29.5 Lb sledge in Chris Rice's setup at Gripmas 2009

I will not be updating this for a week or so because i am doing an experimental gripper program and it would not be fair to post it just incase some is really reading this.

Gripmas was a blast. I only beat 1 guy and took last place in 4 of the 5 events BUT i won the sledge hammer event for the heavyweight division. I tied with the best lift in sledge with Bob in the lightweight division (thanks for pushing me Bob Lipinski) I even won the adjustable sledge Bob donated as a prize (thanks again Bob).

The set up Chris Rice built made it alot easier because there was a little bounce at the bottom (for some people it was alot of bounce) and the guide rails made it easier on the desent because you could slide the hammer down that rail and the friction helped. The good thing is this set up made it safe and easy to judge. and thats what is needed for an event to be consistent.

There has been talks about how Chris could upgrade it and change the judging in the future. But this was a great start for us sledge hammer lovers. (I know it sounds weird) Maybe next time the bumper at the bottom could be moved up about an inch so if you bump it and it moves to the bottom, the lift does not count. We will see where it goes from here, but the good thing is it was consistent for all the competitors that day, and i tied for the best lift when we all followed the same rules. Now next time will be different but i am very happy for this time. Maybe one day this can get standardized enough so someone could set a world record, but that will be in the future. So unfortunately there is nothing beyond this comp that our results can compare with but thats okay, i would rather see it get standardized and the set up be available for promoters to purchase from the same manufacture and then i will set and keep the WR. Right now i am just glad Chris got this ball rolling and there is atleast 1 event i do okay at. Thats more then enough to motivate me to get better, ALOT better at the other aspects of grip.

I also met a bunch of great guys, Mike Rinderle, Bob Lipinski, Jedd, Chris, Chad, Dave, Zach and a bunch of others, sorry my memory for names is very bad. And now have plan on working out at Jedd's with his crew. I can't wait, next year is going to be great.

One last thing, I was there to see Jedd set the WR on the 2 HP. What an experience, he is so motivataing to be around, and down to earth, i just can't wait to train with him. There is so much more i can learn from him (on top of all i learned from his blog & e-books already)

I would type more but for now i need to get off this computor for a little while

Last night i did a partial workout. Nothing serious. I am having a really hard time getting ready for Gripmas. I think its because i ruled myself out of every event but the sledge.

Sledge:
5 reps of 1 with 12 lbs
- i took off the tape and held it at the bottom of the handle.
- Bob was right (thanks Bob Lipinski) if i stand the sledge up un the handle and just put my hand low enough for the meat of my hand to touch the platform, my pinky is about 1/2" up from the bottom. It still felt pretty comfortable

RT:
141.2 R & L
151.2 R & L
161.2 R & L
165.2 Missed R & L
163.7 R only (missed with my left) PR

CoC #2
- 3 sets of 2
- way off, i need help with a gripper program that i can do without stopping all other grip work.

2" V-Bar
- 158 5 sets of 1 R&L
- just did this as my stretch, that about it.

Last nights workout was basiclly just bending. I set a PR in the reverse style

1 - 320 lb 6od nail reverse
1- 450 lb 6" Grade 5 x 1/4" reverse
1- 540 lb 6" red nail reverse PR (actualy bent it to 55 degrees, so i have more in me)

I was almost going to try a 600 lb bastard next, but it was getting late, after Gripmas i will really work on my reverse style ALOT.

22.5 lb sledge

22.5 lb sledge, YES !!! I'm still training for Gripmas but this was a big mental step for me. I'm doing it off a platform. It was sloppy but i made it

I took a couple of days off, and i just wanted to go all out tonight. I did a 12 lb warmup, 18.5 lb, 20 lb and then 21.25 lbs. Then i figured i should get the video camera. I missed my first attempt, i got it down to my forehead but it really wobbled on the way up and i stopped. Thats when i knew i could get it on th enext attempt. Now yes i lifted my shoulder, but my wrist stayed at the same level, does my shoulder help that much? Do others do it that way at the comp? We will find out soon.

I tried messing with my Blob too but only got a couple of inches again. I did do my #45 plus 5, which is my PR, but i really ant that #50 blob. Soon, real soon