Hand Therapy Sessions with Dr. Jim Wagner

While I won Nationals in June, it came with a price.

I pushed myself as hard as I could in preparation for Nationals.

I was implementing ll kinds of new Training Methods I’ve never tried before in my Grip Training.

And, unfortunately, it proved to be excessive.

In April, after a weekend session, the middle two fingers in my left hand that have been hurting since January of 2020, were producing level 8 to 9 out of 10 pain, and it was a radiant, pounding, unrelenting soreness.

I had to scale everything back – volume, intensities, exercise variations, everything.

In April, I honestly had doubts I would be able to compete, but with God’s grace I was able to compete and managed to win the overall title and become 2023 Men’s National Champion.

Since then it’s been a road of rehab and barely any training.

Any time I’ve worked my left hand, it’s hurt for at least 2 solid days, interrupting and stopping my sleep altogether.

I have enlisted the help of my good friend, Dr Jim Wagner, and I have seen him for 2 sessions of hand therapy featuring various modalities.

Jim was nice enough to allow me to film the therapy for everyone to see.

Session #1’s filming didn’t go so well, as I was only able to capture a short segment of the first part of therapy, but the 2nd session I was able to capture it all, and I have been uploading segments to my YouTube channel, for everyone to see.

As I upload them, I’m going to be posting them here, as well.

Session #1

Session #2 – Part 1

Session #2 – Part 2

A new part of the 2nd session goes up every day or 2 on my YouTube channel, so make sure you subscribe to see how it all pans out.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

NAPALM

This thread will serve to give updates on the contest.

Entry Form

Order on Grippers will be reverse order of when the entry forms are received.

Entry forms can be sent in through regular mail or emailed.

Mailing address: PO BOX 806 Wyalusing PA 18853

Events: 20mm Grippers, 2″ Napalm’s Nightmare, 2×5 Napalm’s Nightmare Pinch, Little Big Horn, Napalm’s Island Medley

For the Medley, each competitor will bring his/her own Medley item. The competitor may choose to use one of the implements I have in my collection. The item may be as hard as the athlete chooses, with a handful of exceptions:
– the size of block weight must not be larger than a half 100lb Blob
– no thick bar may be thicker than 2.5″
– height must not be an issue where a shorter individual would not be able to lock the implement out
– no face lifting of Blobs
– no plate pinches wider than 3×25’s, 5x10s, 2x45s
– feat items and loading pin items will be lifted to lockout
– if other limits are deemed appropriate by the promoter, they will be added
Each lifter must lift his/her own Medley item FIRST and then proceed with the rest of the Medley

Competitors along with their weight class/division will be added along with their Medley item, so everyone has the ability to train all the implements.

Additional information, as well as hotel info will be added here.

In December of 2022, I put together this Playlist of QnA Videos.

Feel free to watch them here, DIESELS!

Be sure to like the videos by hitting the thumbs-up button.

Subscribe and click the bell for notifications.

And I still plan on doing regular QnA’s if I have good questions to work with so, leave your best question in the comments.

All the best in your training.

NAPALM

I want to help YOU reach YOUR goals as fast as possible.

I am currently taking on 3 new Coaching Clients.

Grip Task Force – Monthly

Monthly Payments of $169

Grip Task Force – Quarterly

Quarterly Payments of $469

What does the Grip Task Force Entail?

1. Completion of Training/Health History Forms

I will send you forms which will need to be completed. These forms will cover various questions related to your training background and goals. This will help me get to know you and your training history. There are also some liability forms that must be completed.

2. Initial One-on-One Coaching Call

For 30 to 60 minutes, we will get on the phone or skype and discuss your forms and your goals. We will establish where you are at now in your development, where you want to go, the equipment you have to train with, the gym facilities you have access to, and other important information that will help us get going.

3. Weekly Programming Updates

Each week, I will send you a training plan based on your specific goals. I will email these plans to you and you will be expected to complete them after each workout. I must receive them completely filled out by the end of the training week so I can assess them and make adjustments to them for the following week.

Each program I design is individualized for each specific member in the Grip Task Force. To do one program for multiple individuals would be irresponsible. You are each different and will respond to different loads, volumes, rest, and other variables that we will monitor.

4. Bi-Weekly Coaching Calls

Every two weeks, we will get together again via telephone or skype to help move you forward with your training. During this time, I can answer questions that have come up, we can look and see what changes need to be made to your program, I can watch your technique on the more technical forms of Grip Training, such as Grippers, Two Hands Pinch, and Bending, and much more. These bi-weekly calls will be like attending a live Workshop with me, without having to miss the time from work or pay for travel costs.

5. Grip Task Force Facebook Group

I have a Facebook Group set up only for Grip Task Force members. Here you can ask questions of one another, as well as announce new PR’s and share videos of your success. That’s what it’s all about!

6. Complete Access to TheGripAuthority.com

In addition to the programming I send you, you will also get your own login credentials to my Grip Strength Coaching Site, TheGripAuthority.com. I started it in January of 2010, so it has 4+ years of content just sitting there, waiting for you to come and devour it.

7. Email and Text Access

In addition to the Coaching Calls every two weeks, you will also be able to ask me questions via email and text. I carry my phone with me everywhere, so you will be able to get a hold of me just about any time from 5:30AM to 9:00PM during the week and similar hours on the weekends.

The Main Idea is I Am Here to Help You Get Better

If you are not happy with the results you have gotten so far this year, then let’s work together to make some changes and get you going in the right direction again.

In just a matter of weeks, you could see the following:

• Closing bigger grippers
• One-hand Pinching bigger plate combinations
• Bigger weights on Grip Sport Lifts (Axle, Two Hands Pinch, Sledge Choke)
• Bending bigger steel and moving closer to that certification you are shooting for
• Attaining big feats such as lifting the Blob and the Inch Replica Dumbbell
• Performing better on all your other lifts because your grip is getting so much stronger!

Look, all of these things are well within your reach.

The problem is, there is something holding you back from reaching them.

In many cases, it is a simple TECHNIQUE FIX that makes all of the difference.

I have seen people increase a full gripper size increase in crushing strength by making technical adjustments alone. In other words, jumping from the COC #1 to the #2, and even from missing on a #2 to routinely closing the #2.5.

Most recently, Dave Depew, went from MISSING on the number 2 to SMASHING IT, just MINUTES after watching a technical video I shot for him.

Then he went on to the #3 gripper and got it down to just 1/4″. (He would have tried a #2.5, but he doesn’t own one!)

How much improvement CAN YOU MAKE in just a few minutes after watching a short technical video?

You’ll have to join the Grip Task Force to find out:

Grip Task Force – Monthly

Monthly Payments of $169

Grip Task Force – Quarterly

Quarterly Payments of $469

Nothing is more frustrating than when you know you are busting your butt in the gym, only to see very little in return.

If the problem has to do with VOLUME, we will be able to iron all that out through our weekly training updates and bi-weekly coaching calls.

Sometimes, lifters aren’t familiar with the established drills that have the biggest impact on the grip goals you have.

You may not realize how much you are not aware of – TOGETHER, we can change that.

You may have a weakness that is holding you back. Weak wrists are an INFAMOUS progress killer. Another common thing – your thumb may be so weak it is crumbling on you when you need it the most.

These are the kinds of things we can only sort out through direct one-on-one conversation, and that is what the Grip Task Force is all about.

Now’s the time to take control of your training.

Let’s make 2016 YOUR YEAR by working toward your Grip Strength Goals TOGETHER.

Join me today…

Grip Task Force – Monthly

Monthly Payments of $169

Grip Task Force – Quarterly

Quarterly Payments of $469

Expect an email back from me when you sign up…

Can’t wait to get started.

Jedd

Performance Tips on the Grab Ball and Finnish Ball

Today, I’ve got 2 very quick and information-packed new products for you.

These two 10-minute videos cover the lifting technique I use for the Grab Ball and the Finnish Ball, both of which are implements in this year’s King Kong of Grip.

They also give lifters a lot of trouble.

I’m trying to fix that, today.

By sharing this information, I’m probably gonna be providing some competitors that are going to be breathing down my neck in the standings the EXACT INFORMATION they need to over-take me.

But that’s a chance I’m willing to take in order to help people get better and improve the level of expertise across the sport.

For the next few days, the price of each of these videos, is just $9.99.

As soon as I get the Paypal receipt, your video access page, or pages, will be headed towards to your inbox.

Just click the buttons below to get them headed your way.

But before you do that, I’ve got an even better deal for you…

I’ll give you both of these videos 100% free if you join my site, TheGripAuthority.com, for 30 days, for $9.99.

For the price of just 1 of these products, when you join me at TGA, you’ll get both, the Grab Ball video AND the Finnish Ball video.

PLUS, you’ll get instant access to over 12 years of information on Grip Training, Grip Feats, Grip Sport, and Strongman training!

If in any way, you’re not happy with the TGA Membership, you can cancel at any time.

But I want you to try it out, so I’m making this special deal today.

In Summary, if you just want the videos, click the Add to Cart buttons below the video you’d like buy. Make your purchase and I’ll send you the page to view them as soon as I get the notification.

But, if you’d like to test drive TheGripAuthority.com for 30 days, then click the bottom button, and start exploring my expansive Grip Strength Instructional Site to your hearts content, PLUS, you’ll be able to tap into today’s new videos on the Grab Ball and Finnish Ball.

The choice is yours:

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Grab Ball

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Finnish Ball

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Join TGA and Get BOTH VIDEOS for Free!

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Thanks and all the best in your training.

NAPALM

This is the link for the US Grip National Championship entry form: Entry Form

Eventually you get to what I call the Owen Hart Point.

This is where you finally feel like “Enough is Enough and  It’s Time for a Change.”

That’s where I was this summer, and 5 months later, I’m 20lbs lighter.

All the best in your training.

NAPALM

I couldn’t believe the contraction I was feeling in these when I tried them.

All the best in your training.

NAPALM

Video #2 in the #31DaysOfQnA

Video #1 in the #3aDaysofQnA

First Feat of Strength for Beginners

I’m often asked by readers and viewers what is the best way to get started with Oldtime Feats of Strength, like bending and tearing things.

There’s one single feat of strength that I believe you should begin with…

First off, feats of strength require you to be able to produce tremendous pressure with the hands, so you should begin with something that checks that box.

Next, aside from being able to latch onto something hard with your hands, you also need to be able to make what you’re bending or tearing do what you want it to.

You have to be able to overcome whatever it is that you’re working on, so this introductory feat has to involve movement as well as the tension requirement

On top of all that, your first feat challenge needs to test you mentally. Often, when trying to bend or tear something, your mind gives up long before you hands do or your body does.

So you can’t just start bending paper clips or wire hangers. There’s gotta be some sort of mental challenge to it.

Finally, and I think this is something that a lot of new feat fanatics forget about, is there needs to be a low level of risk involved. This way, you don’t hurt yourself, and screw up not only your new hobby, but also all the other strength training and other strength goals you have.

For instance, it’s really easy to go overboard with steel bending, or pop something in your shoulder, because of the increased levels of strain.

As a bonus, it’s nice if the thing you’re starting off with is fairly affordable and easy to get, so you’re not blowing through paychecks and combing the edges of the internet trying to find some rare stock to work with.

So with all these factors considered, I believe the perfect feat for you to start out with is CARD TEARING.

Card Tearing teaches you not only about the application of force from your hands into the cards, but also how you can direct this force into the deck at various angles.

Once you learn this, it’s a much easier jump to bending nails, steel bars, horse shoes, etc.

Before you know it, you’re bending and tearing everything in sight!

While it may not seem so, tearing cards also requires mental fortitude, because it isn’t by any means easy, and you have to push yourself to complete the tear.

Finally, cards are available EVERYWHERE! From the local super market, to the various dollar stores, to ebay, casinos, and more – decks of cards are constantly at your fingertips.

For all these reasons, and probably more that I’m not thinking of, if you’re thinking about getting started with oldtime feats of strength, your best bet is Card Tearing, and I’ll show you everything you need to know in my ebook, the Card Tearing System

Thanks and all the best in your training.

NAPALM

P.S. If you’re not sure if you’re strong enough to start tearing cards, don’t worry – I got you covered with an extensive exercise index in my Card Tearing eBook Grab Your Copy Today!!!

The 2021 version of August of Arms is going to be completely INSANE!

It’s gonna be the best time you’ve had training all year long, and the 31 Most INTENSE Days of Your LIFE!

If you’re ready to take on the challenge, put your info in the box below.

This will ensure you’re among the FIRST ONES on the list who get access to August of Arms 2021!

Hey DIESELS!

Today, I’m going to share with you one of the Finishers from the 2021 August of Arms Program – it’s one I came up with years ago, and I just recently added it back into my program.

This is called Rope Curl-ups, and yesterday I did these with more weight than I ever have.

It’s nice to know that all the Arm Training I’ve been doing has paid off in MORE STRENGTH.

Soon, it will be time to make these things SWELL UP BIGGER THAN EVER!

The 2021 version of August of Arms is going to be completely INSANE!

It’s gonna be the best time you’ve had training all year long, and the 31 Most INTENSE Days of Your LIFE!

If you’re ready to take on the challenge, put your info in the box below to make sure you’re the FIRST ONES on the list who get access to August of Arms 2021!

I can’t wait to do this program, and I hope you’re just as excited as well.

Thanks and all the best in your training!

NAPALM

Men’s Overall Standings

Position – Competitor Name – Total Points – Flask Points – Crusher Points – Grab Ball Points – Little Big Horn Points

1 – Tanner Merkle – 18.5 – 13.5 – 3 – 1 – 1 = “THE KING KONG OF GRIP”

2 – Jesse Pynnönen – 29 – 1 – 8 – 18 – 2
3 – Carl Myerscough – 32 – 17 – 1 – 3 – 11
4 – Jedd Johnson – 39 – 2 – 17 – 7 – 13
5 – Harri Tolonen – 39.5 – 5 – 4 – 10 – 20.5
6 – Arto Joronen – 41.5 – 3 – 10 – 8 – 20.5
7 – Gilbert Goodman – 42 – 11 – 14 – 12 – 5
8 – Luke Raymond – 47 – 4 – 35 – 5 – 3
9 – Joel Dircks – 51 – 10 – 5 – 13 – 23
10 – Pupchenko Ivan – 52 – 7 – 11 – 25 – 9

Complete results can be found here: https://www.gripboard.com/index.php?/topic/53144-2020-international-king-kong-grip-challenge-results/

<h1>King Kong Videos</h1>

<h2>Flask</h2>

<h2>2.25″ Crusher</h2>

https://youtube.com/watch?v=aI8uKCFhe4A

<h2>Grab Ball</h2>

<h2>Little Big Horn</h2>

<h2>My Review of the Comp</h2>

Thanks for watching!

All the best in your training.

NAPALM

Thank you to the new sponsor of the 2020 Wyalusing King Kong venue, GRIPSTRENGTH.com

Please check them out for outstanding products and resources, including many of my own, soon to be listed for sale there.

Thank you for your support!

All the best in your training,

NAPALM

Today, I’ve got a quick post for you, sharing some Dynamic Band Training that I tried out recently. I really enjoyed them, so I thought they might be good things for you to try if you’re looking to mix things up.

Curls with Weights Hanging from Bands

First up is curling weights that are suspended from bands. What a great contraction in the biceps, and an excellent pump!

Presses with Bambooish Bar

Somewhere along the lines I landed this replica of a Bamboo Bar. I don’t know why I don’t use it more often, because it feels great. Not the exact same thing, but offers a similar challenge. With about 50% of the weight I generally use, I was able to give my joints a much needed break while getting an even better pump, I’d say.

On this day, we hit 3 sets of Flat Bench, 3 sets of Incline Bench and 3 sets of Standing Press. Like I said, it was a fantastic pump. I’ll definitely be using more of this in the coming weeks, sprinkled in like special seasoning.

I hope you liked today’s post. If you’d like to try out more of my training methods, check out some of the product I offer, here: Jedd’s Complete Catalog

Also, might I suggest, Nuclear November <=Click Here

All the best in your training,

NAPALM

I know I’m way behind schedule with this, but I still want to put it up.

The last couple of years, I have had a really hard time finding the time to update my websites, because my gym and online coaching businesses keep me very busy. I really want to do a better job of that this year.

So, let’s get the countdown rolling!

20.Sledge Hammer Finger Walk Challenge for Reddit Grip Training 731 Views

This was one of the challenges on the Grip Training subreddit last year, so we gave it a run. I have no idea where this put us or who ended up winning, but it’s a great drill to put into your program for hand recovery, in my opinion, so that made it worthwhile to go heavy and hard on it.

19.  This Week in Grip Episode 90 – Which Rolling Handle is the Best? 744 Views

We try to mix it up on the This Week in Grip podcast with a show just on a certain type of training method or tool, and that’s what we did in Episode 90 of This Week in Grip.

18.  Homicide Bell – PULLED OFF THE GROUND 752 Views

This was the first time I ever was able to get the Homicide Bell off the floor. This is one of the hardest thick bar challenge bells in the world. I’ve only been able to fully deadlift it on one day.

17.  TWIG – Episode 100 – Surprise Guests, Jujimufu & Tom (Part 1) 759 Views

This show surprised me. With such an extremely large following on YouTube, I expected this show to get a lot more views than it did. Not sure what happened, but only Juji called in for the show. Tom didn’t make it, but he was supposed to and I never heard from either of them about what happened.

16.  Best Exercise for Forearm Development 774 Views

This is the first video on the countdown that was shot during the 31 Days of QnA on my channel. While I don’t have real big forearms, I feel this is the way to go to build them and I would do this regularly if forearm size ever became a bigger priority than forearm and grip strength.

15. Homicide Bell: LIFTED! 762 Views

This is probably one of my biggest PR’s in a long, long time. It’s hard to describe how tough this dumbbell is, but I can wrap it up in one sentence: I’ve never been able to break this more than a couple inches off the floor again.

14.  Barbell Curl Max Attempts with Globe Gripz 770 Views

Evan trains with me in my classes at the gym, and has become very very strong, especially at Grip. But, I had to remind him who the Champion is in a little Max Effort Curl comp last year.

13.  18 Year Old Evan Norton Lifts The Blob (see description) 790 Views

Like I said, this Big Fella, Evan, is strong and has a great grip on him, especially for Block Weights and other wide pinch implements.

12.The Arm Assassin Challenge Bell – 207lb Inch-Millennium Bridge Dumbbell  794 Views

Several years ago, Luke and I put in some money and got some thick bar challenge bells made, that we called the Death Grip Bells. They had a 2.59″ handle and are very tough to lift. The Homicide Bell, which appears in a couple videos up the page is one of the Death Grip Bells. Well, we wanted to make something that was more of a trainer for the Millennium Dumbbell, and we got this piece made from one of the previous Death Grip Bells we had.

11.   This Week in Grip – Episode 83 – Larry Wheels 793 Views

I never would have guessed that the Larry Wheels episode of This Week in Grip would out-perform the Jujimufu video. Maybe it’s because in the LW video, the thumbnail is an Inch Dumbbell Lift and in the Juji video it’s the Iron Grip Monster, who knows.

10 Jedd Johnson – 50lb Dumbbell Farmers Walk – 400+ Meters 840 Views

One day this past summer, Mark Nolan, a CrossFit Box owner, tagged me in a challenge post from another CrossFit page. The challenge was to walk as far around a track as possible carrying a pair of dumbbells. I forget what the minimum dumbbell set was, but I know you had to go at least once around the track. I also remember that a big reason why I had to set the dumbbells down was because my anterior tibialis muscles were on fire and truly killing me. Another challenge I took part in where I never saw who ended up winning the cash money, which was supposed to be like $1000 or something like that.

9. Jedd’s Thoughts on John Brookfield’s Books 802 Views

This one was a response to a question I got on my YouTube Channel. These books were basically how I got my start and helped me out. They are certainly a good starting point, although if you want even better information, your best bet is http://www.thegripauthority.com

8.   Dumbbell Curl Test: 100lb Dumbbell Curls 883 Views

Not really sure when I tried this, but seeing it makes me want to try it again!

7.  How Big Are Napalm’s Hands? | Jedd Johnson Hand Size 918 Views

This is a question I get all the time, so I figured I would go ahead and get it on video for those interested. If you’ve got some time to waste, check out some of the hater discussions in the comment sections, especially those from Chris Stuart, Bamboo Training, Mentally Challenged Training, and there might even be some good ones from CE Parks. Enjoy.

6. Why Doesn’t Jedd Arm Wrestle? 932 Views

Dude, this is another question I get all the time, especially since I put up decent numbers in Barbell & Dumbbells Curls, plus my Grip Strength abilities. So, I just went ahead and addressed it on video.

5.   How Often to Train the Grip and Forearms  932 Views

I think most beginning Grip Trainees make their training too hard at first, or think there’s some magic bullet method for training your grip, but in reality there is not.

4.  80lb Dumbbell Curls  960 Views

Every so often I like to just grab some fairly heavy dumbbells and start curling to see what I can get. One time last year, I did this and was able to get 5 per arm, with the last one on the right being very very ugly.

3.   This Week in Grip Ep 93 – Rob Vigeant & Big Hand Stories 1065 Views

Rob Vigeant was one of the best Grip Sportists in the early 2000’s and I’m sure he still would be today if he hadn’t made the switch over to full time wrestling. This show was very fun. Rob tells some good stories and his delivery is very humorous.

2.  200lb Kettlebell Swings 1492 Views

For whatever reason, people just love watching me swing this Kettlebell. Somehow, even though this video is the 2nd most popular of everything I posted last year, I didn’t get too many comments saying I was doing the Swing movement wrong, since I was only going as high as my rib cage, as opposed to pulling it way up over my head, CrossFitStyle.

1. Strongest Man in History | Old York 45s Pinch Discussion 3227 Videos

And here it is, the most popular video of the year on my Channel. Some will say it is the most popular due to the controversial nature of what I’m discussing. Others will say that it got the most views because I have the name of the TV Show that Brian Shaw, Eddie Hall, Nick Best and Robert Oberst are on in the title. But really, the reason it is so popular is because of the awesome highlights in my hair.

Diesels, thanks so much for watching the Countdown.

My apologies for taking so long. I’m not kidding when I say I am beyond busy with my gym and my online coaching pogram. However, it is my intention to get back to business on my online ventures and that means more posts here at DieselCrew.com, more activity at TheGripAuthority.com, and more products being released.

Stay tuned for more and in the meantime, all the best in your training.

NAPALM

Most Popular Videos of 2018

DIESELS!

Let’s just say 2018 was a tough year for me personally, but the one thing that kept me on track and focused and kept me from going absolutely crazy was my training. For that, I thank God.

One of the biggest highlights in my online business was finally reaching the 10,000 subscriber mark on my YouTube Channel.

And each year, I like to do a Top 20 Video Countdown of my most popular videos, based on the number of views they received during the 2018 calendar year.

And that’s what I’m bringing to you, starting today. Right now, I’ve got numbers 20 through 16 and each day I’ll come in and add 5 more videos for your viewing pleasure.

One thing I will say is I was surprised how much more popular videos where I just sit down or stand there and talk are, than the training clips I upload. I’m sure that has to do with a combination of A) people have no clue what the hell I’m actually doing in those training clip videos, and B) I think viewers are very used to watching videos of personalities just talking into the camera.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s begin…

20. Which Size of Fat Gripz to Help Close Bigger Grippers? 692 Views

Fat Gripz videos are always popular. There were MULTIPLE Fat Gripz videos on the countdown last year, I think. And I believe this is because Fat Gripz are so widespread and have reached people in all walks of the iron game. Combine that with the topic of grippers, probably the most popular form of grip training, and you’ve got an easy Top 20 ranking video.

19. This Week in Grip – Episode 61 – The Shaw Grip Dissension 705 Views

Another magic key-word for my YouTube this year was Brian Shaw. If I uploaded something in relationship to him, viewers gobbled it right up. And how can you find fault with that, when Brian has one of the strongest grips in the world. Throw in the fact that he promoted grip probably more than anyone on YouTube besides me this year, except for maybe Jujimufu, and it just makes people want more Brian Shaw to cure their grip fever.

18. How Does the Captains of Crush Certification Work? 768 Views

One thing I noticed this year is that a lot of people don’t actually understand the process of how to get certified as a Captain of Crush. Many, many people think you can just drive up to my gym, I can watch you close your #3, and that’s all that needs to be done, but in reality, there’s more steps to go through than just that.

17. What’s Better for Hand Strength? Pinching or Grippers 773 Views

One thing I tried to do this year was make use of dead time, like when I was driving around in my car, in order to make YouTube videos. Especially if I got good questions or repeat questions, I would just hit record and start making a video. Which, if I remember correctly is exactly what I did for this one…

16. Can Anyone Deadlift 600+ Double Overhand, No Hook Grip? 798 Views

This was one of the videos I did this year that I actually got a fair amount of disagreement on. I actually feel that even at my strongest for Deadlifts, there are still a lot of people out there that can Double Overhand Deadlift more than me, and lots of them can hit 600+, even guys who don’t train their grip sspecifically. What do you think?

15. Near Clean and Push Press of Thomas Inch Dumbbell 800 Views/

At the grand opening of my gym, PEAK Strength and Fitness, I did a quick show and made some attempts at the Inch Clean and Press. Here’s the best one I got…

14. How Often Should You Train With Grippers? 822 Views

In this video I address a question I answered a long time ago, but back then I wasn’t quite as good at answering questions on video, so I took another stab this year, to try to be more clear.

13. Where Can I Buy the Thomas Inch Replica Dumbbell | Who Sells Thomas Inch Dumbbells 823 Views

I’ve sold Inch Dumbbell Replicas for Steve Slater for years, but once Junimufu and Brian Alsruhe put up videos about the Inch Dumbbell, I realized not everyone knew that, so I put this video up talking about the process for ordering one and getting the best shipping price.

12. Hardest Gripper Jedd Has Ever Closed 826 Views

Despite all my years in grip training, I’m honestly not a great gripper closer, because I don’t really enjoy training them that much. Here, I talk about some of my best gripper closes.

11. This Week in Grip – Episode 69 – Jujimufu & Tom Visit 832 Views

Here, Allen Heineck and I discuss the time Jujimufu and Tom visited PEAK Strength and Fitness for a grip workout, on their way to Canada for the OK Tour.

10. Clarifying My Viewpoint: “Grippers Are a Waste of Time” 840 Views

As I’ll openly admit, when I first started doing QnA videos, becak in like 2010-2011, I wasn’t the best at it. I’d sometimes drag on and on and often not even answer the question that well, due to going off on a tangent. In my original video, that’s exactly what happened and lots of people called me on it, so last year, I covered this topic again, and this time I believe I did a much better job.

9. How Do You Know if Your Grip is “Strong”? 858 Views

Many viewers have asked me over the years, how can they know if they have a strong grip, and what kind of numbers, feats, and grippers should they shoot for in order to be able to safely say they have a strong grip, so I covered a few of those things during December.

8. Never Before Seen Grip Combination Feat 867 Views

Once I was able to hit the 2x25kg Plate Pinch, I knew I had to do something to push the envelope a little further. So, I did this combination feat.

7. Dennis Rogers: Pound for Pound World’s Strongest Man? 1073 Views

Dennis Rogers is easily the most well-known performing strongman of our time, and I received a question about whether or not he was legit this year, which really surprised me, since I have never heard one single doubt about this man, in all my years. Without a doubt, Dennis is as legit as they come!

6. Is Hanging From a Bar Good for Grip Strength? 1203 Views

Hanging for time from a bar is probably one of the easiest ways to begin training your grip, and I’d be lying if I said I’ve never done it. However, how much will it help YOU, specifically? I go over this in this video. Remember, it’s all about getting the most and the best results possible, in my opinion.

5. Does “Greasing the Groove” Work for Grippers? 1254 Views

Always honest, in this video I address the question of whether or not grease the groove works for bringing up gripper strength.

4. If You Try to Trick Laine Snook, You Will Pay! 1217 Views

This was just a clip of the hilarious (and incredibly strong) Laine Snook, toying with a guy at the ice cream shop in Dubai. The dude would tease each person who wanted an ice cream cone, so Laine got his revenge.

3. Grip Strength: Jedd Johnson 2x25kg Plate Pinch 1329 Views

In this video, I become one of the few men who have been able to pinch 2x25lg plates, then I completely freak out at the end.

2. How does Jedd compare to Brian Shaw in Grip Strength? 1435 Views

Once Brian Shaw started pumping out Grip Strength Training videos last year, many new viewers came to my channel, and several wanted to know my thoughts about how I might compare to him. Seemed like a pretty cool topic to cover.

1. Jedd Johnson – Misses Are Just Warm-ups – Thomas Inch Dumbbell Clean 1713 Views

Here it is! My most popular video of 2018, getting over 1700 views. Another feat that I worked hard for, for several years, the Thomas Inch Dumbbell Clean.



There you have it, DIESELS! The Top 20 Video Countdown from 2018.

I’m sorry I couldn’t make it go a bit more smoothly. I am just so super busy with my gym and coaching business, that it was hard to keep this updated like I wanted.

I hope you enjoyed the videos, and you keep watching my content down the line.

For this year, I have set a goal for my YouTube Channel to hit the 15,000 subscriber mark in 2019. I’ve got lots of plans for how to make that happen, but if you’d like to help me get there, there’s 3 things I’d like to ask you to do for me:

1. Like My Videos: YouTube is always changing things in their algorithm, but one of the things that is consistent is that lots of Likes shows YouTube the video is popular. So, I do ask you to Like my videos when you watch them by hitting the Thumbs-Up button.

2. Comment Under My Videos: I always welcome discussion and questions about my videos, and this also seems to be a way that YouTube determines that the viewer is engaged. That doesn’t mean I need you to go down and say, “Nice Job,” every time I put up a new video (although it is certainly appreciated). But, if you have a comment to add to what I said, or a follow-up question, please go ahead and post it in the comments section, and I will do my best to write back a response, or I might even do a video response to answer your question.

3. Share My Videos: The absolute biggest impact you can have on helping me grow my YouTube Channel is for you to share my videos – whether it be on your favorite social media outlet, a website such as the griptraining sub-reddit, or the message boards and forums that are out there. Despite my best efforts, I still run into people who train grip but have absolutely NO IDEA who the hell I am. So by sharing my videos around, you might just be introducing me to my next subscriber. Thank you, in advance, for sharing my videos around in 2019.

And if you haven’t subscribed yet, make sure you do so today, and opt in for new video notifications on your phone, by clicking the little bell. Click here: Jedd Johnson YouTube Channel

Thanks and all the best in your training!

Jedd

Man, I really thought I had it…

I thought victory #2 at King Kong was mine.

I knew I had the new Flask World Record all wrapped up, which I hoped would be good enough for a big point advantage.

I knew my Crusher was at an all-time high, and once seeing how different Joe Sullivan’s Crusher was, I knew I would be getting a much higher number than what I got in training.

The Moon Top was where I was going to slide in the standings, but I was nearing 50lbs in training before developing some sensitivity in my right middle finger.

And I thought for sure I was going to get 300lbs on the Jug, as I made gains every workout for like 4 weeks straight or something like that.

Here’s some footage of a couple big lifts prior to King Kong:

Flask Lift – Near Double with Current World Record Weight (118lbs)

299lbs on the 2.5″ FBBC Jug

As you can see, the strength was there on those two lifts. Unfortunately, despite the different model of Crusher giving me a nearly 25-lb boost in strength, I failed twice on 290, after succeeding at 280. I also screwed up the score sheet and didn’t report my lift of 50lbs on the Moon Top. Had I done that right and gotten 283 or 284, I would have been King Kong of Grip in 2018 and been the first man to win twice.

It just wasn’t in the cards.

But all that aside, my training was on point.

And if you’d like to try out what I was doing, it’s all in the King Kong Grip Challenge 2018 Workout Plan.

This went on sale in August, and it is almost exactly what I did.

So if you’d like to try it out and see where it can take you, you can pick it up by clicking here: Buy the 2018 King Kong of Grip Workouts.

All the best in your training!

“Napalm” Jedd Johnson

Time to get caught up a little bit on This Week in Grip.

Incidentally, I created a Playlist for the Podcast, so if you’re new to the show, you can start right from the beginning and get caught up: This Week in Grip Complete Playlist

Episode 66 – Hand Shake Power & Rich Williams’ 560 Axle

Episode 67 – Joe Sullivan and the Cross Canada Grip Challenge

Episode 68 – Follow Up on Rich W & What’s the Deal with Plate Flipping?

Episode 69 – Jujimufu & Tom Visit

Episode 70 – What is the Inch Dumbbell???

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Never Before Done Grip Strength Combo Feat

I’ve had my eye on a few goals this year, along the lines of grip strength feats.

The biggest one, I crossed off my list earlier this month – the Inch Dumbbell Clean.

I also recently was successful for the first time pinching 2x25kg plates.

Well, I took that one a little further, but doing a combo feat with the Inch Dumbbell, as well.

Inch Dumbbell Plus 2x25kg Plate Pinch

Training has been going very well, and I am very thankful. Probably 95% of my work has been dedication to King Kong. Luckily, the events have lined up well with the extracurricular feats I’ve been working on as well.

Now, it is Deload time, in preparation for King Kong.

If everything goes well, I will hit some PR’s on the King Kong events.

And maybe even go for some other cool feats, once the competition is out of the way.

How’s your training going?

Feel free to leave a comment below to let us know where you’re at, as the year winds down.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

The Dragon Pistol

If you think the Pistol Squat is tough, well you haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen the Dragon Pistol!

Below is a guest article from Logan Christopher covering this mighty move.

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I used to think that the pistol squat was the ultimate in bodyweight leg training. But I was fortunate to be introduced to a number of other one-legged squat variations from Al Kavadlo. One of these is the Dragon Pistol Squat.

The Dragon Pistol is one of the coolest looking one-legged squat moves. It’s also somewhat confusing the first time you try it. The free leg wraps around and underneath the working leg, requiring a good amount of active flexibility to hold it up off the ground.

Here it is as seen from the front:

And the side:

In addition to stretching your arms forward so that you don’t fall backwards, since the free leg is going slightly out to the side, you also need to lean your torso away from that leg. Also pay attention to the fact that you can get the leg fully extended, but still not be quite in the rock-bottom position.

As you become used to the position you can use your hands on the floor to help you find the balance. Simply holding the bottom position of the dragon pistol is a useful way to build up the ability. This is the hardest part, though transferring into and out of this position is not so easy either.

Give it a try and see how you do…

That’s how you do it, but how do you train for it? Enter the Assisted Dragon Pistol.

The best way to get started in doing the dragon pistol is to do the Assisted Dragon Pistol. In this, you use the opposite side arm to grab onto the free leg. I find it best to just grab onto the big toe, though you may find a different position that is more comfortable to you.

You hold onto the foot for the entire movement. This means you start out with the knee bent and behind you, kind of like a reverse figure-4. By holding onto the foot, you can support the active flexibility that is needed in helping to keep it aloft.

Get good at the assisted dragon pistol, while also working on regular dragon pistol holds in the bottom position and you should be able to accomplish the full move in no time.

This is an advanced move and you may or may not be ready to go for it. I’m guessing that maybe one out of 50 or so it. The good news is that it’s also just one of many squat variations (both two-legged and one) that you can find inside of The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Squats and Pistols 2nd Edition.

If you want much more on training the Dragon Pistol, normal Pistols, all kinds of bodyweight squats and more then check it out here

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This course is absolutely amazing. I never even considered how far you could take the bodyweight squat, but Logan Christopher has taken it ALL THE WAY. Check it out today and grab this newly updated edition!

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