No replacement for hard work.

I thought I would make a final post here. I have not had the time or energy to blog my workouts this year, but meanwhile I'm enjoying a period of very focused training! I'm simply keeping a paper log of workouts instead. Here is a general update for the major areas I have been training:

Grippers

I anticipate being able to certify on the #3 this year, which is my current top goal. My Kinney-derived training has grip strength through the roof. Wider than CCS attempts on the #3 are about 3/16". But the big news is that the sweep feels like that of a #2. Closing the gripper is no problem--almost effortless--until it stacks at the very end. I have not even begun to focus on fine-tuning the close. I've recently added a plate-loaded grip machine, wrist roller, and TTK. My hands are becoming customized crushing tools, one piece at a time.

Rolling Thunder

This I have not touched but once since hurting my bicep. My bicep is much better and tolerating increasingly intense workouts. I will come back to this eventually, and expect to be basically where I left off because of work on the TTK and thick bar.

Thick Bar

I made myself an axle. This is my new favorite lift as squats have proved to be very hard on my knees. Max is still sub-200 pounds, but I've never done this before. It's fun!

Blob50

I have not touched this in a while either. Again I will expect some carryover from TTK and thick bar. A legitimate lift in 2010 is possible.

Pinch

Just started this again last week and easily lifted 145#. My previous max was only another 10-12 pounds. I will probably do a pinch workout about once per week with Blob and pinch together.

Squats

I have worked up to 165x5 and 135x20, but my right knee especially has been staying pretty sore. I can't tolerate this more than once per week right now and maybe more like every week-and-a-half. I anticipate that I will keep squatting, but probably lighter weights and leave the heavy lifting to the thick bar workouts. I really just want one heavy compound movement and dead lift seems the better choice right now.

There is no replacement for hard work.