I didnt know how exclusive the list was for the captains crusher...

[Matt Schumann]

I was on iron minds website and i was checking out the list of the #3 certified people.. for over ten years theres not that many people on it.... I really didnt know it was that big of a feat

[Tim Myrick]

I was on iron minds website and i was checking out the list of the #3 certified people.. for over ten years theres not that many people on it.... I really didnt know it was that big of a feat

While a good accompilishment, you've got to wonder how many people really cared.

[George Champlin]

While a good accompilishment, you've got to wonder how many people really cared.

I would say quite a few

[NickBrugal]

I know that there are several people on this board that can close a #3 and are not certified. I believe there is one guy who Jesse was trying to persuade to get certified because he would beat Jesse for the youngest to close the #3.

[ClayEdgin]

The list is even more exclusive now that you have to close a new #3 out of the package with a credit card set.

[George Champlin]

The list is even more exclusive now that you have to close a new #3 out of the package with a credit card set.

no more shopping around for that "easy" 3 that was going on

[Matt Brouse]

I would say quite a few
I agree George. Didn't know you posted here...

[Kÿle Vezeau]

no more shopping around for that "easy" 3 that was going on

Easy 3 is one thing but Credit card setting an unseasoned 3 usually means you can parrallel set an Elite....with great ease.

[Tony Christopher]

If I understand this correctly, credit card set means that you set the ends of the #3 to the width of a credit card, while it's sitting in your hand, and then squeeze it closed from there.

These days, to become certified, you have to do that with a fresh out of the box #3, right?

So what were the rules BEFORE? Apparently, you could use a "used" #3 (that had loosened up a bit) ... and, what could the set be? More narrow to start?

[Tim Myrick]

I would say quite a few

I have met a guy who can probably close one (I say that because he no set the equivalent of a SM for three reps, then held it for a long time, kinda to show off.) with little to no training, who when his nephew, a buddy of mine, explained that there is a certification process, and that it was very exclusive, his response was "well, those people who are certified are probably the only one's who cared." My father also thought it was odd. Of course, these are people who believe that to build strong hands you must simply lift heavy things, and work hard. Hell, my father always swore by rope-climbing. :cool:

[SAM SOLOMI]

Many more people have closed it than certified. I myself am a #3 closer but haven't bothered with the cert yet. Many others have accomplised it aswell but aren't on the list.

The recent problem is that a #3 out of the package must be used. Also the set used is allowed to be no deeper than a credit card width. Can i close my #3 from 2004? Yes, easily, for reps. Could i close one out of the package and with a CCS? not sure. I'm sure this is the case for many gripsters.

[Paul Savage]

if your wondering how hard it is to close #3 or #4, just buy em or try someone elses - nobody else but my brother has closed my #2, an probably 100 have tried, 90% of which train weights

I closed a brand new 2006 #3 first time trying with a small set (no seasoning), an then no set it first time trying 5 minutes later, both @ age 19 - i have no interest in certing on the #3 at this time as the list has no real value to me with all the rule changes that have happened

[Ryan Rhodes]

I closed it fresh out; many times as a matter of fact. Am I going to certify? No. That's stupid. It's a freaking gripper for christ sakes. My reasoning? 1) Grippers are about as accurate a representation of grip strength as bench press is of upper body strength 2) The mechanics of the movement and logistics of the device are much more in favor of the guy with large hands, not the guy with strong hands 3) I have to pay money to drive to Portland so that some guy can tell me that I closed a gripper right and write my name down. How F'ing stupid is that! I train to supplement my body with strength and speed and to use those attributes to overcome everyday and sometimes extraordinary physical obstacles. That's what strongman is to me. The day I train for anything less intrinsic is the day I flush my self respect down the toilet.

That's my rant on this and other strongman poserdom in general.

Later.

[SAM SOLOMI]

When i finally get the #4 i am going to cert on it #4. A #4 cert means a lot to me and is my lifetime goal.

[Ryan Rhodes]

If that's your lifetime goal, that's your prerogative.

I'm just saying that there are a ton of less shallow things I'd rather do with my life than having some guy verify that I can close the captain gripper 5000.

Maybe my goals are too lofty; That's my prerogative.

[Matt Schumann]

WOW i guess i posted a good subject.... I just have neglected my grip training and learned that the hard way when i competed in my first contest, (By ripping the skin off of my hand holding on to the farmers handles lol)

with all of the talk on this forum about the captains crush grippers i figured id check them out on their website... and i found a list of certified #3 grippers....

So... Im planning on just getting a number one and working on that for a bit, than in a month getting a number two and atleast start working some negative reps with it (if i cant close it, Im not sure yet) then when i get comfortable with the number 2 going for the number 3...... Hows that sound?

also,,,, how do you know your ready to maybe take on the number 3??? is there a certain amount of rep's with a number 2 that may translate to maybe being ready for a number 3?
What is your experience with it?

Thanks,

[Jay Hagadorn]

WOW i guess i posted a good subject.... I just have neglected my grip training and learned that the hard way when i competed in my first contest, (By ripping the skin off of my hand holding on to the farmers handles lol)



Matt-

I am not a hater of crushers, but I will point this out. My training partner showed up at my gym with a #2. I had never seen one of these grippers before, but I mashed it a whole bunch of times. I have a great pinch/crush grip, but my support grip was lagging (I found that out after my first contest.) If you want to increase strength in your grip for strongman, work w/ fatbars, double overhand on the deadlift and plate pinching. Grippers are not a good way to develope support grip... IMHO

[Joshua Davis]

I agree wholeheartedly, and Clay (our own resident #4 crusher on board) has agreed with me in the past. Closing a gripper means you are good at closing a gripper, the carryover to strongman is limited.

You want to build your grip strength? Rolling bar chinups/hangs, thickbar holds/deadlifts, wrist rollers, and plate pinches are much more functional.

[Matt Schumann]

Well the curiousity got to me last night.... I ordered a number 2 on iron minds website.... I was only going to order a number one but for some reason i just went and ordered the #2.... I hope ill be able to close it right away or it will definitly be traing time wasted... until i get my next one....

However to talk more about the strongman grip training... I was thinking...

i do have a pair of farmers should i just do hold with them? The only thing is, i dont have alot of room to set up the farmers so i was thinking of a alternative. I have the viking press/deadlift rack attachment.... i can probaly set it up about to about my hips and just do hold on it? WOuld that work or would it just be a waster of training time?