Week 1, workout 2

Today’s job was to do severe negs for both hands with extended handle grippers and add rubber bands to pony clamp for added resistance.

Gripper negs

R: 10 x 1 with filed extended handle BB Pro

L: 10 x 1 with extended handle RB 365

Notes:

- I placed the handle further towards the thumb to get more of a “BTR”-work done.

- I endured pretty well this time

Thumb work

5 x 1severe negs with pony clamp+rubber bands

- every neg forced in 3 times ( I call these minisets )

Very good grip workout. I have plans for the Secret Weapon printed out and will change to training with that instead of ext. handle grippers as soon as I get it.

Eccentric training, week 1, workout 1

After having a couple of really good conversations with a friend, who is creative, very smart and analytic about his training, I decided I need to shock my hands to progress further from present point. So I’ll be going on with eccentric only-type of program for some time. Maybe 8 - 10 weeks. It shall include one workout, where I’ll be using a gripper just slightly above my goal gripper for both hands. Another workout of the week will be SW negs once I get the machine, but until I do I’ll try to get most out of filed extended handle grippers. I’ll include some thumb work as well, trying to microload a pony clamp progressively on each workout.

Workout 1:

5 gripper negs with both hands, fighting to the bitter end on each single. I was using a 206,5 lbs #4 with right hand and uncalibrated MM3dup with left hand. No timing or counting, just focusing on the quality of the efforts, trying to make sure I’ve given it my all on each single.

For thumb work, I did 5 negs the same way using a pony clamp.

Hands are wasted, hard to write.

Vulcan

Just got the Vulcan Gripper from David Horne and experimented with it the day before yesterday. It is too early for me to come up with a decent analysis or review, but let’s say I see the potential this piece of equipment has. I will post more thoughts about it as I get to use it more. After the first training session with this gripper that is built like a rock, my hands are still totally fried.

Test day

I tested myself against the 201 lbs #4 today after a good recovery. Well, as usual, despite feeling well recovered and all, I was slightly off the gripper groove. I took 5 attempts with somewhat deeper than usual sets, yet could not bring the handles closer than 2 mm at best. Sets felt quite strong and fast as well. I finished this workout by getting some really good and explosive choker closes on the Grand Elite.

Not too worried about still not hitting the jackpot, as every little step of improvement in any way, whether it is the setting strength or speed or sweep strength or close strength or beeing able to attempt a #4 with better technique than before, it’s all good. The #4 close will become reality when all the little things line up. Hands felt well rested today and I think I’ll be able to make some good workouts within a next couple of weeks.

Time to rest

I took a few test closes on grippers to determine if I need to rest. I decided to take a 4-5 days of rest and train very lighly on assistance exercises and do everything I can to help the recovery. The plan is to come back stronger after proper recovery and see what I can do next week.

One of those weaker days

1. MMS attempts on the 201 lbs #4

- limited to only 2 attempts, as the strength was way down on the last little bit

- happy to notice however, that setting felt even better than last time, it was not too bad to pull the handle to parallel

- combining setting this easily and peak form on the last little bit should bring better result

2. Couple of MMS closes on easier grippers, such as Elites

- went to these after quickly realizing I couldn’t move the handles on a choked BBGE much, which is pathetic

-just trying to be explosive and grind the handles briefly

Well, that was it. I have a hard time deciding whether to take a few extra days of rest or just pound away and wait for the right day. It was not good to not be able to get much movement on the choked BBGE. Last week it was a piece of cake from 26 mm! Such is a difference between a really good and a really bad day.

Getting even closer, but no cigar!

Today’s training session was in my mind the one I manage to close a #4. But the gripper won once again with small marginal. I took 5 really good attempts on it, missing it by 1-2 mm 4 times. First attempt was poor technically. So the hunt continues..rest of todays training included choker closes on the BBGE for the right hand and negs on the same gripper for the left hand. I’m tempted to ask “why the #4 is so hard ?”

Injury is history

I was very happy to notice, that all the pain was gone and I could again MM-set grippers. GREAT! Just for the joy of it, I took MMS attempts on the 201 lbs #4 again. I took 8 attempts. I noticed how setting and the MMS technique was a bit off due to having a break from regular attempts. So the first 4 attempts were a waste of strength really, crappy attempts in every way, the gripper just did not feel right. BUT the fifth attempt was totally different: set felt strong, I saw the handles at parallel, squeezed hard and the fingers were properly on the handle. The result was a mere 1 mm miss, the best attempt for me ever. I’m happy and frustrated at the same time. I will probably crank away a couple of more workouts with choker work emphasis and try this #4 again. It is getting closer, should not take too long now. I’ve usually been able to overcome the last 1 mm fairly quick. Now the setting strength is probably close to what it should be and the technique will return to it’s top form fairly quick I believe.

Another good choker day

I trained only right hand today, still waiting for lefty to heal properly.

1. Choker closes on 202 lbs BBGE

- 26 mm distance: 2 strong closes, grinding the handles. PR:

-Going up to 27 mm distance. Again, 2 strong closes grinding the handles. PR.

- Went up to 28 mm. It was too much, awful miss.

- Closes felt somewhat slow despite feeling pretty strong othervise.

2. No-set attempts on 201 lbs Narrow Pro

- Holding the spring with free hand.

- Took 5 singles.

- Closest attempt was only 2 mm off this time. PR.

Felt really good today to make noticeable progress. I hope to be able to keep this pace up now for some time.

Good choker day

I trained only right hand heavily, took a bit lighter ring finger and pinky training for left hand.

1. Choker closes on 202 lbs BBGE

- Going straight to 26 mm distance.

- Took 5 singles.

- Got 3 closes. PR.

- Closes felt somewhat slow despite feeling pretty strong othervise.

2. Choker closes on 197 lbs BBSE

- 30 mm distance, the widest distance I’ve closed this gripper at my previous peak.

- Took 3 singles.

- Still got 1 close.

- I feel the strength on the last little bit has now started to develop again.

NOW, I can’t wait for my left index finger to heal, so I can parallel set again. My choker work condition should soon be sufficient for new personal bests. I just have to wait patiently, easier said than done but I don’t want to take risks at this point.