The Blob

I got a BLOB50! I picked it up from GordonV in person, but only met him briefly outside his work for the exchange. The quick passing of money, nearby idling car, and the way you have to cradle the BLOB50 when carrying it around is probably the closest I'll ever come to buying a baby on the black market. It would have been cool to hang out with Gordon!

Pinch workout

• The Bear x10 warm up
• 70 x5 2hp
• 75# 1hp, miss, partial with left about 1ft off the ground!
• 120 x1, 2hp
• 140 x1
• 155 x partial, miss. Partial was about 1ft off the ground.
• 70 1hp, hold x1
• BLOB50, 2hp, holds x5
• Pony thumbs x3

The BLOB holds were interesting. It helped me get a feel for the width of the beast. I concentrated on squeezing really hard, like a pinch overcrush. Good workout for the thumbs!

Back from vacation.

Did this workout last Thursday, Grippers:

• HG150 x10
• #1 x8
• #2 x1
• T6 x1
• Vendetta 3, miss, miss
• T6 xDouble, x1, x1
• BBE neg
• T6 x1

This was a weird workout. I rarely do a workout outside my "element." Chalk felt weird and it seemed like there was too much humidity or something. Max crush was just not there. My hands felt good otherwise and I stopped the workout because my wrists were feeling sore.

I believe I will be picking up a BLOB50 on Monday!

Rolling Thunder!

Quick workout.

• 90 x5
• 115 x2
• 140 x1 (New PR!)
• 155 x0, 140 felt so good I shot for the moon.
• 145 x0, maybe if I had not tried 155
• 120 x15, tough but made it with the right.
  
• Pony thumbs x2

I got the PR by basically yanking the weight off the floor. In the past, I usually ease into the lift more. My issue is breaking the weight off the floor. I don't think I've ever lost it at the top.

GAP to Offer "Confidence"

...no kids, your favorite store is not selling a new fragerance. Put away your wallets.

I took another shot at the 164# BBE tonight and was left with what I decided was a 1/8" gap. This was measured by the very exact science of resizing the photo on my computer until the gripper handle measured 3/4", then I measured the gap on the screen. Exactly 1/8".

It's an approachable gap, I believe. Close enough to get into the powerful range of motion and really feel like I'm clamping down on the gripper. As if the slightest increase in strength or speed could topple the sticking point and keep the handle moving. Explosive speed is something I need to work on anyway. Maybe time to do some chokers next workout?

For your viewing pleasure; the GAP:















Tonight's workout:

• HG150 warm up
• #1 x singles
• #2 x singles
• T6 x2 singles
• MM1 x1, it was nice to close this again proving my previous success was not a fluke.
  
• BBE attempts x2, forced in
• MM1 x1, could have been a miss. Let's call it a miss.
• Double-filed BBSM, x1, forced in for a negative crush
• Filed BBGM negative crush x3, brutal
• Filed #2 reps x4, x8
• Pony thumbs x3 sets, added another rubber band, wrapped in triplicate.

Overall, a good workout. Everything felt really good.

Great Green Globs

My beguiling and persuasive wife convinced me to help pull up a bunch of sod in the yard. Good lord, that's hard on the body. My hands and forearms are as sore as they've ever been with any grip workout.

We got the project done but it ruined my grip workout plans for last night. I was holding out hope for recovery today, but I am feeling pretty shot. I might do some light grippers if I have energy--we'll see.

V is for Vendetta

I have had a grudge with this gripper ever since it arrived from Ironmind. Last night I finally settled the score. This gripper has been calibrated by three different people everywhere from 163 to 150. I calibrated it again today at 155. I've rarely been able to get the same number twice. It has a 2-7/8" spread and a pretty unforgiving sweep. It has bested me consistently but no longer. Success. Victory. TRIUMPH!

I couldn't tell at first, but I'm pretty sure that sound you hear is the handles smacking. Handle, meet handle. You'll be spending a lot of time together.

2005 #3 Gripper Close VIDEO

Set width:














Close:

BIG WORKOUT

Big workout with Luke last night! When I was leaving, I made a comment to my wife, "How long could we possibly work out?" Apparently the answer is slightly over 2 hours!

We started with grippers and then pinch. My only goal on grippers was to close my 2005 #3, which I have never shut. The calibration for this gripper is crazy. It has gone as high as 163 and as low as 150. It's been calibrated by three different people; Luke, Acorn, and me. The frequency of oiling seems to make the most difference, but there is no clear reason for the difference in numbers. It has a hard sweep and about a 2-7/8 spread. Last night, I finally won! This gripper went down like a spectacular flaming meteor. It's not a PR, but just as exciting because it eluded me for so long. I intend to calibrate it again when I get home tonight to see where it stands right now. I will also post the video.

Otherwise, we blasted pinch and revolving handle lifts. I didn't write everything down, so here are the highlights I can remember:

• 2005 #3 closed!
• 2x35s came up again, both hands.
• Made about 5 attempts at 5x10s and it was not meant to be.
• Worked up to 147# on 2HP and broke 160# off the floor. That would have been a PR.
• Did 3 ten second holds with 120-130#. Brutal.
• Worked up to 135-140ish on Luke's 2" revolving stainless steel handle.
• 15 reps at 115# on the 2" stainless handle. Ouch.
• 15 reps at 105# on the 2" stainless handle.
• TTK using the same method as on my Pony Thumbs.

Having a workout partner really makes a difference. I left nothing in the tank and I have a hard time getting to that point by myself. Thanks, Luke!

Video footage of the #3 close to come.

Grippazh

Before I started this workout I would have guessed it was going to be a good one. But turned out to be nothing special and I didn't have a ton of energy.

• HG150 x15
• HG150 x15 inverted
• #1 x10
• GM @ 1/4" x1, 1
• #3 x1, 1
• Filed GM @ 1/4" with long hold, x1, 1, 1

So here is the thing. I don't know much about peaking. I'll take any advice anyone has to give. I'm watching people I would assume are stronger than me miss the MM1. My turn is coming. Workouts like today show me that it's possible to feel good and be wrong. When it's my turn to cert, I have a plan in mind for warming up and testing myself and if it doesn't go well, I won't open the box that day, but I think that will shake my confidence.