This Week in Grip Podcast

I’ve been wanting to hold a rundown show about Grip Sport for years, and I’ve finally hooked up with Allen Heineck to start doing it.

On 1/15/17, we did our first episode, and over the weekend, we did our second. I’ve got them both posted below, so be sure to check them out!

This Week in Grip Episode #1 – 1/15/17

This Week in Grip Episode #2 – 1/22/17

What were the Top 5 Feats of Grip Strength from 2016, in your opinion?

Weigh in with your vote in the comments below!

All the best in your training.

Jedd

I’ve been toying with the idea of starting up the Diesel Crew Grip Challenge for quite some time.

If you’re new to the site, you probably don’t realize I did a weekly challenge here on the site for most of 2011, but then got away from it and haven’t gotten back.

I want to make these something different from the normal cert lists and online stats for Gripboard.com and GripSport.com, things that we can all work on together in our own gyms.

These are also going to be feats that I feel are beneficial to training, things that will help you truly develop useful, functional grip strength, and not just silly stunts, or anything like that.

I also want to use this as a way to recognize people for their hard work. So, once you reach the top position, I’m more than happy to post your feat here on the site.

I’ll most likely add feats over time, and bring it to the front whenever there is something new.

If you want to take part, just let me know. Include DieselCrew.com Grip Challenge in the title, along with whatever feat it is, send me a link, and you’ll bee considered for posting, as long as your video is legit and you’ve followed the rules.

Here we go:

Block Weight Unbroken Reps

Rules: Can use either 1 or 2 Block Weights. Pairs can be made up of the same or different Block Weights, in order to get on multiple lists at once. Must apply your grip, lift to full lockout, return to the ground and then immediately pull back to lockout without resting or re-gripping. All reps pulled from the contact of the floor to lockout will be counted. This is where the term “unbroken” comes from.

Lists will include half 75 and up for Women and Half 90 and up for Men.

Double Half 100lb York / Blob 50

#1: Jedd Johnson (6 reps)
#2: Juha Harju (4 reps)
#3: Luke Raymond (1 rep)
#4:
#5:
#6:
#7:
#8:
#9:
#10:

Single Half 100lb York / Blob50

Rules: Can use either 1 or 2 Block Weights (the hand which gets more reps will be counted when using a pair of the same block weights). Pairs can be made up of the same or different Block Weights, in order to get on multiple lists at once. Must apply your grip, lift to full lockout, return to the ground and then immediately pull back to lockout without resting or re-gripping. All reps pulled from the contact of the floor to lockout will be counted. This is where the term “unbroken” comes from.

#1: Jedd Johnson (6 reps)
#2: Juha Harju (5 reps)
#3: Jon Vance (3 reps)
#4: Marco Buhl (5 reps – Gladiator Blob – 43lbs)
#5:
#6:
#7:
#8:
#9:
#10:

More feats to come. Any questions, please let me know.

All the best in your training!

Jedd

My friend owns a cool little company, and one of the things they do is produce these adhesive decals that can be placed on building windows, car windows, table tops, and even cornhole boards.

I’ve teamed up with him to make a few decals, as well, and right now they are all Grip-based.

I think they’re going to be awesome decorations for your car, your work station, storage devices, tool boxes, hard hats, etc, and they will make good conversation pieces and help spread the word about our little sport and hobby of Grip.

You can order yours here: Grippin’ Window Decals

Here are the three current designs, with a little explanation about how I came up with each one:

My Gripper’s Bigger Than Yours

Nothing wrong with a little bragging and smack-talk, every once in a while.

I took the massive arm crushing the gripper from the “Crushin’ Grippers Like It’s My Job” shirt, and re-purposed it for this one.

Are you the king of grippers in your crew? Then you need this shirt to brag about your Grip Glory.

How Man Inches Can You Handle?

A little edgy, this one was thought up by my old artwork guy from years ago.

We became good friends and used to talk all the time, even when we weren’t working on artwork projects, but I haven’t heard a peep out of him since July of 2012.

Fearing the worst, this one is kind of in memory to Rory Hickman.

Pinchin’ Ain’t Easy

Back in the late 1990’s, it was the “Attitude Era” in the WWF, and both the characters and the storylines were edgier back then.

There was a wrestler called the Godfather who was essentially a pimp, and brought prostitutes to the ring. One of his catch-phrases were, “Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy.”

I borrowed that from him and massaged it a fit the theme of Grip, but the little dude is still a Pimp when it comes to Plate Pinching.

Again, these decals are supposed to be fun ways to get our sport out there a little bit more. I hope you choose to support this effort by making a purchase today. You can get yours here => Diesel Grippin’ Window Decals.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

The Living Legends Grip Challenge took place on August 13, 2016.

I will not be posting the video footage from the comp, because there were professional videographers there who will be making a top-of-the-line DVD of the event, and I don’t want to take anything away from the promoter, Andrew Pantke, and video producer, Rich Cottrell, who sunk a lot of money into the video production.

I have, however, volunteered to coordinate the marketing of the DVD, and you can reserve your copy of the Contest Video once it comes out, by going here: Living Legends Grip Challenge DVD’s.

Again, this is to recuperate the investment for those dudes – I am not keeping the money.

Although I’m not posting the footage I took publicly, I did decide to put out some clips of the post-comp feats that went down and other memorable occasions. I will also be doing a special video for my YouTube channel talking about the trip.

To begin, I want to share this – this was the first chance I got to meet the great Juha Harju from Finland. I have been following Juha since 2009, and we have been very good friends via the internet since about 2013 or so.

It was my absolute pleasure to meet him and compete with hm, and I wanted to give him my own special welcoming message, to let him know that it was indeed the REAL Napalm Jedd Johnson who was there that day, and not the imposter troll who pretends to be me on YouTube.

“Napalm” Jedd Meets Juha “GripMonster” Harju

After the contest, the feating began. I’m talking about SECONDS after the contest was done, feat items started popping up all over the gym. It was PLAY TIME.

The first thing we attacked was the Old School York 45-lb Plates. Up until then, the only men I have ever heard of pinch-ifting Old School York 45-lb Plates were Richard Sorin, Chad Woodall, and myself.

Well, that list grew to nearly twice that size after Living Legends, because both Juha Harju and Gil Goodman completed the feat, and Aaron Corcorran came to within inches of a full lockout lift.

Juha Harju Pinches Old School York 45lb Plates

Gil Goodman Pinches Old School York 45lb Plates

Aaron Corcorran NEARLY Pinches Old School York 45’s

Next, it was time to mess around with the biggest prize of the contest – the Sahlaney Iron Inch Dumbbell. Weighing 173lbs and with gold-painted bells, it is easily the prettiest Inch Dumbbell, I’ve ever seen. First off, since I was unable to lock out the Old School York 45’s, I grabbed the Sahlaney Inch and did a combo lift along with Blobzilla, a half 130lb York Legacy.

Jedd Johnson Lifts Sahlaney Inch and Blobzilla

I believe I was the first lifter to pick the Sahlaney Inch to lockout, at least I didn’t see anyone else do it. Regardless, if I was the first, I wasn’t the only one to lift it for very long, because then Juha Harju attacked it.

Juha Harju Lifts the Sahlaney Iron Inch Dumbbell

I know that Gil Goodman also showed the Sahlaney Inch who was the boss, but I have not located the footage yet.

The next feat I got on film was Kody Burns, the man who took the title at Living Legends, and the prize Sahlaney Inch, manhandled the double 2x20kg Eleiko plate pinch and held them in authoritative fashion.

Kody Burns Pinches and Holds Double 2x20kg Eleikos

Diesels, I can not tell you enough how much it meant to me to meet and compete with Juha. To rise to the challenge and nearly win the event (I lost by only 2.5 points) was a bonus.

On top of all that, this event was special. This was EASILY the most talent I’ve ever competed against outside of Mighty Mitts on the Arnold Classic stage. This contest really meant something.

And, to top it all off, there was an entire other contest taking place at the very same time – the Open Division. Jason Gonzalez proved he is a true Rising Star in Grip Sport besting 5 other competitors on the day.

Diesels, the DVD of this event is something every single fan of Grip Sport needs to have. This was truly a piece of history you do not want to miss out on owning.

Again, go to this link to reserve your copy for the special low price, and it will be shipped directly to you as soon as it is available.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

On August 13th, I’ll be in Wooster, Ohio, competing at the Living Legends Grip Challenge.

This field of competitors is going to be AWESOME.

Not only will some of the very best from North American Grip Sport be at the competition, but some serious monsters from around the world, especially the Grip Monster himself, Juha Harju. Most recently, one of the guys who frequently trains with Juha, Arto Jaronen, has also tossed his name in the hat.

This is going to be quite a field indeed!

Aside from the top level competition, the events in the contest are going to be very interesting as well.

The Legends category will feature 4 events that have rarely or even NEVER been contested before…

Andrew’s Axle 2-3/8″
Andrew Durniat’s event, Deadlift to Lockout

Glass Bar 2.5″ Pinch Barbell
Adam Glass’s event, Lift to crossbar

Cast Anvil Horn Trainer
Kody Burns’s event, Lift to Crossbar

4″ Climber Pinch
Jedd Johnson’s event, Lift to Crossbar

I’ve been doing my best to learn each of these new events. Little things like where to put your hand, how to position your thumbs and fingers, how far to have your hands separated, whether to go conventional or sumo stance – I’ve been going through each of these variables, trying to figure out what the best options are for me.

Training 2 & 3/8″ Axle

I don’t have an official Andrew’s Axle, but we do have a couple of 2 & 3/8″ diameter axles we’ve been training on, of various lengths. Here, I got in the 330’s for a few reps…

Training the Anvil Horn

We’ve worked with Anvil horn trainers, but I’ve been enjoying loading weight to an actual anvil much better.

Training the Climber Pinch

My specialty piece was supposed to be a loadable Fatman Blob, but it wasn’t completed in time for the competition, so instead, we’ll be using the 4″ Climber Pinch.

Training the Saxon Bar

I’ve never worked on the Saxon Bar too much, so I’m trying to figure out the best angles, grips, and other details. Here’s 220lbs x 4.

Like anything new, the events of this contest are a learning process. It’s been fun trying new things and implementing strategy for this contest. It’s really going to be a good time. I can’t wait for August 13th to get here, so the chalk dust can fly!

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Empire Classic Grip Challenge

Empire Classic Grip Challenge Info

Pat Burke, Jedd, Shawn Snider

In a neck-and-neck battle from the very start of the competition, Pat Burke and Shawn Snider, two Washington state lifting partners called an end to their friendship for a matter of hours in order to see who would become the very first Empire Classic Grip Champion.

Empire Classic Grip Challenge – Grippers

The first event was Grippers. Pat pulled ahead out of the gate, edging Shawn by 12 lbs, closing a GHP #6 to Shawn’s IronMind #2.5.

Attempts:
Pat: 125, 134(m), 130, 137
Shawn: 125, 142(m), 134(m), 142(m)

Empire Classic Grip Challenge – Two Hands Pinch

Shawn evened the score, taking the second event, the Pinch, lifting 183.8625lbs. Pay got 153.025, but missed 163.4375 on his final attempt by a few inches.

Attempts:
Pat: 134, 143, 153, 163(m)
Shawn: 153, 183, 193(m), 193(m)

Empire Classic Grip Challenge – Axle Deadlift

Next up was the Axle, and it proved to be a mighty challenge for both Shawn and Pat, as they indicated that the IronMind Axle had a tougher surface than the Rogue axle they had been training on. Shawn extended his lead here with a pull of 323.85 to Pat’s 284.7875. Pat tried valiantly to lockout 305.05 on his last two attempts, and although he got the bar higher on his second try, the 20+ lb jump proved too much to lock out.

Attempts:
Pat: 264, 284, 305(m), 305(m)
Shawn: 305, 310, 323(m), 323

Empire Classic Grip Challenge – Sledge Choke

The final event to settle it all, the Sledge Choke, was next. This was a 12-lb Sledge with a US. Quarter on the head. The athletes gripped it behind a distance marker and then lifted it atop an 18″ Washington tree trunk, from a 150 year old tree that had recently been toppled due to construction.

Pat was able to edge out Shawn on the Choke, lifting the hammer at 17 inches to Shawn’s 16.

Attempts:
Pat: 16, 18(m), 17, 18(m)
Shawn: 17(m), 16, 17(m), 17(m)

In the end, Pat’s victory in the Sledge Choke proved too slim in order to jump past Shawn in the standings. Shawn maintained his edge on Pat, finishing the comp 38.5 points to 37.1.

Once the dust settled, these two gentlemen buried the hatchet, and shook hands, knowing they had more to gain by re-aligning then continuing their feud past this day.

They also took comfort knowing they had done what they had committed to doing – attacking the Empire Classic Grip Challenge with full force, and testing themselves where it counted the most – on the platform.

Congratulations to these guys for putting it all on the line and doing the competition. I do wish more people would have come out, but they did not.

Looking forward to next year. All the best in your training.

Jedd

Click the Banner to View This Awesome Workout

Man what an awesome time last week, DIESELS.

As you know, on Thursday, I help the Basics of Grip and Strongmanism seminar.

Here’s a pic, with Dr. Jim Wagner on the left, me, and Chris Fritz on the right.

I got this message posted on my wall on Facebook, after the event:

“I got to spend the day at a seminar with the grip legend himself,
Jedd Johnson. I learned more in 5 hours than I did in the last
five years. It was an awesome day and Jedd is one of the nicest
guys you could meet! I’ll be seeing you again Brother, hopefully
at the next contest!”
Chris Fritz

Here’s how the day’s content rolled out:

9:00AM Start, meet and greet

Warm-up
General to specific
– General Full Body: Mobility / Activation / Light Stretching
– Move to Weights
– Move to Specific
Magic Formula for Success

Grippers
Technique
– Placement
– Gripper Angle
– Wrist Angle
– Tension
– Set to Close
– Skin Stretch
– Hit
– Thumb Strike
– Roll the Dice
High Impact Drills
Other Considerations

Pinching
Technique
Chalking Considerations
Plate Pinching
Block Weights
Odd Objects
Euro Pinch
High Impact Drills

Thick Bar and other Open Hand Training
What is Open Hand Training? Is Thick Bar “Support Grip”
Support Specificity
Technique
High Impact Drills

Intro to Feats
Tension
Beginner Conditioning

Card Tearing

Steel Bending

Programming
Individual Based
Setting up YOUR Program
Formulating Workouts – Think Energy Economy
Specificity of Grip Training

Injury Prevention & Recovery Methods

2:00 / 2:30PM Close

Man, I’ll tell you what, I absolutely love talking GRIP with people.

As an added bonus, before we called it a day, Dr. Jim Wagner got out his Hawk Grips, a special set of soft tissue massaging devices, and worked on us a little bit.

We got EVERYTHING on film, and I’ve already begun editing the footage, and will be making it available on DVD.

If you want to be the first to add this information to your library, add your information to the box below:

It will be ready as absolutely fast as I can get through all 5 hours!

In the meantime, Make it a Great Week.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

P.S. Sign up for notification as soon as this seminar becomes available.

Battle of the Grip

Up coming Grip Contest in Syracuse, New York

Date: March 26th
Entry Form: Click Here
Entry Fee: $30, made out to Jedd Johnson – PO BOX 806 Wyalusing, PA 18853
Events: Blob Hold for Time | Anvil Hold for Time | Wrist Wrench Lift to Lockout (Max)
Weigh-ins: 8AM to 10AM
Warm-ups: 9AM
Rules: 9:30AM
Contest Begins: 10AM
Rules: Below

Event 1: Blob Hold for Time

The Blobs used will be half 75lb York Blobs and 25lb Power Pills. Lifter will take a Grip on the Blobs and lift to lockout and hold for as long as possible. The Blobs may not contact your legs/thighs/body. Time continues until a Blob(s) falls out of your hand, or you set one/two of them down. You must get at least 5 seconds for your time to count. If you can not get 5 seconds with the half 75’s, you may take a second attempt with the 25lb Diesel Power Pills. Any holds of at least 5 seconds with the half 75s will beat holds with the 25b Power Pills.

Event 2: Anvil Hold for Time

The Anvils used will weigh 118lbs and 55lbs. Each lifter will get 1 attempt right-handed on the big anvil and 1 attempt right-handed on the small anvil. Lifters must get at least a 5-second hold with the 118lb Anvil for their attempt to count. Time begins once the Anvil breaks off the floor and goes until the Anvil slips out of your grip or until you return it to the floor. If you do not get a 5-second hold with the big anvil, you will get a second attempt on the small anvil. Any 5-count hold or longer with the big anvil beats holds with the smaller anvil.

The same process takes place left-handed for all competitors. You will have a combined score based on your performance on each Anvil.

Event 3: Wrist Wrench for Max Weight

The Wrist Wrench will be gripped so the strap crosses on the thumb side of the implement. The lifter gets one pull per attempt, and you must lift the Wrist Wrench so that your knees, hips, and off-hand shoulder are locked out. “Good lift” will be called, at which point you must return the implement back to the ground under reasonable control. If you drop it or if it pops out of your hand, your attempt will not count. One hand (strong hand) is to be used on all 4 attempts. This is a Rising Bar event, meaning once weight is added, it won’t be taken off, so make sure that you don’t start too high. Get on the board with a good lift and then make smart jumps up in weight. Smallest increments will be 2.5lbs. If you are unfamiliar with the Wrist Wrench, it is MUCH HARDER than the IronMind Rolling Thunder. As an example, 85lbs is a very respectable lift, and 100lbs is almost unheard of.

Scoring: Strongman Scoring will be used for all 3 events. You get points based on your placing, and low points at the end wins. Example: First Place = 1 point, Second Place = 2 points, etc.

EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Tilted Kilt in Syracuse, New York.

-Jedd-