29/08

I was just settling in for a rainy-day nap on the couch with the cat when John called me on Skype. Before he called, my gut feeling was that I was going to have an average day on grippers and maybe do a bit better with the Blob. After a few minutes of catching-up, out came the grippers for both of us.

John showed improvement with grippers since the last time I saw him on Skype even though he had lifted Blobs earlier in the day and said he was not doing as well as he'd have liked to. He also did quite well with the Blobs. I'd heard reports that John had attained a physique like Patrick Swayze in Road House, but no, not yet anyway. His forearms and wrists were as jaw-droppingly huge as always.

I'll let John report his progress with the grippers if he chooses to, as he may not wish to let his competition know exactly where he's at. John may need an edge when going up against the likes of Jedd Johnson, Dave Thornton and the rapidly-improving Brent Barbe. Well, for myself, I'm not yet at a level where it would make any difference whether my competition knows where I'm at or not-maybe in 2010 or in my dreams. I'm trying to keep things fun and in perspective.

RH: I shut the choked easy 168 lb. COC 3.5 and held it shut for 5 seconds or more for ~3 sets. Then I started opening the hose clamp up a tiny bit each time (about 3/4 of a full turn overall) and was still able to close it. I think I was able to at least touch the handles on every set but the last (did 7 or 8 total singles), and that was a near-miss.

LH: Was able to shut my choked 155.8 COC #3 for the first time left-handed and was close on a few other attempts.

John thinks I'm capable of closing a 173-175 lb. choked gripper at Gripmas. I think I'll be ready for the MM0 pretty soon, even with my lousy set. John noticed that I still am closing the grippers in the "wrong" position (near thumb pad). I'm afraid if I move it up too far, I won't have the strength I'm gaining with the choker generalize to my un-choked attempts-and I'm more concerned about that than my Gripmas placing. Perhaps I'll try some closes in both locations in case I ever learn a proper MM set.

Blobs: went pretty well, did lots of attempts.

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Last pre-Gripmas workouts

Mon+Tues: lots of extensor work as elbows have been a bit unhappy.

Wed. 12/3/08

grippers: RH closed the 168 lb. choked easy 3.5 2x at .86 and then got 1 out of 3 at .94. LH: 155.8 lb.#3 closed 2/5 choked at parallel; good progress with both hands.

2HP: did about 10 singles with 120 lb. plus device (~170) trying to figure out technique. I will work on this lift more next year, find it boring but Eaton says I'll start liking it after I figure out what works. It is starting to motivate me when guys who are no better than me at the Blob lift a Blob's worth of weight more than I can on the Euro.

1HDL: did a couple singles w/ 245 on an un-knurled old York oly bar. I wonder how the knurled Texas Power Bar will feel?

Blobs: nothing left.

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Thurs 12/4/08: Played w/ grippers a bit at work along w/extensors.

RH: closed easy 3.5 1 out of 5 at .94. LH: 155.8 lb.#3 closed 1/5 at choked at parallel. Considered this a success because I'm trying to get a quick spike in my gripper strength by working them a few days in a row, which I never do. Otherwise, I would focus on making a higher % of the closes.

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Friday: Squeezed hard but couldn't close either of the choked grippers. Closed RB210 LH for the first time and did 3 overcrushes RH on the RB210.

Hands feel like the bone is bruised and skin is raising up like it is trying to blister when the heaviest grippers are being shut, have never worked this hard on grippers before even though I'm doing a fraction of what many do.

I am starting to realize is that I am going to do a lot of improving on grippers if I continue to focus on them periodically. I believe my plan of building a strong overall base while avoiding grippers has helped to set me up for some good gains now. I have opened up the easy choked 3.5 an entire turn on the hose clamp over the last week or so and have still shut it a couple times.

I am also realizing that I am unconsciously holding something back when I squeeze and am going to have to figure out how to overcome that-I honestly don't think I'm hitting 100% often if at all, I'm ashamed to say. At the time I'm doing it my intention is to give it 100%, but something tells me I'm holding a little in reserve? I wonder why-perhaps fear of the unknown or...? When I lift a Blob, I'm not pinching it as hard as I can (I've found that doesn't help and often hurts), rather I am flexing my entire hand and "locking" it, perhaps all the Blob work has somehow contributed to my gripper mindset.

May do a bunch of rear levering tomorrow, know I'm pretty much screwed on the Weaver Stick. My elbows are gradually getting better with the base of easy levering, pronation and supination I've been doing and I should be able to start doing bigger weights next year. This is an area where I don't know what my innate ability is because I have been doing more prehab than training. I may go over to Scott's on Tuesday and try his Weaver Stick and see if he has any tips.

[barbe705]

Bob,

the weaver stick feels really weird. I think that what you do on the day will be a surprise. Don't hold back. take an easy lift and then go for it.

Brent

as a side note the first time I tried it at home the weight came of the stick and I smacked myself in the back of the head. If you can avoid that it the comp you should be fine.

[jad]

To add to what Brent said, watch it getting crooked/sideways on you as it will tweak your wrist in a hurry.

[odin]

Thanks for the tips Brent and Josh. Does a slightly bent elbow help (if allowed)? Any other tips?

As you may have read above, I've mostly done prehab in the levering-related wrist work due due to elbow issues, but am fairly strong for my size on regular wrist curls and reverse wrist curls, etc., so I think I'll be ok a year or two down the road. I picked up a 16-lb. sledge at Home Depot the other day to see what it felt like and it reminded me of my first squeeze on a #3.

[jad]

Thanks for the tips Brent and Josh. Does a slightly bent elbow help (if allowed)? Any other tips?

As you may have read above, I've mostly done prehab in the levering-related wrist work due due to elbow issues, but am fairly strong for my size on regular wrist curls and reverse wrist curls, etc., so I think I'll be ok a year or two down the road. I picked up a 16-lb. sledge at Home Depot the other day to see what it felt like and it reminded me of my first squeeze on a #3.

Weaver hits my RP hard. Moved down almost 6" in one workout when I switched the weaver stick to a nongripper day and moved down another 2-4" the next week. Get low on the lift-off so you can minimize the distance/time you have to lift the weaver stick to hit parallel. You'r probably going to extend your arm back and up like a tricep kickback vs. picking it straight up and that's the getting low helps.

[odin]

Thanks for the tips Brent and Josh. Does a slightly bent elbow help (if allowed)? Any other tips?

As you may have read above, I've mostly done prehab in the levering-related wrist work due due to elbow issues, but am fairly strong for my size on regular wrist curls and reverse wrist curls, etc., so I think I'll be ok a year or two down the road. I picked up a 16-lb. sledge at Home Depot the other day to see what it felt like and it reminded me of my first squeeze on a #3.

Weaver hits my RP hard. Moved down almost 6" in one workout when I switched the weaver stick to a nongripper day and moved down another 2-4" the next week. Get low on the lift-off so you can minimize the distance/time you have to lift the weaver stick to hit parallel. You'r probably going to extend your arm back and up like a tricep kickback vs. picking it straight up and that's the getting low helps.

Thanks Josh, I'm sure technique can add a few pounds; it sounds pretty tricky.

I guess the starting height must be adjusted for each lifter, perhaps from a power rack or...?

[jad]

Thanks for the tips Brent and Josh. Does a slightly bent elbow help (if allowed)? Any other tips?

As you may have read above, I've mostly done prehab in the levering-related wrist work due due to elbow issues, but am fairly strong for my size on regular wrist curls and reverse wrist curls, etc., so I think I'll be ok a year or two down the road. I picked up a 16-lb. sledge at Home Depot the other day to see what it felt like and it reminded me of my first squeeze on a #3.

Weaver hits my RP hard. Moved down almost 6" in one workout when I switched the weaver stick to a nongripper day and moved down another 2-4" the next week. Get low on the lift-off so you can minimize the distance/time you have to lift the weaver stick to hit parallel. You'r probably going to extend your arm back and up like a tricep kickback vs. picking it straight up and that's the getting low helps.

Thanks Josh, I'm sure technique can add a few pounds; it sounds pretty tricky.

I guess the starting height must be adjusted for each lifter, perhaps from a power rack or...?

To my knowledge, everyone starts from the same height/table

[foxyj75]

Thanks for the tips Brent and Josh. Does a slightly bent elbow help (if allowed)? Any other tips?

As you may have read above, I've mostly done prehab in the levering-related wrist work due due to elbow issues, but am fairly strong for my size on regular wrist curls and reverse wrist curls, etc., so I think I'll be ok a year or two down the road. I picked up a 16-lb. sledge at Home Depot the other day to see what it felt like and it reminded me of my first squeeze on a #3.

Weaver hits my RP hard. Moved down almost 6" in one workout when I switched the weaver stick to a nongripper day and moved down another 2-4" the next week. Get low on the lift-off so you can minimize the distance/time you have to lift the weaver stick to hit parallel. You'r probably going to extend your arm back and up like a tricep kickback vs. picking it straight up and that's the getting low helps.

Thanks Josh, I'm sure technique can add a few pounds; it sounds pretty tricky.

I guess the starting height must be adjusted for each lifter, perhaps from a power rack or...?

To my knowledge, everyone starts from the same height/table

I was wondering about that too....

[odin]

To my knowledge, everyone starts from the same height/table

truncated forclarity and content from:

http://www.aussiestrength.com/forums/viewt...p;sk=t&sd=a

by Mr McKinless on Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:14 pm

I have seen people lift off benches but in the '96 British Champs I think we lifted off of racks set to the height of the lifter's arm at it's lowest position when grabbing the Weaver Stick.

Who would have the advantage between Woodall and Lipinski if there is no adjustment? Any adjustment seems like a PITA, but I was wondering about the setup so I could mentally prepare at least. I'll PM Chris if no one knows from previous US contest experience; he'll respond here anyway.

Edited December 8, 2008 by odin

[climber511]

I have boxes and boards that we will use to set each person up at just below level to the floor - in my playing around it's not super critical as long as you are close - it seems like you bend enough to kind of settle in where you want your arm (within reason of course). We will take our grip and it seems like everyone leans forward some - lift and either hold at or above level or raise to that position if you start below it. It sounds more complicated than I think it is.

[odin]

I have boxes and boards that we will use to set each person up at just below level to the floor - in my playing around it's not super critical as long as you are close - it seems like you bend enough to kind of settle in where you want your arm (within reason of course). We will take our grip and it seems like everyone leans forward some - lift and either hold at or above level or raise to that position if you start below it. It sounds more complicated than I think it is.

It feels way harder than it looks.

Scott George Pre-Gripmas Grip-together

We gave each other suggestions on the 1HDL to start. I'm guessing that he 1HDL will be won with 275-285 LW and 315-325 HW; I think I'll be in the 250 range, Of course, the way the bar feels will make a difference.

Scott handed me his 3.5 in a choker at parallel (uncalibrated gripper) and I closed it and held it shut the first time and it felt like a brick on my 2nd try. Didn't want to expend too much effort here, but didn't want hands to get "stupid" either.

Tried some Blobs and showed Scott how I decide where to grasp them. I just pulled them a bit off the ground so my hand wouldn't forget what it was supposed to do.

Did 5 lbs. on the Weaver Stick and missed 7.5-yikes. I know one area I'll be focusing on in training next year. Is it too late to switch the event to thumbless RT?

I'm not reporting what Scott did because he may not want his other competitors to know. But really, mostly what he did was technique-related.

[CoC#3]

Good luck in this contest Bob.

We gave each other suggestions on the 1HDL to start. I'm guessing that he 1HDL will be won with 275-285 LW and 315-325 HW;

That is world class with a freely spinning bar. If i rememeber rightly 125kg (275lbs) won this event at the european grip championships. The bar being used makes a big difference though.

[jad]

Good luck in this contest Bob.

We gave each other suggestions on the 1HDL to start. I'm guessing that he 1HDL will be won with 275-285 LW and 315-325 HW;

That is world class with a freely spinning bar. If i rememeber rightly 125kg (275lbs) won this event at the european grip championships. The bar being used makes a big difference though.

yes, indeed. I usually train it on Sunday nights at my gym and there is nobody in there. My last training session I tried every bar in the gym and the incline bench one, the one that hardly ever gets touched, was a beast. It made 225 feel darn hard. All the others I could pull 265 rather comfortably.

[odin]

The oly bar I used in training is an old York with no knurling, but does not spin freely. I believe Chris has selected a Texas Power Bar for the event. It has knurling, don't know how it spins.

[jad]

The oly bar I used in training is an old York with no knurling, but does not spin freely. I believe Chris has selected a Texas Power Bar for the event. It has knurling, don't know how it spins.

Play with it during the warm-up and look for a sweet spot/sticking spot. Every bar in my gym had one except that incline bench one.

[odin]

Good luck in this contest Bob.

We gave each other suggestions on the 1HDL to start. I'm guessing that he 1HDL will be won with 275-285 LW and 315-325 HW;

That is world class with a freely spinning bar. If i rememeber rightly 125kg (275lbs) won this event at the european grip championships. The bar being used makes a big difference though.

Thanks Sam, I'll need it.

If the bar spins like crazy, I guess the #s will drop a lot; I may have to open w/~205 if Josh pulled 225 on a "spinner".

[odin]

The oly bar I used in training is an old York with no knurling, but does not spin freely. I believe Chris has selected a Texas Power Bar for the event. It has knurling, don't know how it spins.

Play with it during the warm-up and look for a sweet spot/sticking spot. Every bar in my gym had one except that incline bench one.

Thanks Josh; I guess my LH might be good for that, it is always 20# behind my RH on the lift.

[barbe705]

Bob,

I lift at Ryan Celli's gym now. there's a lot of huge powerlifters playing on the texas power bars and they don't stick at all. on the other hand they don't spin real fast. Very smooth. I checked out a couple of them when I started practicing this lift and they were all good spinners.

Brent

[jad]

I think they used a TPB at Larkin's in 06 and I don't remember it spinning terribly fast.

[odin]

. I've been close on this feat with my wide-hubbed milled York 45s that don't fit together very well, but I was still surprised when I was able to do it after a long day of competing. His 45s weigh in @ 90.2 lbs. combined. This was one of my most satisfying feats to date; I've always thought of 2x45 as something only freaks could do ever since I read about it in MOHS.

Chris Rice was also able to do 2x45 for the first time as well; surely he must be the oldest to do it and I may be one of the lightest. His 2HP is miles ahead of mine; I'll be working on closing the gap.

Thursday 12/18: lots of extensor work; 1 hour yoga (teacher keeps pushing my hands down because I cannot get them to lie flat with my arms outstretched).

Saturday 12/20

There was a light rain falling during my workout, but I ignored it and used a towel and chalk as needed.

Sprints: 5 reps

Front Squats: just did light weights as right knee was acting up

Grippers: tried a few reps, but felt really off, so thought I'd leave some in the tank and hit grippers in a few days.

Pinch: did a couple Blob attempts

2HP: tried 48 mm for the first time in ages. Despite fighting the rain and having trouble getting a truly dry surface, I did 170-180-185 and 190 flew right up after dropping it the first try. Broke the ground w/195 as well. Best 2HP session I've had.

I may need to practice some holds with lighter weights because I hang on to faster 2HP lifts better than slow ones, which seems counterintuitive. I will also need to take better care of my hands as their surface is too smooth and dry for my liking (may need better hydration, moisturizer, fish oil). I feel like I can get 5-10 lbs. more on Jedd's setup. I think I'll stick with this width for at least a month before I try 44 mm.

Edited December 21, 2008 by odin