Odin's Grip Journey

[odin]

I think you're looking at the rack I bought. I love it, and doesn't take that much space.

LNF, thanks for the feedback re: rack. How hard was it to put together? I'm extremely "mechanically challenged". :blush

[lifesnotfair]

I think you're looking at the rack I bought. I love it, and doesn't take that much space.

LNF, thanks for the feedback re: rack. How hard was it to put together? I'm extremely "mechanically challenged". :blush

It was very easy, it's just tons of bolts, but they're all the same size, so you just need two wrenches, I think 9/16 or 13/16 of an inch, I don't remember, I'm not the best with tools either and I still found it very easy to assemble.

[odin]

I think you're looking at the rack I bought. I love it, and doesn't take that much space.

LNF, thanks for the feedback re: rack. How hard was it to put together? I'm extremely "mechanically challenged". :blush

It was very easy, it's just tons of bolts, but they're all the same size, so you just need two wrenches, I think 9/16 or 13/16 of an inch, I don't remember, I'm not the best with tools either and I still found it very easy to assemble.

Thanks, I will probably find a way to get something upside down or backwards anyway...based on a lifetime of similar mechanical screwups.

[odin]

AM BW= 158.8

Thought I'd do a LTF workout tonight (and take it easy on my L elbow, which is feeling a little "hot"), but as you'll see I tend to go by my instincts, rather than follow a pre-determined plan. After all, this is a fun hobby for me. Thinking about entering contests has had me a bit distracted in my focus, as generally I just try to go for whatever feat of hand strength interests me the most, this is what inspires me at this point in my life. Started out by trying a LTF lift with the 40 lb blob-shaped York and was angry because I still felt weak, flat, and uninspired as it kept slipping from my grasp.

I then unsuccessfully tried a LTF lift with the old York 25s I'd bought a couple days ago and almost got it, and was upset by the near miss-again.

I then decided to change my plan and grabbed another York 25. I've tried to lift three 25s before, but my other plates are badly mismatched. I had to use a dreaded hammertone/kryptonite 25 that didn't match up well with the other two and could only feel the plates trying to elevate on the outsides. These Yorks have a rough texture, which I like. A strange sense of calm came over me and a quiet inner voice said "it is time". This happened before my first blob lift as well. I suddenly had no doubt in my mind, the plates were going up. They went up easily, and it felt like I could have held them a long time, but I didn't want to drop them and spoil it, so I set them down. Video and new thread should be up within the hour, but it's fine if a mod wants to lock or delete this post. I am just waiting for the files to transfer.

I also lifted two 25s with my RH index finger only, two 25s RH with my LTF, and did the 40 lb, blob-shaped York with my RH LTF, but still haven't done it with my first two fingers since my return to grip-weird I can do it with my weaker two, feels like my palm has a better isometric lock with the LTF. Two 45s wouldn't budge after all this, but no surprise since I've not yet fully broken the ground with them.

Boring personal stuff:

This workout was dedicated to my outdoor semi-feral cat (Liddy-girl, named after G. Gordon Liddy due to her personality traits) who was killed on Wednesday, she refused to live indoors and was run over (I've never seen her go across the street before), so I've been in a down mood anyway. She'd gotten a little sweeter in her second decade of life, but never 100% tame. It was an honor that she chose me to be her companion (on her terms) and I was happy to care for her and enhance her life with vet care, shelter when she requested it and during cold weather, good food and love. I miss seeing her when I arrive at home. Damn.

[anson]

Bob, sorry to hear about Liddy-Girl's death. When I was a kid I had a big fat cat (Spot) who lived to 15, she was a part of the family.

[odin]

Bob, sorry to hear about Liddy-Girl's death. When I was a kid I had a big fat cat (Spot) who lived to 15, she was a part of the family.

Thanks Anson, you are right. Wish your cat was still alive as well, it sucks that their lives are relatively short.

[maidenfan]

Nice work on the 3-25's - quite a pinch feat!

[odin]

Nice work on the 3-25's - quite a pinch feat!

Thanks Morgan, I'm sure you can do it once you get some matching plates that aren't too slippery, you are waaaaay stronger than me. I think of the book "Dinosaur Training" whenever i see your name, because I believe you truly embody what Brooks Kubik meant by a "true dinosaur" (it is a compliment of the highest order).

[odin]

IM Magic Circle Squats (weighs ~68 lbs, unloaded, scale may or may not be accurate)

68x5

88x5

98x20

Plate pinches:

Two 25s warmup x1 BH

RH: Three 25s+2.5 in platemates: Broke the ground, almost tore up thumb on descent due to roughness of plates (all the plates I bought the other night have a rough swirl pattern on them. Nice texture for pinching, but some might find them too rough. At least the edges aren't knife-sharp like my other plates.

LH: Outside plates started going up, did a negative.

Pinched thumb webbing loading 3" DB, nice blood blister which exploded when I did my "warmups" with 110, don't feel strong on this either so enough of that for tonight. Washed thoroughly and applied Betadine a few times.

50 lb blob:

RHx1 despite blood flow plus a few negatives

LH: did a few negatives

52.5 hex

negatives with both L& R

two 45 plates

negatives with both L& R

IM bands

[odin]

Used IM bands throughout day, they're getting easier or maybe just loosened up with use.

Played with wide pinch mostly tonight using negatives, the list below is not in the exact order, was mostly having fun and testing myself.

Couldn't do full DL with 50 lb blob tonight, glued to ground LH. Looks like I slip fast on the Blob unless I focus on it a lot. Might upload some stuff I had near misses on a few weeks ago.

Tried two 45s with 2 different width of plates, not moving at all...this feat is a long ways off apparently.

Used 47.5 blob to do negative face lifts, held at top for a second

used 6 10s with a 3 lb. pipe (weighed 64) and did negatives.

made an app. 50 lb block weight out of plates taped together to approximate the width of 6 10s (about 1/8 inch less), was able to break the ground once with each hand.

tried to catch 28 lb shotput palms down like I did at Scott's place, no catches at all, just slowed it down a little w/ RH.

My wife wants me to gain some weight (after seeing David Horne's body on video), so we'll see how that goes. I told her as long as she cooks, I'll eat it, but I'm not interested enough in food or gaining weight to make it myself.

Edited October 2, 2007 by odin

[odin]

Used IM bands throughout day.

All lifts using 45 lb. Olympic bar unless noted:

DO Deadlift, using 25 lb plates:

45 lbs.x5 reps, 95x5 reps, 145x5 reps 195 lbs.x12 reps

Shrugs

195 lbs.x14 reps

Reverse Wrist Curls

50 lbs.x32x21x12 reps

Wrist Curls

45 lbsx20 reps, 65x5 reps 85x32 reps (long rest, force-fed by wife) 100x21 reps

Reverse Curls, thumbless

45x12

Did various levering movement as suggested by Chris Rice, used IM loading pin and another pipe I have.

Shot rotations

Wanted to pinch really badly, but decided I needed to work wrists and broken blood blister bruised area in thumb web probably should be rested. I get urges to pinch the same way benders get urges to bend, feels like an addicts craving from deep in the gut.

[odin]

BW: 159.4

Did about 1/2 hr. of extensor work using other-hand resistance while waiting at the DMV.

Warmed up w/two 25 lb plate pinch with no chalk, felt lousy but completed the lifts, thought I might have nothing in the tank.

Tried 45 lb. blob by the face (have done this in the past) but was angry that it wasn't budging because i want 47.5 next.

Next, used three 25 lb plates for pinching and couldn't do anything either hand.

Waited 10 minutes, washed my hands with hot water, and then did a full DL RH with three 25s and almost broke the ground LH (did a forced rep).

Added 2.5 in platemates, almost got a full DL-repeated the rest/hot water and pulled the three 25s plus 2.5 lbs. in Platemates (weighed 79 lbs.) PR. Have it on video. LH did forced rep without platemates.

Next, added 5 lbs w/ magnets to the three 25s but couldn't pull it, LH did forced rep w/o extra wt.

Used an app. 50 lb block weight out of plates taped together to approximate the width of 6 10s (about 1/8 inch less) and did 2 negatives with each hand as I felt too sore in my thumb web to pull up hard anymore

Worked with used 6 10s with a 3 lb. pipe (weighed about 64 lbs.) and did 2 negatives with each hand.

Tried using 2 45s w/ pipe through them for pinching, missed w/143 (fried thumb web about to rip), dropped to 123 (easy).

Did negative blob face lifts w/50 47.5, 45 lb, blobs. Ridiculous of me to even hope for a 50 Blob face lift, as my hand doesn't really get any kind of real grasp on it (especially with LH, which is a touch smaller), but I want to do it anyway.

Tried to catch 28 lb shotput.

Did negatives w/ 52.5 hex (last 3 fingers, too big to get much help w/ index).

Caught 25 lb. York blob with palm down several times; was able to toss from hand-to-hand with zero elbow pain!

[climber511]

BW: 159.4

Did about 1/2 hr. of extensor work using other-hand resistance while waiting at the DMV.

Warmed up w/two 25 lb plate pinch with no chalk, felt lousy but completed the lifts, thought I might have nothing in the tank.

Tried 45 lb. blob by the face (have done this in the past) but was angry that it wasn't budging because i want 47.5 next.

Next, used three 25 lb plates for pinching and couldn't do anything either hand.

Waited 10 minutes, washed my hands with hot water, and then did a full DL RH with three 25s and almost broke the ground LH (did a forced rep).

Added 2.5 in platemates, almost got a full DL-repeated the rest/hot water and pulled the three 25s plus 2.5 lbs. in Platemates (weighed 79 lbs.) PR. Have it on video. LH did forced rep without platemates.

Next, added 5 lbs w/ magnets to the three 25s but couldn't pull it, LH did forced rep w/o extra wt.

Used an app. 50 lb block weight out of plates taped together to approximate the width of 6 10s (about 1/8 inch less) and did 2 negatives with each hand as I felt too sore in my thumb web to pull up hard anymore

Worked with used 6 10s with a 3 lb. pipe (weighed about 64 lbs.) and did 2 negatives with each hand.

Tried using 2 45s w/ pipe through them for pinching, missed w/143 (fried thumb web about to rip), dropped to 123 (easy).

Did negative blob face lifts w/50 47.5, 45 lb, blobs. Ridiculous of me to even hope for a 50 Blob face lift, as my hand doesn't really get any kind of real grasp on it (especially with LH, which is a touch smaller), but I want to do it anyway.

Tried to catch 28 lb shotput.

Did negatives w/ 52.5 hex (last 3 fingers, too big to get much help w/ index).

Caught 25 lb. York blob with palm down several times; was able to toss from hand-to-hand with zero elbow pain!

No rest and no hot water here! hehe

[odin]

I'll think of something Chris. i noticed that I need at least 5 minutes longer to recover than Scott when i worked out with him, he's ready amazingly fast.

Uploading tonight's highlights into gallery...will have to shorten, system balked at taking it.

Edited October 4, 2007 by odin

[odin]

Put it on youtube, had trouble w/

[odin]

Reverse Wrist Curls

50 lbs.x35 repsx26 repsx20 repsx22 reps

Wrist Curls

45 lbs.x20 reps, 65 lbs.x5 reps 85 lbs.x5 reps 100 lbs.x25 reps

Reverse Curls, thumbless 50 lbs.x15 reps plus Wrist Curls behind back 100 lbs.x15 reps+Finger Curls 100x10 (never did the last two exercise before, did all as part of one set)

Did various levering movements, pronation, supination-all very light.

I'm very, very, very thankful today. Roger Steffens posted an offer for a free Inch DB on the GB. Even though I was at work (doing Ashtanga Yoga with our clients) and didn't see the post for over an hour after it was made-I was the first to reply. Very happy, I never win any drawings, etc. can't believe my good fortune, wife is happy for me also.

Edited October 5, 2007 by odin

[climber511]

Reverse Wrist Curls

50 lbs.x35 repsx26 repsx20 repsx22 reps

Wrist Curls

45 lbs.x20 reps, 65 lbs.x5 reps 85 lbs.x5 reps 100 lbs.x25 reps

Reverse Curls, thumbless 50 lbs.x15 reps plus Wrist Curls behind back 100 lbs.x15 reps+Finger Curls 100x10 (never did the last two exercise before, did all as part of one set)

Did various levering movements, pronation, supination-all very light.

I'm very, very, very thankful today. Roger Steffens posted an offer for a free Inch DB on the GB. Even though I was at work (doing Ashtanga Yoga with our clients) and didn't see the post for over an hour after it was made-I was the first to reply. Very happy, I never win any drawings, etc. can't believe my good fortune, wife is happy for me also.

You lucky dog!

[odin]

Reverse Wrist Curls

50 lbs.x35 repsx26 repsx20 repsx22 reps

Wrist Curls

45 lbs.x20 reps, 65 lbs.x5 reps 85 lbs.x5 reps 100 lbs.x25 reps

Reverse Curls, thumbless 50 lbs.x15 reps plus Wrist Curls behind back 100 lbs.x15 reps+Finger Curls 100x10 (never did the last two exercise before, did all as part of one set)

Did various levering movements, pronation, supination-all very light.

I'm very, very, very thankful today. Roger Steffens posted an offer for a free Inch DB on the GB. Even though I was at work (doing Ashtanga Yoga with our clients) and didn't see the post for over an hour after it was made-I was the first to reply. Very happy, I never win any drawings, etc. can't believe my good fortune, wife is happy for me also.

You lucky dog!

Thanks Chris. I work for a non-profit, helping homeless men who struggle with addiction. I recently started showing them my grip feats, and how to do them, as a tool to build rapport with them and hopefully inspire them to work hard on their recovery. They look at me and just can't believe I can do the feats i show them, they initially must think I'm some type of computer geek who is not very strong. One of our clients is about 6'8 350 lbs, he tried the Blob over and over before saying "Damn, Bob, I know I'm stronger than you", and this event really helped me earn his respect in a new way. I intend to lift the Inch Replica and use it as a motivational tool.

I hope my wife lets me use it as an ottoman between workouts; but once I can lift it, God willing, I want to bring it to my work as an inspirational display/conversation piece. I'm hoping to have a grip-related contest/ fundraiser for our treatment program someday (hopefully an annual event), that is one reason I am learning these feats of strength as a hobby, of course the main reason is that I enjoy grip. It is likely that hundreds of people will try to lift Roger Steffens's Inch replica if I can sell my fund-raiser idea (I believe I can, because our executive director is open-minded and likes new fund-raising ideas), and The Inch would be the visual centerpiece of these events.

I can't wait to try the Inch. It's really strange that this happened, I even had a dream about lifting the Inch about two weeks ago and putting up a plaque with my picture and the history of it by the DB at my work that seemed very real (I know it sounds narcissistic, but hey I was asleep after all ), but in real life I thought I'd have to wait until I attended a grip contest to ever try it.

Many thanks to Roger Steffens! I still feel like I am dreaming.

Edited October 5, 2007 by odin

[burkhardmacht]

Good luck with the Inch! Train hard!

BTW: I dream about Inch lifting 2-3 times a months....

[odin]

Good luck with the Inch! Train hard!

BTW: I dream about Inch lifting 2-3 times a months....

I know you will lift it one day Burkhard! I think I'll be doing a lot of negative reps, forced reps with the off-hand, etc.

Wonder if my wife will let it sleep in the bed with it so i can do mattress bounces with it (sounds a little kinky)? Can you imagine that thing rolling out of bed in the middle of the night and what damage would occur?

[Alawadhi]

Good luck for your Inch training

Edited October 5, 2007 by Alawadhi

[odin]

Good luck for your Inch training

Thanks Alawadhi. I think my wrist/forearm strength has a lot of potential for improvement, i haven't worked on that too much yet due to the elbow. My thumb is pretty strong, one weak link will be overall body strength. I was going to focus on crushing strength and bending more after I "prehab" those areas, I guess crushing strength would help on the Inch as well.

I love a challenge like this.

Quick workout tonight, felt strong but was actually weak.

Overhead press Olympic bar 45x5, 65x5, 85 lbs.x15

Barbell Row, supinated grip 85x15 100x10 reps (want to stimulate area near elbow and this didn't hurt at all).

Tried a little blobbin, felt like they were covered with liquid putty.

Enough, the Inch awaits. Maybe some legs tomorrow.

[burkhardmacht]

Good luck with the Inch! Train hard!

BTW: I dream about Inch lifting 2-3 times a months....

I know you will lift it one day Burkhard! I think I'll be doing a lot of negative reps, forced reps with the off-hand, etc.

Wonder if my wife will let it sleep in the bed with it so i can do mattress bounces with it (sounds a little kinky)? Can you imagine that thing rolling out of bed in the middle of the night and what damage would occur?

I've already done a lot of mattress-floor bouncing/crashing with the Inch....

[odin]

Good luck with the Inch! Train hard!

BTW: I dream about Inch lifting 2-3 times a months....

I know you will lift it one day Burkhard! I think I'll be doing a lot of negative reps, forced reps with the off-hand, etc.

Wonder if my wife will let it sleep in the bed with it so i can do mattress bounces with it (sounds a little kinky)? Can you imagine that thing rolling out of bed in the middle of the night and what damage would occur?

I've already done a lot of mattress-floor bouncing/crashing with the Inch....

Burkhard, Please share some of your experiences so others can learn what to do or avoid doing so they don't hurt themselves, others or damage their home.

Maybe I can find a mini-trampoline with extra-stout springs designed for larger folks? The density and compactness of the Roger Steffens's Inch replica may defeat all mini-trampolines, I have no idea as I've never used either one.

[tspinillo]

Take a look at this photo from the gallery. Minibands for deloading the Inch

http://www.gripboard.com/index.php?autocom...si&img=5736