Grip Training, what you should know

[Mike Zero]

I'm not sure if this has already been covered and sorry if it has but how do the CoCs compare to the HGs strength-wise?

[nockowt1]

I'm not sure if this has already been covered and sorry if it has but how do the CoCs compare to the HGs strength-wise?

http://www.straighttothebar.com/2007..._where_do.html

[mochi]

http://www.straighttothebar.com/2007..._where_do.html

can't wait to get my rb210.. i gotta start putting more time into grippers too..

[nockowt1]

When I stop being a cheap ass I'll get some RB grippers.

[75kg]

An RT lift is good if any part of the plates come off the ground 2" or more. It's the same as Vbar.

[nockowt1]

An RT lift is good if any part of the plates come off the ground 2" or more. It's the same as Vbar.

Where did you get that info from (it's not on the ironmind website under the rules for certification)?

[75kg]

Where did you get that info from (it's not on the ironmind website under the rules for certification)?

Not sure where I got it from but I'm pretty sure it's 2" or higher.

[nockowt1]

Not sure where I got it from but I'm pretty sure it's 2" or higher.

I think it's probably something that was done for contests to standardize the lift. Here's what ironmind specifies: http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/ope...ngthunder.html

[75kg]

I think it's probably something that was done for contests to standardize the lift. Here's what ironmind specifies: http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/ope...ngthunder.html

Ironmind says "straighten up" so they want lockout.

[John Hicks]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

[75kg]

That thing is a friggin Grand Galaxy isn't it? That those things are !!!!!!!!!!MONSTROUS!!!!!!!!!! I think Kevin Bussi tried calibrating his at one point and loaded up over 550lbs before his power rack tipped over, said it only moved about 1" of the 2.75" spread.

For those of you who don't know anything about gripper calibration, a MONSTER strong #4 closes at 220-230lbs.

[John Hicks]

I think Kevin Bussi tried calibrating his at one point and loaded up over 550lbs before his power rack tipped over, said it only moved about 1" of the 2.75" spread.

I have my own seasoning device, but really I doubt anything will come from it as the spring is just so big; the same goes for the T12 which I also got. It's more of a novelty a.k.a. paperweight more than a true training device. I'll be ordering the rest of them soon and I'll take some pics of those when I get them.

[nockowt1]

Ironmind says "straighten up" so they want lockout.

So as I was saying nothing is mentioned about the distance between the plates and the ground. I guess I'll continue to use a sumo stance with a short ROM.

[Earthtime]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

Pictures worth saving! good luck

[LT1Squirrel]

holy ****, thats a huge spring..cant wait till i can grip again

[Earthtime]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

http://www.nutritiongeeks.com/Search...pper&Submit=Go

[vegasdsm]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

holy sh*t..... the spring on that fawker is hyoooge.....

great comparo pix.....

[vikingsrule92]

WOW John!! That thing is huge!! Ohhh suuurrrreee you came close but couldn't put it away we allll believe you John
Nockowt, the RT must be lifted to lockout, not 2" like Zach said. Train with full ROM, or it's not legal.
Zach, it's a Super Galaxy, as I said on GB the Grand Galaxy never existed, it's a myth. It was meant to be made but it never was. The biggest they make is the Super Galaxy.

[75kg]

WOW John!! That thing is huge!! Ohhh suuurrrreee you came close but couldn't put it away we allll believe you John
Nockowt, the RT must be lifted to lockout, not 2" like Zach said. Train with full ROM, or it's not legal.
Zach, it's a Super Galaxy, as I said on GB the Grand Galaxy never existed, it's a myth. It was meant to be made but it never was. The biggest they make is the Super Galaxy.

I'm always getting the 2 confused. It's not like you see the Galaxy's all that often Besides, the Super might as well be the Grand anyway or for that matter the RBWT It's ridiculous

[vikingsrule92]

I'm always getting the 2 confused. It's not like you see the Galaxy's all that often Besides, the Super might as well be the Grand anyway or for that matter the RBWT It's ridiculous

Haha yeah it doesn't make a difference, I'm just clarifying. It's not like anyone will EVER even chest crush the Super Galaxy much less actually close it, including you John

[Titania]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

An off day ROFL
If you ever close that sucker, well..... lets just say you'd be from another planet!!!!!

So as I was saying nothing is mentioned about the distance between the plates and the ground. I guess I'll continue to use a sumo stance with a short ROM.

IMHO, whether sumo or narrow stance, it doesn't really make much difference. Grip strength is the limiting factor in 90 percent of cases and if you can't move it off the ground, changing your ROM probably won't help.
Having said that, it is worth experimenting with stance in order to minimise the hand swing away from your body. I have found that the more directly up and down my arm moves without touching my thigh, the more I can lift. (The RT is not allowed to touch your thigh during the lift).

[nockowt1]

IMHO, whether sumo or narrow stance, it doesn't really make much difference. Grip strength is the limiting factor in 90 percent of cases and if you can't move it off the ground, changing your ROM probably won't help.
Having said that, it is worth experimenting with stance in order to minimise the hand swing away from your body. I have found that the more directly up and down my arm moves without touching my thigh, the more I can lift. (The RT is not allowed to touch your thigh during the lift).

Thanks for info. I haven't noticed much difference with my grip whether using a sumo or narrow stance, but I have noticed a difference in how my lower back feels (I have a bad back). The sumo stance feels better for my back because of the lessened ROM.

[Titania]

Thanks for info. I haven't noticed much difference with my grip whether using a sumo or narrow stance, but I have noticed a difference in how my lower back feels (I have a bad back). The sumo stance feels better for my back because of the lessened ROM.

Makes sense.

[Darksidekram]

Whats the correct way to measure your hand? Is it pinky to thumb with your hand layed flat?

[75kg]

Whats the correct way to measure your hand? Is it pinky to thumb with your hand layed flat?

If you look at your wrist just below your palm you'll see 2 deep creases. You measure from the crease closest to your palm to the tip of your middle finger.

[John Hicks]

WOW John!! That thing is huge!! Ohhh suuurrrreee you came close but couldn't put it away we allll believe you John

I'm glad all of you believe in ME ...yeah, having an off day sucks, it happens sometimes - just remember, if you believe in yourself and your abilities ANYTHING is possible! I think I just gotta train harder, that's probably it...

[Titania]

I'm glad all of you believe in ME ...yeah, having an off day sucks, it happens sometimes - just remember, if you believe in yourself and your abilities ANYTHING is possible! :-) I think I just gotta train harder, that's probably it...

lol

...and I wholeheartedly agree with you about the bold bit!
Worked for me when I did my car flip

[Earthtime]

I just got my first set of the "T" grippers from Nutritiongeeks.com. I took pics of the T13 gripper just to show you guys what a friggin' spring this thing has on it. It's huge! I put it aside a #2 COC gripper as a comparison and it makes the #2 spring look tiny! Take a look...

BTW, for all you gripper nuts who were wondering what I could do with this monster - well, I got set and took a shot at closing it... I came "oh so close" but just couldn't put it away! Er, maybe I was just having an off day...

Well what's the word John. Are these Tettings as good as Ironmind's and Baraban's for example?
Any comments?

Warren Tetting grippers
http://www.nutritiongeeks.com/Search...pper&Submit=Go

[75kg]

Well what's the word John. Are these Tettings as good as Ironmind's and Baraban's for example?
Any comments?

Warren Tetting grippers
http://www.nutritiongeeks.com/Search...pper&Submit=Go

They are the same thing Tetting has a similar picture on his website.


BTW, the distance between the spring and the handle makes a HUGE difference. In fact, we were calibrating grippers at a recent competition and were messing with a Grand Elite(#4 level). We changed the distance from 3/16-1/8 and the gripper went up about 10lbs in actual difficulty. That means it took only 6lbs less to close than a perfect #4(which calibrates at 209).

For you non-grip guys that's benching 590 instead of 600

[Earthtime]

They are the same thing Tetting has a similar picture on his website.


BTW, the distance between the spring and the handle makes a HUGE difference. In fact, we were calibrating grippers at a recent competition and were messing with a Grand Elite(#4 level). We changed the distance from 3/16-1/8 and the gripper went up about 10lbs in actual difficulty. That means it took only 6lbs less to close than a perfect #4(which calibrates at 209).

For you non-grip guys that's benching 590 instead of 600

"The modern strength training gripper can be considered, by most of those who use these as tests of strength and as a training tool, to have been made by Warren Tetting and promoted and sold by Randall J Strossen of Ironmind (see link). Warren still makes grippers which are sold directly by himself and via [1] (Weightlifters Warehouse) under the name Beefbuilder's."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grippers

Warren Tetting
"I met Warren at his shop yesterday and it was certainly an experience. He loves to talk training and the "good-ole-days." He's really not impressed with current state of sports, especially the strength sports. So, I got an education about the Golden Era. He speaks so passionately about these times, it's understandable why he would be nostalgic.


Grippers
We spent quite a bit of time talking grippers. I brought my CoC1, CoC2, and Heavy Gripper HG 300 just for kicks. He took a quick look at the HG 300 and was appalled by the construction. The spring is huge, .295, same as a BBE! However, the handles are mounted at least 1/4" from the spring, making it much easier. My HG 300 is barely harder than a Co C 2, and definitely easier than a BBSM. If the handles were mounted properly, it would be harder than a 3!


He was also surprised to see my Co C 1. He had not seen the polished GR 8 springs. Also, the spring is .245 which is heavier than before. Co C 1 used to be a .235 spring. So, Ironmind has quietly made the Co C 1 harder, probably to make room for the T, G, and S. We talked about Ironmind and Strossen for a while, but I was confused by the history and didn't really follow.


Big Grippers
"Warren, why the hell do you make these?" That was my question upon picking up some Super-Nova-Galaxy-Evil-Gripper thing. It was whichever gripper is the hardest one he makes. The spring looked like brains. My best effort on the gripper, with both hands, yielded no movement. "Did you say you have a BBA around here somewhere?" Apparently, some benders buy the huge grippers to practice the two-handed crush at the end of a bend. They can have them.


(If you're not familiar, Warren's hardest gripper is about 3 times as hard as an Ironmind Co C 4. Three times as hard...)


Hands
Warren grabbed my hand and says, "Lemme see here." He had me touch the middle of my palm with my thumb so he could poke my thumb pad. "Is that as hard as you can make it?" Sorry, Warren, that's it! So, my thumb pad has a long way to come. He also said my hand needs to get thicker in the palm overall. He recommended telegraph key.


Telegraph Key
I ended up buying one of these from Warren.
http://www6.mailordercentral.com/iro...sp?number=1243

He reiterated, "There is no substitute for building the thumb pad."

Sounds like a deal. We went through how to use the thing, and it's pretty straight-forward. With the machine about waist height, hook the fingers under the bottom key and the thumb on the top key. Close your hand. It's not the presidential-hand-gesture-grip like I thought. Your fingers should be a supinated hook grip. I noticed while using the machine that my thumb would bend at the bottom of the rep. Warren said that's fine, just make sure your thumb is doing the work.


Other training
Warren recommended squats squats and squats. Specifically 20 rep squats, twice a week if possible. Also, forearm work like wrist curls and hammer curls. Never on grip days, though. Telegraph Key twice a week. Get rid of bench press and do reverse dips instead.


Warren does not have a website, but you can reach him by phone or snail mail at: Warren Tetting, C/O Thor Strength, 1063 W. 7th St., St. Paul, MN 55102. Phone: (651)-222-1889."
http://www.davedraper.com/pmwiki/pmw...mWiki/GripWork

So, after reading all that what is Warren's website? lol