Sean Dockery Posted April 30, 2004 Posted April 30, 2004 (edited) I just noticed that one year ago today I registered on the Gripboard. This information caused me to think back over the past year and reflect on where I've been, where I'm going, and some things I've learned along the way. Rather than bore everyone with my progress and goals, I've put together a list of the things I've learned about this community in the hopes that others can learn from my experiences. Lesson #1... I am no expert. Sargeant Schultz expressed this best when he said, "I know nothing!" I quickly realized that the people on this board knew more about grip training (and strength training in general) than I did. So, I resolved to listen more that talk. Lesson #2...Old Posts are your friend. I spent the first 4 months reading old posts. I used the search function. I went to profiles of various members and used the "Find all posts by this Member" function. I learned about gripper variation, the Inch controversy, Joe Kinney, Vince Basile's pinch machine, Apollon, etc, etc, etc. But most importantly by reading old posts I learned how this board functioned, and what this board honored. Lesson #3...This board honors doers. I learned that we love world class grip strength here on the Gripboard, but we also honor people no matter where they are in the journey to their goals. A corollary to this is..... Lesson #4...Do not claim what you can not do. We love proof. We love to get together and train. This is one of the few online communities that has a large number of get togethers in real life. Because of this, never claim a feat you are not ready to perform in front of people from the board. Lesson #5...Talk is cheap. You will not be respected simply because of a high post count. Rather, you will be respected for how you conduct yourself when you post and when you meet up with other board members. It is worth mentining that some of our most respected members (Heath Sexton, Pat Povilaitis (sorry if I butchered the spelling), Wade Gillingham, David Horne, Richard Sorin, Steve McGranahan and John Wood come to mind) have relatively low post counts. However, when these men speak others listen. That's my list. Bring on your additions or corrections. Thanks to everyone who makes the Gripboard #1 for grip strength! Edited April 30, 2004 by Sean Dockery Quote Patient consistency will always triumph over fickle enthusiasm. Jesus Christ is not a hobby. Get Farm Strong! Goal: Twist a broomstick in two
tmmicklabs Posted April 30, 2004 Posted April 30, 2004 Great Post Sean. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. Quote
terminator Posted April 30, 2004 Posted April 30, 2004 Very astute comments Sean BTW, you actually spelled my name correctly! Quote Real name: Pat Povilaitis
Jonathan McMillan Posted May 1, 2004 Posted May 1, 2004 Sean, Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts on reflecting over the year. How about adding to your post -your gains, and if your goals have changed etc. Jon@han Quote 2007 goal: get a #3 shut
Sean Dockery Posted May 1, 2004 Author Posted May 1, 2004 Alrighty, here's some of my progress and some future goals: When I became a member, I could close the #2 from time to time. I had no idea there was such a thing as "setting the gripper". I'd read about blockweights in MOHS, but had never experienced them. And had never even tried to bend a nail. In the past year, I have learned about daily training, setting grippers (which I never became proficient at), recovery methods, and training logs. Three of the four concepts above have been instrumental in my progress. Right now I can close an average #3 from time to time, can Dl the 50lbs Blob after a warmup, can break an Inch replica 3-4 inches off the ground, can lever a 12lbs sledge to my nose strictly, and can bend 60d common nails. My goals in the next year are: Become a certified Captain of Crush Dl a 60lb hex blockweight Dl an Inch replica Lever a 16lbs sledge to my nose Bend the IM Red Nail My long term goals are (and by long term I mean 20-30 years): Plate curl 50lbs standard plate Dl the MB Bend an 8" Timber Spike (braced) Chase Slim "the Hammerman" Farman's levering records Make a run at the #4 Clean and Press an Inch replica Clean an Apollon's Axle replica That should keep me busy..... Quote Patient consistency will always triumph over fickle enthusiasm. Jesus Christ is not a hobby. Get Farm Strong! Goal: Twist a broomstick in two
Davekline Posted May 1, 2004 Posted May 1, 2004 Goals? Hublift a 45 with each hand, Have forearms that are bigger than the biceps of some of the bodyless-builders who use straps, wraps and craps on just about every exercise. Quote Life without iron would be a very weak alloy.
Dave H Posted May 1, 2004 Posted May 1, 2004 Sean, You didn't tell me about the sledge-hammer levering you were doing. That's great! I have a 10 pounder that I lever with, and I choke up some on it a little. A 12 pounder with no choke is good, man. Way to go! Sixgun Quote "That's just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don't know nothin about it." Huckleberry Finn, 1885 "I know I can, I know I can, I know I can!" The Little Engine That Could
Roark Posted May 1, 2004 Posted May 1, 2004 Sean, A thinking man's post; well put. Quote http://www.ironhistory.com
EricMilfeld Posted May 2, 2004 Posted May 2, 2004 Not only excellent observations, but strength as well! Quote
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