Pinch

It's always nice to get a PR on video! I captured on video 2x35s with both hands tonight.

• 2HP warm up, light plates and 70lbs
• 1HP, 70# x1, x1, x1 VIDEO
  
• 1HP, 75# negs x1, x1
• 2HP, 70# holds, ~5-10 secs with exaggerated wrist tip, x1, x1, x1
• Pinch Block, 45x1, not feeling it
• Pony Thumbs x2

So a shorter workout, but I am interested to see how my wrists/extensors/forearms respond.

Grippers are next.

Wrists

So I think this wrist/extensor/forearm pain I've been having is passing. I wonder if it was a combo of the RT and grip workout, plus about 55 hrs of solid typing over 5 days. Yuck. Overtime is nice, though.

I might not press my luck this weekend, but do some active recovery stuff instead. Like some extensor bands, maybe really light Heavy Hammer. An oxymoron methinks.

I feel like such a pansy at work with my nerdo-ergo-keyboard, but there is no doubt it provides a better wrist position while typing. If anyone gives me grief, I have a phonebook on standby so I can up the machismo right on the spot. :D

Grippers

So, the whole point of this workout was to see how I stacked up against a 164# BBE from my friend Greg:

• HG150 X20
• HG150 X15 inverted
• #1 x3
• #2 x2
• BBGM @ 1/4" x1, super easy
• #3 x1, super easy, almost got a double.
• BBE, miss, bad set
• BBGM, closed
• BBE x2, both misses, maybe 1/8" at best or just outside
• #2 x5

So, pretty good strength overall. There is some fatigue in my tendons or something. My pinky just didn't feel right, but didn't seem weak which I feel is good.

Overall, I'm fairly happy with this. I think I can get this BBE closed within a month. I'd like to be very close, or closing it when I come up for the MM1.

Work stress

So I've been working a ton lately--a 15 hr day here and there--and the typing seems to be taking a toll. I don't know if it's the beginning of carpal tunnel or what, but I don't like it. Feels like my hands are swollen, but they are not. Also I feel like there is some numbness in the pinky. I am getting one of those ergo-keyboards so maybe that will help.

I do hope to finally get to that gripper workout tonight and I feel recovered from working out, so it will be interesting so see if my hands feel fresh or what.

I really don't like the bit of numbness in my pinky.

Friggin Sore

As above, I'm sore from that RT workout! Feels good.

Gripper workout is next, maybe this weekend. I am really excited to try a 164# Elite from my friend Greg. My guess is that I'll be anywhere from 1/8" to closed. We'll see!

Rolling Thundah

This one was a bit passed due. I need to hit this every week to week-and-a-half.

• 70# swings x8
• 105 x3
• 105 x3
• 130 x0, best was about a 1/2 pull
• 130 x0, just was not coming up
• 120 x15, 7 reps were assisted righty, meaning that I gave just a little help to get it moving. 14 were assisted lefty.
• 105 x15, all good reps, no break.
• Pony Thumbs x3

This workout hit my thumbs pretty good. Now I just need to hit this again in a week or so and try 15 reps at 110lbs. I'm done thinking I can just skyrocket on this.

Heavy Hammer

Dirty kids = bath time = Heavy Hammer

• 2.5# x10 side-to-side
• 2.5# x15 to the front
• 5# x10 side-to-side
• 5# x5 to the front
• 5# x5 to the front

So a lighter work out last night. I did cut it a bit short because Kid #2 was ready to get out of the tub.

MASH MONSTER

Things are going well. Last night was another one of "those" nights. I wasn't really planning a workout, but decided to do grippers and managed 5 out of 6 solid closes on my MM1 Replica. I almost crapped my pants!

Grippers

• HG150 xbunch
• #1 x3
• #2 x2
• HG300 x1
• Adjustable BBGM x2 (I don't think I've tried to rep this before)
• IM #3 x1, I've never had a #3 close feel so easy and solid
• MM1 Replica, 6 attempts, closed, closed, closed, miss, closed, closed. VIDEO OF ATTEMPT #6

Most of the closes felt really good and solid. Attempt 6 almost ripped the callous off my palm. This is a replica that I bought directly from Warren and the handles are pinned, not adjustable. I've had it for a while and have never been closer than about 1/8". The calibration was 158#. Knurling is friggin sharp.

I am currently signed up for the MM1 at the Gripboard, but probably won't get my turn until July or August because of the roster ahead of me. But now I have no doubt I will be ready by then.

I can't say enough about the difference it has made to give more focus to all-around hand strength. I am positive my gripper PRs are the result of my pinch, RT and wrist workouts. That and some good-ole-fashioned hard work!