Ben Edwards
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The problem with grippers being a USAWA official lift is that it doesn’t conform to our general rules required of the official lifts. Each gripper is different in closing strength and the standardization of the size of the different brands of grippers are much different. You can’t progressive “load” grippers like all other official lifts. Also, pretty much impossible to create a record list for grippers. I’ve thought alot about this as Ben has made this suggestion before, and I know how grip lifters are always looking for events that contest grippers
When I was hosting grip contests I’d “try” to have grippers of the same brand if possible. Because you’re right that it’s not an apples to apples comparison when you’ve got a super narrow spread (handles very close together) gripper from one manufacturer and the same poundage rating with an IronMind gripper that is over an inch wider. I’d choose the narrower gripper with the same rating every time. Because it would feel easier to close. But basically, the IronMind grippers (just using them for an example) are easy to use in contests because they are about as reliable as you can get for that price point. They’re usually 2.75″ or wider between the handles.
I do see how the individual variances in grippers and rating devices would make it pretty much impossible to have grippers be an official part of USAWA comps though.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
I’ve always loved training with grippers. Anyone who has been to the Dino Gym probably has seen my obsession with them as demonstrated by my “gripper board”! I’ve always felt gripper training is real practical grip strength as it applies to the everyday use of the hands.
Your gripper board is one of my favorite collections of grippers, actually. Not because there are an insane amount of them. But because you have some old IronMind grippers in with the new grippers of multiple brands. And having a rated number attached to them always makes them more interesting in my opinion than wondering if it’s an “easy” gripper or a harder one of whatever brand. The biggest difference I can think of was between some of the old Heavy Grips 300s from over 10 years ago. I had one in particular that the more I closed it, the narrower it got – all the way down to 1 and 7/8″ spread between the handles. Which is super narrow. That gripper was never tampered with (no heating of the springs or anything like that) but it got so easy that it was easier to close than any #2 I’ve ever closed. And I’ve closed a LOT of them. My friend Travis had an HG300 that was harder than all of the 100+ #3s I’ve ever closed. It was almost 3″ spread and didn’t even feel like the same gripper as most other HG300s from that time period.
I agree about the gripper training being real practical grip strength, despite what some people think about closing grippers being only good for closing grippers.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Maybe the Grip Champs can be postponed to warm weather instead. I like the sound of a grip contest close to my birthday in May. My hands do not like the cold.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Congrats to everyone that lifted! Looks like some good numbers all around. I too enjoy seeing the kid’s involvement and enjoy sharing it with my daughter Josie. She did her first grip contest in October and loved it. Socially distanced, masked, and all.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
I sent him a letter a few weeks before he passed. I met him at the Dino Gym and was very impressed with his strength and of course had heard a few great stories of his deadlifting prowess. RIP Wilbur.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
I would love to see Mary McConnaughey and Kevin Fulton compete again. There are others that would be fun to see again from years past. Matt Graham is one of the strongest grip guys I’ve ever seen in person. He would be a blast to have at the Grip Champs.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Eric, I saw in your latest blog entry that you said Lift for Leroy is less than 2 weeks away. It’s 4 days away, right? So what you said is correct, but the wording made me worry that maybe I’ve got the wrong Saturday marked down for the postal and record day.
I’m not doing any of the postal lifts. But I will be a dedicated loader for all of the postal competitors.
The record day lifts I will be doing are the Fulton Deadlift Ciavattone Grip and Middle Fingers Deadlift. And that (MFDL) only if you have a grippy, sharp bar like the one Al uses at the Dino Gym for MFDL contest time. I plan on taking 2 attempts per lift, pass or fail.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Happy belated birthday Laverne! I SO wanted to be there that day, but had to work last-minute OT instead. My gag gift idea was a single Fat Gripz on a cane. Really disappointed I didn’t get to set a few records and present Laverne with the gift. I didn’t have a roast prepared, solely because he is so nice I couldn’t even be mean to him in jest.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Congrats Chad! Impressive Ben!!
Thanks, John! It was nice to meet you and a pleasure to see you do some big lifting! I really wanted to channel some of my mojo on the middle fingers deadlift for the index fingers deadlift…didn’t turn out that way though.
Nice meeting you too! Impressive lifting. But you tore some skin did you? webbing? *shiver*
Yeah, I tore a flap of skin off on the left index finger where it meets the palm. I drove to a gas station after we were done and bought super glue to get it back in place. It’s actually a nasty little tear because I bump it all day long at work or really doing anything that involves the hands.
Your final lift on 230 pounds made me legit jealous because it looked like you had a lot more in you! And in your not-delicate hands (unlike mine).
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Congrats Chad! Impressive Ben!!
Thanks, John! It was nice to meet you and a pleasure to see you do some big lifting! I really wanted to channel some of my mojo on the middle fingers deadlift for the index fingers deadlift…didn’t turn out that way though.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Geez Ben, I can’t believe I missed that! It has now been corrected in the blog.
I’m feeling really bad now, especially since that slip up and about forgetting you during the awards presentation after the grip meet!
Thanks, Al! It probably sounds petty to point out 5 pounds difference. But that extra 5 pounds hurt even more, lol. Don’t feel bad about the slip up, I had a great time and am frankly impressed it doesn’t happen more often in comps I’ve been to over the years.
If it makes you feel better, remember that I misloaded (Chad caught it right away) on the FIRST EVENT of the contest Saturday – haha! So I have no room to criticize anyone about details.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
I’ll be there!
Great! Look forward to seeing you there again, Chad.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Thanks for the heads-up on those, Lance! I’ve heard of both series, but didn’t know they were on Netflix right now. I’ll be watching them this weekend if I do things right.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
It’ll be good to see you again, Denny! Hope you can make it out.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
Nice to see you on the forum, Jeff! Would love to meet you at a USAWA contest in the future. Good luck on the healing, buddy. I have been there (Judo throws, etc.) and it takes some time to heal. I healed pretty fast when I was 25. Not so much at 42 though, lol.
Always enjoy reading John McKean’s writing!
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." -Mike Tyson
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