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

Tearing Phone Books and
Lifting Inch Dumbbells

Here is the second video from Jujimufu and Tom Boyden, when they visited PEAK Strength and Fitness recently.

In this one, we do a bunch of Grip Training Feats, and many of them were firsts or best performances ever.

This one is definitely a must see, because there were so many PR’s.

Are you training to Tear Phone Books?

Are you shooting to Lift the Inch Dumbbell?

Then pick up the products that will lead you to these 2 awesome feats. Click the banners below.

All the best in your training!

Jedd

Atlas Stone Lifting

20-inch Diameter Stones weighing in the 320-530lb Range

Want to Learn to Lift Atlas Stones?
Check Out This DVD:
Stone Lifting Fundamentals DVD

This quick video shows you how we’re running the Northeast Grip Challenge in Syracuse, NY, on July 7, 2018.

I am starting up a new list, devoted solely to communicating when the next sanctioned Grip Contests are taking place. I am contacted all the time by people wanting to know, and this will be the easiest way to keep everyone informed.

All you need to do is put your information in the boxes below and I will send you notifications when the next contests are scheduled, and when other important grip contest news becomes available.

Do you know anyone else who would like to stay up to date about upcoming competitions? If so, please share this post with them, and have them add their email in, as well.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

Start Your Grip Sport Career Right With
The Basics of Grip Training and Strongmanism

I would like to personally extend a big thank you to the following companies who have come on as sponsors for the 2018 North American Grip Sport Championship!

Chris Andrade at Bensonhurst Barbell Club

Chris Rice, Veteran of Grip Sport & Promoter of the Gripmas Carol

I will be releasing my Crushed to Dust Workout very soon!

Enter your information below, and be the first to know when this new product goes live.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Jedd Johnson’s Top Videos in 2017

For several years now, I’ve put together a list of my top videos of the year, based on number of views.

This isn’t always a “fair” comparison, because some videos have been up for a lot longer time than others.

This year, I’m including any videos I uploaded during December of 2016 in the countdown.

It’s interesting to see the topics that register into thee Top 20 every year.

One thing is clear, Fat Gripz are a very popular video topic on my channel. Part of that may have to do with the fact that I post those videos on Fat Gripz’s Facebook page, as well, so there’s more visibility. But there’s absolutely no doubt about it that there’s more awareness of Fat Gripz out there than there is Inch Dumbbell, Blob, and other much more common topics that I put up videos about.

Without further ado, here is the countdown, starting with number 20.

20. Warning: HARD Shoulder and Upper Back Training Method – 560

Although my biggest interest is Grip Strength, I also love all other forms of training and sometimes I put together some absolutely vicious combinations. Here’s one of them that I did this year for bigger shoulders and upper back.

19. Inch Hand-to-Hand Transfer – My First Time Ever – Right to Left – 590

Transferring the Inch Dumbbell from one hand to another is a feat that only a “handful” of people have done. I know that Adam Glass and Andrew Durniat have pulled it off, but can’t remember who else (if you know of anyone, please let me know). In 2018, I’d like to manage passing it from right to left and back to the right, or vice versa, as I don’t think anyone else has done that.

18. IronMind Stacker Training – 30lbs | Joe Sullivan – 601

Shortly after the New Year, Joe Sullivan came down for a training session. He brought several of his cool griplements, including the IronMind Stacker, that I don’t think I ad ever seen before.

17. A Version of Shrugs You’ve Never Done Before – 641

I tried these once this year, and instantly enjoyed them. Aside from their ability to build up the yoke, they also promote stability throughout the shoulder as well as the core.

16. This Week in Grip – Episode 2 – 1/22/17 – 660

This year, I finally was able to do two things I’ve wanted to do for a while: (1) Resurrect my old Grip Strength show/podcast, and (2) Bring more exposure to the great things going on in Grip Sport. Both became a reality when friend and log-time member of The Grip Authority, Allen Heineck. Also, later on this year, we brought Riccardo Magni aboard, as well, after having him on as a guest.

15. How to Build Grip Strength: Beginner Thick Bar Training | Awake and Alive – 669

I got invited to do a guest blog post this year – the first one I’ve done in a while, and all the videos from that post registered in this year’s Top 20.

14. Arm Wrestling Bench Curls – 675

There’s no denying the popularity of arm wrestling. I only put up a couple arm wrestling videos all year long, but they ended up in the countdown, and I didn’t even push them that hard.

13. How to Build Grip Strength: Beginner Grip Training with Modified Pullups | Awake and Alive – 701

Here’s another one from that guest post I mentioned before.

12. First Time Trying Pinch Pull-ups – 722

This was from the near beginning of the year. I think people were shocked that I was able to do these, but honestly, I think anyone could do these on this tool, as it rotates forward and takes a lot of pressure off the thumbs. I think the feat is over-rated, myself.

11. Jedd Johnson #4 Silver Bullet World Record 15.32 Seconds – 801

This is one I was definitely proud of. Hard to believe it has been almost ayear already since this record went down.

10. What’s Better? Gripper Negatives, or Holds? 972

This is a common question I get, and sometimes people are surprised by the answer I give.

9. How to Train for Grip Strength: Beginner Gripper Training Information | Awake and Alive – 1091

Look at that, another one from the guest post I did. Maybe I should do more of these?

8. Heavy Sledgehammer Levers | Joe Sullivan – 1100

Joe Sullivan is on a tear with sledgehammers. This is nothing compared to where he’s at now.

7. How to Train for Grip Strength: Plate Pinch for Beginner Grip Training | Awake and Alive – 1159

Let’s go over some plate pinching basics, brotherrrr!

6. This Week in Grip – Episode 1 – 1.15.17 – 1185

Here’s the very first episode of This Week in Grip, in case you’ve never heard it. Be sure to check it out.

5. How to Train for Grip Strength: Beginner Grip Training with Hammers | Awake and Alive

Now it’s time to build some serious wrist strength! Get your hammers out and start using them.

4. Training for Thicker Wrists and Forearms | Cooking with Napalm – 1317

In this video, I cover some tips on building bigger forearms.

3. First Time Ever – Double Old School York 45’s Pinch – 3840

Probably the highlight of my training year, I was finally able to perform the Double Old School York 45lb Plate Pinch.

2. Will Grip Training Build Big Forearms? – 4996

I get this question all the time, and took some time to answer it last year for my YouTube Clan.

1. Should I Get Regular Fat Gripz or Extremes? – 7202

Fat Gripz are so popular! I always seem to get a lot of views on videos about Fat Gripz. I’m thinking of doing more videos on Fat Gripz, showing training tips, some of my favorite drills, etc, because I think a LOT more people have access to Fat Gripz than other thick bar handles. Hopefully, if I do this, it will help bring more people into Grip Sport.

The Countdown is OVER, brotherrrr. Stay tuned for more videos coming your way soon.

Also, if there’s anything you’d like to see me cover on my YouTube Channel in 2018, please feel free to leave a comment below.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

One of the main things I’ve been focusing on for the last few months has been the Inch Dumbbell.

Specifically, I want to Clean the Inch Dumbbell.

As a result, since the late summer, I have put in countless hours, building thick bar strength.

I haven’t uploaded everything I’ve done with the Inch.

Honestly, I have a back-log of feat footage that I may never catch up on.

I thought for sure I’d reach that feat this year, with the progress I was making, but my injured right ring finger did end up holding me back a bit, because of the dynamic nature of the clean.

So in the meantime, I’ve been trying to add as much weight to the Inch Dumbbell, do as many combo feats, and bring up my strength on many other similar thick bar implements that have proven to be beneficial for my Inch strength in the past.

Here’s some of the things I’ve been working on and actually uploaded…

Inch Dumbbell Plus 2x50lb Scale Weights

Inch Dumbbell Reps for 10 Minutes

I also found out I may have the opportunity to try my hand at a Millennium Dumbbell in the upcoming months, so I’ve also begun training for that the best I can.

One way I’m doing so is with my 2.5-inch plate loadable dumbbell.

Millennium Dumbbell Trainer

I am very thankful for how training is going.

I honestly feel, in the next few months if I stay on this track, the Inch Clean will be mine, and I’ll have a good chance at a Millennium lift.

Stay tuned for more developments as I work toward these goals.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

I Want YOU To Come Along For The Ride.
Grab the Inch Dumbbell DVD and Start
Making Strides To Your Thick Bar Goals Today!

Diesel Shirts

I’m back from holding a Grip Challenge alongside the Arm Wrestling Tournament at the Great New York State Fair, and I’ve got some shirts left over, so I’ve posted them below. Also, I’ve put up the other shirts I have left over from past orders. You can save on shipping by ordering multiple shirts. Any questions, please let me know.

Thanks!

Jedd

Diesel Punisher Flag Shirt

Womens Large

Womens XL

Mens Medium

Mens Large

Mens XL

Mens 3XL

How Many Inches Can You Handle

My Gripper’s Bigger Than Yours

Mens Black with White Print – XL

My Gripper’s Bigger Thank Yours

Mens Light Blue – Small

Pinchin’ Ain’t Easy – Red Print

Mens Small

Pinchin’ Ain’t Easy – Purple Print

Mens Large

Crushin’ Grippers Like It’s My Job

Mens Yellow Large

Crushin’ Grippers Like It’s My Job

Mens Medium

Mens Large

Crushin’ Grippers Like It’s My Job

Merry Gripmas

Mens Heather Gray Large

Merry Gripmas

No Luck Needed Jersey

Mens XL Only

Beginner Grip Training: Basic Thick Bar Work

This is the latest installment in my Beginner Grip Training series. Up to this point, I’ve already touched on Plate Pinch Grip Training, and Gripper Training, but did you know that even if you don’t have a single piece of grip strength training equipment, you’ve got perfect access to in just about ANY gym around?

It’s true – you can work Thick Bar in your next workout, and this video shows you how.

Thick Bar Training in Any Gym

What questions do you have about Grip Training, Thick Bar Work, etc? Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you.

All the best in your training,

Jedd

While most of what you see from me is Grip Training related, I actually do much more training than just Grip.

In fact, I do just as much, if not more training, for my full body.

Every so often, I even try a mainstream strength challenge to see where I’m at.

Even though I’ve only benched with a barbell a couple of times in the last 18 months, I wanted to see how many reps I could get in the 225lb Bench Press for Reps that you see done in the NFL Combine and other tests.

I’ve done this test a few times in the past, but honestly I have no idea how much I’ve gotten before. I *believe* this is the most reps I’ve ever gotten.

Throughout all of 2016, my main objective flat bench pressing was Dumbbell Bench Press, because it didn’t hurt my shoulders, as much as Barbell Bench.

Well, as it turns out, I had developed some bad habits with my Bench Press technique, and these habits are what was causing my issues, not the Barbell Bench itself.

I figured this out when I visited my friend Jerry Shreck, head strength coach from Bucknell University.

He corrected my form while we trained on the Bamboo & Tsunami bars at his gym, and ever since, my shoulders have started feeling better and better.

By using these bars, I was really able to lock in my form, and feel my lats working the way they’re supposed to during the Bench Press. By working on this form and training for endurance in my lats, I think my form is back closer to where it should be, at least as far as my upper body positioning is concerned.

Naturally, with proper form comes improved strength. As I said above, I think I got into some bad habits with my Bench Press set-up that over time caused some serious discomfort.

Once this form issue was identified, and as I worked to correct it, the pain subsided, and I gradually built back some of my strength.

I still have no clue what my Max Bench Press might be, and I don’t really care right now, as I’m much more interested in working back up to 150lb Dumbbell Bench Presses.

But we’ll see what happens!

I hope you got something out of this quick Bench Press post, and if you have any questions, please feel free to comment.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

It’s Never Too Early to Start August of Arms

Beginner Gripper Training

I’m posting a series of grip training videos for beginner grip guys and gals, here: Beginner Pinch Grip Training. I’ve already posted beginner pinch grip training, and today, I’m sharing beginner gripper training.

Gripper Training is a way to build and measure how much CRUSHING force you have in your hands. Grippers are a lot of fun to train and close, and can be quite addicting!

Take note, there are a lot of things to know about gripper training technique, if you decide you want to go for certification, if you want to close the biggest grippers possible in your training, or if you ever decide to compete.

If you’re ready to take the jump into Gripper Training, then you want my video, CRUSH – Total Gripper Domination. Available as both a digital online DVD and a hare copy video, it will cover everything you need to know about gripper technique and the drills that will help you fully develop your crush.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Everything You Need to Know About Gripper Training in One Awesome Product: CRUSH

I’m helping out a friend who lives in Florida sell a bunch of his equipment. He’s hit some rough times and needs to sell his gear to cover some medical expenses. If you’re interested in anything, please email me and I will forward your email to him.

log bar

atlas stones (100lbs, 150lbs)

battling ropes

15′ climbing rope 2″ thick

kettlebells and dumbells all sizes

hollow 2″ axel bar

plate loaded circus dumbell

yoke

2″ wrestling mat

exercise mat

suspension devices

power rack

deadlift trap bar

titans telegraph

heavy bags

sandbags

football bar

agility ladder

All items are used and a bit worn but very usable.

I will take the best offer but they must pay for shipping.

Message me with questions.

Every year, it has been a tradition to post up on the site the Top 20 Videos from the past year, on my YouTube Channel.

Starting today, I’ll post 5 videos, and put up 5 more every day or so.

I noticed a few patterns in the countdown this year:

• Feats and Training videos fell short of the list, for the most part. I guess I need to try and spice up my videos a bit to make them more popular.
• Q&A Videos and Cook with Napalm Videos seem very popular. They make up close to half, if not more of the countdown.
• Arm Training Videos are very popular. There are several vids that feature arm training lifts, feats, and tests, and make up a good percentage of the countdown.
• Gripmas 2015 videos were extremely popular. Many of the clips and highlights from Gripmas 2015 got 4-digit views this year.
• Videos featuring other lifters surge in popularity. You’ll see videos from many other lifters on this countdown, including my partner, Luke, as well as Juha Harju, famoust gripper guy, Paul Knight, and Kody Burns, who set a new world record in the Two Hands Pinch at Gripmas.

I hope you enjoy the countdown, and the information can help you finish out the year on a strong note and make 2017 your strongest year ever.

Top 20 Videos – 2016

20. Dude Love Crossover Double Blob Lift – 709

This is one of the few feat videos on the Top 20 List, and I think it is the only time this feat has ever been done. It is named after Dude Love, a wrestler from the late 90’s WWF, who would do the criss-cross hands boogie dance, or whatever it’s called. This is a feat that feels very weird, and increases the difficulty quite a bit. Try it out and let me know what you think.

19. Meeting Juha and Arto for the First Time – Living Legends – 708

This is probably my favorite video on the countdown. It meant so much to me to be able to meet Juha and compete with him at the Living Legends competition. It’s a day I’ll never forget. You’ll see Juha later on in the countdown as well.

18. Strongman Training – Log and Giant Dumbbell Press – 709

I didn’t take the time to do much training outside this year, and the times I did, I didn’t shoot much video, but this clip is one of the few videos I put up this year from my outside training, and it registered in the Top 20. This one features the Giant Dumbbell that we plan to sell through the store in the New Year. It’s shot-loadable, and is a Beast to train with. What an awesome time!

17. Paul Knight – GHP#7 x 10 Reps – 739

We made several trips to Paul Knight’s this year, and I think we finally started to rub off on him, because he’s been dabbling in Grip again. In this video, which I was lucky to snag, he grabs a GHP #7 and casually reps it out for a set of 10. Unreal.

16. Juha Harju – Old School York 45’s Pinch – 765

Leading up to Living Legends, I asked Juha if he wanted me to bring anything with me for him to try that he didn’t have in his gym. His only request was the Old School York 45-lb Plates. He put together a lengthy cycle of training in preparation for his encounter with them, and was indeed successful in pinch-lifting them, becoming only the 4th or 5th person ever to do so.

15. Sick Muscle Building Finisher for Back and Triceps – 775

On Fridays, my adult guys train with me, and we usually do a Yoke training workout consisting of Back, Triceps and Traps. We’ve also begun adding Neck Training in there, as well. I don’t generally film too much of these workouts, because we pack a LOT of volume into just 60 minutes, and I don’t like monkeying with the camera, but this particular finisher ended up being pretty intense, so I went ahead and set up the camera.

14. 100lb Dumbbell Hammer Curls – STRICT!!! – 847

It’s pretty clear that YouTube viewers like Arm Training videos, because there’s a lot of them on the Top 20 Countdown this year. Here, I tried out 100lb Hammer Curls. I originally planned on emphasizing this movement during August of Arms this year, but I ended up getting away from it and mainly sticking to the programming. I’d like to focus on it at some point, though.

13. Table Top Curl – 127lbs – Luke Raymond – 1085

With this video, my lifting partner, Luke Raymond, breaks into the countdown. Luke has really put forth a big push in the world of arm wrestling over the last year or so, and it’s become clear that he’s well gifted, both by his winning performance at WAL Amateur Nationals this year, and by the numbers he puts up on the gym.

12. 3 Tips to Fix Elbow Pain – Tennis Elbow – 1175

What do you do when a guy like Devin Gage asks you to help out his gym members with some methods to fix elbow pain? You get your butt downstairs and shoot a video – that’s what! In a way, it kind of sucks that this video is in my Top 20, because it means that too many people are still dealing with elbow pain at the gym. If you’ve been suffering with elbow pain, be sure to check this video out.

11. Gripmas 2015 – Jedd Johnson Medley – 1243

I included the videos from December 2015 in the countdown, because they wouldn’t have qualified for the countdown last year, and there were many clips from the Gripmas Carol contest that ranked in the Top 20. The first one is my Medley run. I was able to seal the victory on the overall contest with this run, as I finished first in this individual event. It breaks my heart that I had to miss Gripmas 2016, due to dealing with my crappy back injury.

10. R.I.P. Vasily Alexeev – Cooking with Napalm – 1357

I have to admit, Clickbait on Facebook got me for this one. I saw a news headline that Vasily Alexeev has died earlier this year, and I totally forgot that he actually died a few years back, until it was pointed out to me by a YouTube viewer. Apparently, many people didn’t realize this that watched the video, because there were a lot of comments saluting him from viewers. Either way, I was able to put out a bit of dedication video and talk about a key time in my life where I began transitioning from just muscle building training to strength training.

9. Kettlebell Swings – Russian or American – What’s Better? – 1479

Kettlebell training is extremely popular, and even though it’s been several years since I had an active Kettlebell Certification, I still get questions about Kettlebell Training. For this video, I was asked by a viewer if I preferred the Russian or the American style of Kettlebell Swing.

8. Ivanko Super Gripper – Gripmas 2015 – Various Competitors – 1518

Another video from Gripmas 2015, this one shows several attempts on the Ivanko Super Gripper event. The gripper had a flash light mounted on it, and the objective was to close the handles so that the light turned on. As the handles moved close enough together, the power button would be depressed, you’d hear a click, and the light would turn on. It had to go on though – if it just bumped the button, or didn’t strike it hard enough to turn the light on, it was considered a miss.

7. The Wrist Wrench vs The Rolling Thunder – 1655

In the world of Grip Sport, probably the most well-known thick bar training handle is the Rolling Thunder from IronMind. However, in recent years, many more rolling handles have shown up on the market. One of them, the Wrist Wrench, is marketed primarily to Arm Wrestlers for developing wrist strength and finger pressure. In this video, I talk about it’s application to Grip enthusiasts, and especially for training to lift the Inch Dumbbell.

6. Kody Burns | New World Record 274.85lbs | Two Hands Pinch – 1702

Another highlight from Gripmas 2015, in the video below, Kody Burns sets a new all-time World Record in the Two Hands Pinch Lift with nearly 275lbs.

5. Arm Wrestling Training | The Mighty Hand Trainer from Stronger Grip – 2557

There’s no doubting the rise in popularity of Arm Wrestling, ever since the show, “Game of Arms,” came out. The last couple of years, many of my top videos have had to do with Arm Wrestling. This one shows Luke working with one of the arm wrestling tools that Ryan Pitts of Stronger Grip puts out, the Mighty Hand Trainer. This kind of training, a cumbersome object attached to a band, is a lot of fun. You get a good grip stimulus, along with plenty of forearm and upper arm work. Very fun stuff.

4. Gripmas 2015 – Trying 2x25kg Plate Pinch – 2617

One of the most difficult plate pinching feat involving just 2 plates is the 2x25kg plate pinch. Juha Harju was the first to do it, then Bob Sundin did it, and at Gripmas Kody Burns did it. Below, you’ll see he pinches them and then holds them, braced against his leg. Jake Sahlany and I tried them as well, and got decent breaks, but the pull to lockout just wasn’t happening for me, as my hands were tired and my thumbs were very irritated already.

3. Is Wrist Roller a Waste of Time – 2680

I ended up addressing a couple of controversial topics this year, and this is the first one to appear on the countdown. I’ve had lots of people push back on this, but I stand firm on my stance that the Wrist Roller, specifically the kind where you stand there and hold the wrist roller out away from you, is a complete waste of time for building grip strength, plus it can be very hard on the shoulders and elbows. It’s a much better idea to use a rack supported wrist roller, where you’re not limited by how much weight your arms can hold up. In fact, a rack supported writ roller allows you to roll well over 100lbs, which is enough weight to produce suitable grip strength adaptations, and not just pumping the forearm full of blood with light weights.

2. What is the Best Home Gym Flooring? | Save Money on Home Gym – 5988

It’s disappointing to me when I hear of people setting up their home gym, and they spend so much money on rubber matting marketed by fitness companies. In so many cases, the “fitness” rubber matting is severely over-priced, when in reality, horse/cow stall mats are practically the same exact thing, they work just as well, and they are a fraction of the price. I also talk about the underlying layers of wood that set on the floor to protect the concrete.

1. Why Grippers Are a Waste of Time – 15168

And we wrap up the countdown this year with my

There you go – the Top 20 Videos is complete. I want to thank each and every one of you for watching my videos throughout the year, and for following the countdown over the last week or so.

What was your favorite video on the channel this year? Post in the comments below.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Check Out the Top Videos from Previous Years?

Top 20 Videos from 2015
Top 20 Videos from 2014
Top 10 Videos from 2013 – Just shy of the Top 10 (11-15)
Top 10 Videos from 2013 (6-10)
Top 20 Videos from 2013 (1-5)
Top 10 Videos from 2012
Top 10 Videos from 2011 (10-6)
Top 10 Videos from 2011 (5-1)

Grip Strength and Strongman Feat DVDs:

       

Or you can check out my complete catalog here: Complete Diesel Product Catalog

Winter Grip Fest

The next contest I’m promoting will be Winter Grip Fest and it will be a bit different from what I’vee done in the past.

You can download the entry form here: Winter Grip Fest entry form

EVENT BY EVENT RULES

Event #1 – Silver Bullet Hold

Each competitor will get 2 attempts. Men – 1st round #3, 2nd round #4. Women – 1st round #2, 2nd round #3. Juniors 1st round #T, second #1. Total time of both rounds are totaled for the score.

Event #2 – Two Hands Pinch

European Adjustable Pinch Device will be used. 4 attempts, rising bar. +/- 5lb jumps.

Event #3 – Pickaxe Lift

Max to the Front. 4 attempts, Rising Bar.

Event #4 – Bull Ring Hub Lift

Diesel Power Bull Rings will be used. If hands are 7.5″ or shorter, lifter will use 4″ Bull Ring. Hands 7.51″ or longer will use 5″ Bull Ring. Lifter may use both hands to set grip, upon starting lifting attempt, off-hand must be removed and implement must be approximately level.

Event #5 – Pinch Block Curl Hold for Time

The Diesel Power Pinch Block Curl will be used. Weights to be determined. Lifter will take one attempt per hand. Time begins when implement leaves ground, and time ends when it hits the ground or loses contact with the hand.

Event #6 – Reverse Bending Challenge

Reverse Style using 6″ length bars, nails, and bolts. Cordura, IMP, Battlefield, towels, suede wraps or combinations are permitted for wraps – must pass through a 1.5″ wooden hole. Rubber bands permitted. Must reach a 40-degree bend inside 30 seconds. 3 attempts

Event #7 – Inch Dumbbell for Height

Inch Dumbbell will be lifted on top of a platform in one movement, with no contact with the body. 4 attempts, rising bar platform.

Other events may be added by request BEFORE the 30-day window. Competitors must inquire with Jedd Johnson to schedule additional events.

All the best in your training,

Jedd

I used to hit the same exercise for the standard 3 or 4 sets, resting in between sets, and then I’d move on to the next exercise.

BORING.

While I got decent results from this, with all the rest time, my workouts were getting longer and longer.

Tack on some cardio at the end, and you find your workouts just keep on eating up more and more time.

Once my daughter was born, I felt the need to prune my workouts down, in order to be able to spend more time with her.

I found that grouping 2 or more exercises together allowed me to get just as much work done during my workouts, while saving me a whole bunch of time, and I even began seeing better results in the form of MORE MUSCLE and MORE FAT BURNED.

So, these days, my workouts pretty much always are comprised of exercise groupings, done in back-to-back fashion.

Call them Super Sets, Giant Sets, Circuits, Complexes, Medleys, call them whatever you want, for me, lifting like this is the way to consistently have awesome workouts and enjoy great results.

The Yoketober program is no different. It relies heavily on these exercise groupings in order to make the Yoke grow.

Here’s a sample of an exercise grouping from Yoketober, that I did the other day.

Deltoid Smasher Super Set

This 3-piece grouping is going to hit the deltoids from 3 different angles. In Yoketober, the deltoids are one of the main focal points for getting a wider upper torso, and casting a bigger shadow.

Also, here’s another 2-piece pairing that targets the biceps.

Back to Back Biceps Combination

This one isn’t from the Yoketober program, but it could be easily tacked onto the end of one of the Yoketober Yoke Days, if you’re craving a little extra biceps action.

In addition to the benefits I’ve seen as far as building muscle with these combos, I’ve also seen solid fat-burning results.

I credit this to the way these pairings so violently disturb your metabolism.

I equate this intense form of strength training to jumping rope or running sprints in the way the heart rate is escalated, and how long it takes to recover once training is done. Naturally, you’ve gotta eat right, if you want to cut up, but since I just can’t find the time to do cardio the last year or so, turning my isolation work into groupings is the way I’m going.

Now, I truly thought I was onto something with the way that I was pairing exercises together for the last few years.

Little did I know that Nick Nilsson was actually blowing me away in the intensity department.

I found out last week Nick has a product out that is packed with these combo’s, only he takes it up another notch or two.

His product is called Metabolic Monsters, and you’ve gotta see how he takes one single dumbbell and turns it into a one-piece torture device.

No wonder this particular complex is called the “Single Dumbbell Attack.”

I LOVE this kind of training, and I can’t wait to give the circuit he shows at the top of the page, and many more like it a try very soon.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Check Out Metabolic Monsters

EVENTS:

2.5″ Crusher – 4 Attempts for Max Lift – One Hand Tested

Anvil Hold for Time – 2 Attempts per Hand, time is combined

One Hand Pinch – 54mm – One Hand Tested

ENTRY FORM:

CLICK HERE

ENTRY FEE:

$35 for the Grip Contest;

WORLD SERIES OF GRIP

$5 for the World Series of Grip – Unlimited attempts to lift the Inch Dumbbell, Blob, 45lb Hub, #3 Gripper.

We’re staying with Paul Knight this weekend of the North American Grip Sport championship.

We did a little Grip stuff last night, and Paul repped out a 158-rated GHP #7.

We also did some speed bagging this morning, and we tried to see how fast we could get going, hitting it Rocky-style.

Be sure to subscribe to my channel. I’ll have more video with Paul Knight.

Thanks, and all the best in your training.

Jedd

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-

Win 1 of 5 Free DVD’s – Watch the Video Below

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How This DVD Will Help Your
Silver Bullet Performance:

• Produce Longer Hold Times on the Silver Bullet: By using the Loading Approach I use for Silver Bullet training, you’ll blow your old personal bests out of the water, next time you test your max or compete.
• Learn How to Get Stronger with Your Set: A bad set will waste a TON of energy before you even bite down on the Bullet. With these tips, you’ll be more efficient when setting the gripper, and you’ll have more energy in reserve for the hold.
• Improve Your Placement to Get Better Leverage: By making a handful of quick adjustments, you can easily add 5 to 10 seconds to your hold times in the very first workout – that’s how important set technique and gripper positioning are…
• Create Better, More Productive Silver Bullet Workouts: The days of doing the same, old, boring stuff are gone. The tips and tricks I show you will help you stay PUMPED UP and keep the gains coming.
• And Much More: Here is the actual DVD cover artwork, showing you chapter-by-chapter how this DVD is laid out. Get ready to ECLIPSE what you’ve done on the Silver Bullet in the past!

This past Thursday, Luke and I used Thick Bar Handles for just about everything on our Back Day, please we went pretty darn heavy, as well.

Here’s how the workout went:

Rolling Thunder Pull-ups with Weight Added – 3 sets of 3

Luke (203lbs) went with a 24-kg kettlebell added

Jedd (255lbs) went with 90lbs in plates added

I had to re-grip for all my 3rd reps. We also threw in some holds at the top of some of the reps.

Narrow Handle Thick Grip Pull-downs

We worked up to 305lbs and did 6 to 10 reps per set. These were extremely heavy, and resulted in some partial reps, as well as holds. We focused on controlling the weight, not throwing it.

Thick Handled Loadable Dumbbell Rows

I used a plate loadable handle with a 2.5″ grip. I started with 165lbs, then dropped it down to 150lbs.

Luke used the 120lb shot loadable dumbbell. Aimed for 5 reps per hand. We did 3 work sets.

Banded Straight Arm Lat Pulls

These might have a different name, but I’m drawing a blank. They hit your lats, teres major, posterior deltoids, rhomboids, and your glutes & hamstrings as well. They’re VICIOUS. 4 sets. 2 with black bands, 2 with purple bands.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

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Want to Explore Thick Bar Training?
Check Out the Inch Dumbbell DVD

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Here is some feedback from Sean Cashman on my Gripper training program, Cadence Based Training. CBT treats Gripper Training just like the powerlifts, the Bench, Squat and Dead, as you train to become not only as strong as possible, but as fast as possible, and convert every aspect of the Gripper Range of Motion from a weakness into an asset.

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Results from Cadence Based Training

I just finished the Cadence Based Training program so I thought I’d post up my results and brief thoughts.

1. I suck at grippers in general and have never been able to train them consistently or with any purpose. My 7.25” hands are not ideal especially with wider sets. But that’s what I wanted to focus on. So during the 8 weeks of this program I used a credit card set for everything.

2. This program gave me structure and I loved that. The fact that this program has you doing grippers twice per week was the key for me as it allowed me to continue to train multiple different aspects of general fitness.

3. I started out testing my baseline CC set week 1 and just missing a CoC #2 rated 103lb

4. After 8 weeks I finished out just missing a Ghp 5 rate 115lb and also slamming shut with ease the #2 rated 103lb and another #2 rated 109lb. So I am really happy. I know my set is still very rough but it is feeling more and more comfortable.

Here is my baseline attempt at the start of week 1

#2 rated 103

Here are the video’s of max test after 8 weeks

#2 rated 103

#2 rated 109

MISS on a Ghp 5 rated 115

Thanks Jedd! I really enjoyed the program. Might start a new cycle now based off of 115lb.

-Sean Cashman-

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Sean, awesome results. Thanks for sharing them!

As you can see, guys, Sean was able to go from missing on a 103lb rated #2 gripper to smashing it in 8 weeks. He also was able to equally easily smash his 109-lb rated #2.

You’ll also notice when you watch the videos, he doesn’t just “try to close” his grippers now, he attacks them, driving them to the closed position, instead of grinding through the range of motion.

Plus, he is only a fraction of an inch, maybe 1/16th, from closing that 115-lb GHP #5, which means, he probably increased his gripper strength by at least 10 lbs.

There’s people at Nationals who close just about the same gripper every single year who I’m sure would love to gain 10lbs of CRUSH strength in a year’s time, and Sean did it in just 2 months.

The bottom line is this: Cadence Based Training works.

And it’s not about extremely high volume.

Every single repetition you do serves a purpose.

Every session, you’re getting stronger where YOU need to, specifically.

Do you think you could handle a 10-lb increase in Gripper Strength?

Then pick up Cadence Based Training TODAY.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

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Get Serious with Your Gripper Training with CBT, TODAY!

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It’s been since January of 2004 since I set a regular Deadlift PR, when I lifted 545-lbs. 11+ years.

I was 26. I’m almost 37 now, so it’s been a lengthy drought, you might say…

2004 is when I started experiencing routine back injuries that would sideline me for days or even a week at a time.

Unfortunately, my young, idiotic brain, just wanted to keep pushing harder and harder, and that meant the pain I’d experience would get worse and worse.

I’d hobble around for a week after my Strongman contests.

I’d literally limp through the hallway at my old job, after hard weekend workouts involving Deadlifts and Squats.

Finally, in 2008, I think, I had enough.

Since Squats and Deadlifts were so bad for me, I decided I wouldn’t do them anymore.

From 2008 until 2012, I rarely did heavy Deadlifts or Squats.

Of course, I continued to do Axle Deadlifts, because it’s a staple in Grip Sport competition, and I’d dabble every now and again with Squats and Deads, but never got back into them seriously until June of 2013, when I decided I was finally ready health-wise to get back under the bar and pull some weight off the floor.

For Squats, I literally started with the bar, hitting sets of 10. That’s how much I lacked confidence and stability.

For Deadlifts, I decided I’d guard my back by only doing Double Overhand grip (I was afraid of tearing a biceps anyway).

The Coan Philippi Deadlift Program

This Summer, I decided I was ready to finally train the Deadlift with some conviction, and I started a run through the Coan Philippi Deadlift Program.

I gotta say, it was AWESOME to push myself on Deadlifts! It was the first time I’d EVER followed a Deadlift Program in my life.

When you start the Coan Philippi program, it asks you for your starting max and your goal max at the end of 10 weeks, and then it computes everything for you.

I stayed a bit conservative and put in a 500-lb Max to begin with and a 550-lb Max for the end. My partner, Luke Raymond, started out with the same numbers, and it worked out really easy training with him, because we didn’t have to change the weights around at all.

The weights at the beginning of the program were super light, so Luke and I started on week 3 or 4. Everything went smooth until like Week 7. That’s when the volume caught up with me.

I struggled through to Week 9, when I hit 535-lbs, but my body just wouldn’t cooperate with me for Week 10, and I decided against going for a new PR on 3 separate Saturdays, until this past week.

The conditions still weren’t optimal, as I was up at 2AM to take my parents to the airport, and I trained at 5:30AM with my buddy, Brad Martin, but my back felt fully recovered after the 3-week layoff from heavy work, so I went ahead with the Week 10 plan.

And, I’m happy to say I was successful in my 550-lb lift, with potential for probably a few pounds more, although I didn’t push it.

Here’s the video:

Jedd Johnson All-Time PR Deadlift – 550lbs

What an awesome sensation, to FINALLY feel somewhat strong again.

Thankfully, after staying patient, working back slowly, and using my brain instead of my ego, I have been able to break one of my longest standing PR’s.

I must also say, I LOVE the Coan Philippi Program. It made me feel like a monster, and sometime this Fall, I plan on running through it again, once Luke’s schedule evens back out and we get train it together again.

Look for more updates, especially on my YouTube Channel, once I start the program up again.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

As you know, I rate a lot of grippers.

Gripper junkies send me their grippers and I measure how strong they are by using a device called an RGC.

This has become the standard for getting a direct strength comparison between grippers from different companies.

However, there’s one variable that the RGC is incapable of factoring in, and that is the gripper knurling quality.

Maybe you’ve noticed that the knurling on the gripper handle varies from one company to the next?

For instance, Beef Builder knurling is usually very rough, COC knurling is of a good, middle-of-the-road level, and then Heavy Grips grippers feel very smooth.

Knurling can make a BIG difference in how good of a grip you can get on the handles and how far you can come from closing the gripper.

Here’s an example…

I was working on my Credit Card Set strength with my left hand last night and was smashing my 129-rated BBSM.

But, when I dropped down to my 128 and 127 rated grippers, I was missing by about 3 to 5 millimeters.

So, why would I be able to DOMINATE a 129-rated gripper and then miss on other grippers that are slightly lighter?

The biggest factor was the knurling.

The 129-rated BBSM has knurling that literally feels like you could grate a block of cheese with it.

The lighter grippers, however, came with naturally less-aggressive knurling on them.

PLUS, on top of that, these grippers have been in my collection for nearly 10 years, and I used to be REALLY HARD ON MY GRIPPERS.

I didn’t take care of them at all, and would just throw them in my gym bag or chalk bucket and they would bounce around and bang into one another.

As a result, from all that abuse, the handle knurling has been beaten down to almost nothing and as a result, I can get nearly as good of a grip on the handles of my older grippers.

Since my left hand really STINKS at Credit Card Set training, since that range of 125 to 130lbs is near my limit, I often fail on grippers with beaten-down knurling.

So, I encourage you to take care of your grippers.

These days, I am OBSESSIVE about my knurling condition.

Keep them in good shape, so you aren’t dealing with basically bald grippers, like I do on a daily basis.

If you need more help with your gripper training, check out these resources:

1. CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination:
This Video covers everything you need to know regarding gripper training technique, as well as drills, tactics and strategies to help you with your gripper training.

2. Cadence Based Training:
This ebook is my gripper training program that I devised over the span of a couple years and has helped me consistently improve my performance every year since implementing it.

3. Operation: Gripper Certification:
This video focuses on the intricacies of the credit card set, the technique that is required for certification with the IronMind Captains of Crush grippers.

These 3 resources are must-haves IF you’re serious about grippers.

If you just dabble, and don’t really care about closing bigger grippers, then these products are not necessary.

Get what you need for your specific goals, TODAY.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

P.S. Here’s the links for those KEY gripper training resources:

1. CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination

2. Cadence Based Training

3. Operation: Gripper Certification

Growing up with a steady feed of wrestling during my younger years, I always wanted to build up my own big set of arms.

I grew up with guys like Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, the Warlord, the Barbarian, Jimmy Snuka, and other wrestlers who were JACKED beyond belief. So I wanted to be big and muscular, too, with a THICK set of arms.

Unfortunately, I had no weights as a youngster and I was actually kind of lazy in high school, so I didn’t have much chance of building big arms until I was in college, playing baseball at Mansfield University.

That was when I met Scott Costa.

Scott was another one of the first-basemen on the team, and the first day of practice, I was instantly impressed with his muscular development. I had only ever met one dude in real life, before that who was actually muscular.

As a fan of weight training with no idea how to get started, I really looked up to him because I could tell he worked hard and knew what he was doing.

He was also a pretty funny dude. “Look at these aesthetics, Johnson. Aesthetics.”

I didn’t even know what that word meant at the time. All I knew is I wanted to build arms like his…

Once I started lifting, I was always serious about my arm training.

I never made it a habit to miss or skip arm workouts and took my training seriously, even though some people don’t even bother training arms, for whatever reason.

But last year, I decided to raise the intensity up a notch.

I was driving in the car on the way back from New Jersey with my long-time friend in lifting, Brad Martin, and we came up with the idea of training arms every day during the month of August. I’d first seen Dave Depew doing daily arm training, and after I saw his awesome results, I decided I wanted to try it.

So, I started posting about “August of Arms” here on the site, out on Facebook, and on some other forums and websites. Before I knew it, other people were joining in as well.

So, during August of 2014, I trained Arms every single day and I was very happy with the results. I added about an inch to each arm, going from right around 18 to right around 19 inches. I heard from several others who said they saw good gains as well.

But the other thing I kept hearing a lot of was the fact that people wanted a program to follow. Some people felt like they were wandering around aimlessly without some guidance. Some were adding stuff in at the end of the workout and getting tired of the same old stuff. Others felt like they could have gotten better results with more of a plan.

That kind of feedback came to me enough times that I decided I would put something together for August of Arms 2015.

So, for the majority of July, I have been working hard to put together an awesome month of training for you.

August of Arms contains 31 workouts, one for each day of the month of August, to help you both increase your arm size as well as your strength.

While being big has always been an interest of mine, I always liked the idea of building strength along with it too.

And since some people got tired of plugging the same handful of exercises into the end of their workouts last year, I made sure to mix things up this year, adding 69 different exercises into the program.

There’s even more great stuff I packed into the program. If you want to find out more about it, and especially if you want to add Noticeable Mass to your arms this August, be sure to get August of Arms.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

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What’s up, DIESELS!

Several years ago, I set up an on-line shop through a site called Printfection and began selling Diesel Crew tee shirts.

I got a note recently that Printfection is shutting down at the end of July, so I thought I’d let you know that pretty soon a lot of these shirts are never going to be available again.

The artwork guy that did the designs either passed away or no longer has web service because I haven’t heard a peep from him since 2012.

Because of that, I don’t have access to the original artwork, so I can’t replicate the designs.

I invite you to grab one of these shirts, while you can. Some of the designs were pretty darn cool!

Here’s the link to the Diesel Crew Printfection Store:

http://www.printfection.com/dieselcrew/

All the best in your training,

Jedd

This past weekend was “Nationals,” the North American Grip Sport Championship.

If you’re not familiar, the way Nationals works is you must qualify via 1 of several ways.

One way is based on your finish in a sanctioned contest. Generally, top 3 in your class will get you qualified.

Another way is by breaking a long-standing record, such as a bodyweight record for certain lifts, or by breaking a World Record in other lifts.

Still, another way is to certify on highly recognized 3rd party feats of strength, such as the IronMind #3 Gripper or Red Nail.

Finally, if you can qualify one year, and you go to the NAGS Championship and compete, then you’ll be qualified for the next year.

Various contests take place all over the United States and Canada throughout the year, and competitors qualify at every single contest, for the chance to compete at Nationals, the biggest and most prestigious competition all year long.

In 2014, I was lucky enough to win the overall competition. The events were good for me, and I trained them hard, and it resulted in a strong win over top competition.

This year, the events were a bit different. They were events that I was OK in, but the mix wasn’t anywhere near as strong for me in 2014, so I knew I had my work cut out for me.

Going in, I knew my main competition would be Andrew Durniat and Kody Burns. Andrew and I have been battling it out in Grip Sport since 2008, and Kody has proven to be extremely talented in all forms of grip in the last few years.

Grippers

I knew going in that Grippers would be strong for me. I have been closing my 170-rated Tetting 7 on a regular basis in training. I’ve done it before, but more sporadically.

The grippers used at Nationals are only used at Nationals. They were first used in 2014, so the 2015 contest was only the 2nd time they’ve ever been out of a shipping box.

Last year, I managed a 155 Left and a 170 Right. This year, I PR’d on both hands with a 160 Left and a 180 Right. I believe this makes me only the third or fourth person to ever close a Top Row gripper. There are three rows of grippers on the table, and 180 begins the top row. It’s a strange feeling being able to say that, as I have never been crazy strong on grippers.

Right Hand Grippers

Left Hand Grippers

Two Hands Pinch

What was once my best event that would be a sure overall win for me has turned into a nightmare. Training for this event went straight into the toilet mid-way through April for unknown reasons. In April, I had lifted an all-time training PR of 258lbs and broke 260 off the ground. Then, the next workout it was like I had no idea what I was doing.

I was able to get 235 fairly easy on my 2nd attempt, but 245 laughed in my face in my 3rd and 4th attempts. It would have been really nice to get those points, but I ended up just an inch or so shy on my 3rd lift and less than an inch on my 4th lift.

Kody Burns hit a successful lift of 254. This was the first time I’ve been beaten on 2 Hand Pinch in a contest since 2005, when Chad Woodall beat me at the Global Grip Challenge.

Double Overhand Axle

In contrast from Pinch, my Axle had been super strong throughout April and May. I was lifting 393 for multiple singles and some doubles in May. I just recently hit my first ever lifts of 400lbs on the Axle at the New York Grip Throwdown in April, so I figured this year would be the year I finally got 400lbs in competition at Nationals as well.

Unfortunately, I didn’t quite get legal lifts. I got them very close to Lockout, but didn’t have enough control over the bar to get good calls. Close but no cigar.

Wrist Roller

The Wrist Roller this year involved an elevating lift arm and a sled drag. I feel like I prepared very well for this event, as I cut my time down to a third of what it was in March when I tried it at Andrew’s gym in March. I got a little over 10 seconds.

Medley

Going into the Medley, I was sitting in 2nd Place. I didn’t know how far behind I was of the Leader, Kody Burns, though. I knew I beat him in Grippers, and that he had beaten me in Pinch, Axle, and Wrist Roller, so for all I knew I was down 3 to 5 points.

I didn’t worry about the deficit I was facing. Instead, I just focused on seeing each one of the implements coming up when it was my turn to make my run.

The way the Medley worked was there were two rows of 12 implements. One row was lighter, one row was heavier. If you completed the lighter implement, you got half a point. If you got the heavier implement, you got 1 point. You could try the harder one, and if you missed, you could go do the lighter one, but you would only get points for the heavier variation. So, the best possible score was 12 points.

I honestly thought I was going to Stack the whole Medley, except for the Sledge Lever to the Face. I figured I would run out of time to even try it, so my goal was 11 points.

To my surprise, the Saxon Bar loaded to 205lbs was EXTREMELY tough. The finish was very slick and chalk would not stick to it, so NOBODY ended up getting it.

Also, the Sorinex Anvil proved too heavy for me. I got it an inch off the floor, but nowhere near lockout. In both cases of the Saxon Bar and the Anvil, I had to go to the lighter versions and settle for half a point each.

Additionally, the adrenaline must have given me a kick, because I shot through the entire Medley and had time to try the Hammer Lever, and I completed it. So, that gave me 10 of the 1-point feats and 2 of the half-point feats, for a total of 11 points, exactly the total that I wanted.

The scores must have been closer that I anticipated, because the 11 points was enough to allow me to inch my way past Kody Burns in the Final Standings, and I was elated to learn that I had won the Overall competition.

With this victory, it makes my 3rd consecutive Division Champion and 2nd consecutive Overall Champion. I honestly couldn’t believe it.

I am beyond thankful to God for my health and my ability to stay focused. In past contests, my disappointing finishes in the Pinch and Axle would have resulted in a great deal of anger, but this year I was able to remain focused.

I am thankful to my wife, Delraine, and my family for supporting me in my endeavors in Grip Sport.

I am so thankful to have a great partner like Luke Raymond who trains his butt off every bit as hard as I do and truly pushes me to be better.

I thank my other training partner, Mark Gannon, who pushes me hard on Friday mornings and lets me work a little thick bar into the sessions, even though it eats up some time and makes me grumpy to train with.

I sent a note to my parents who have supported me in athletics since I was a child and these days listen to my Grip stories with the same attention they used to listen to my baseball and basketball reports.

I sent out thanks to my massage therapist, Rachelle and my chiropractor, Dr. Napp for helping to keep me healthy throughout the year and especially the last few weeks.

And I want to thank all of you in the Diesel Universe for all the continued support over the years.

I couldn’t have done this without any of you. Thank you.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Many have asked me what’s next for me. The primary goal is to lean up a bit. I have already made some modifications to my diet and added back in morning and lunch-time cardio sessions. If you’re interested in taking off a few lbs, check out Napalm Fat Burning. That program covers exactly the kind of stuff I’ll be doing in the next few weeks leading up to my August family vacation to the beach!

Question for you – –

How bad do YOU want to win?

How bad do YOU want to accomplish your goals?

Do you want it THIS BAD?

Read on…

As I was cruising Facebook last night, weaving back and forth between the nonsense about Tom Brady’s deflated balls and the lies about Bin Laden’s death, I found this gem, from my friend, Jared Fleming.

He said:

“So proud and inspired by my girl and her AMAZING performance at the USA Wrestling National Championships this weekend!!

Veronica showed more heart and internal motivation to win than I have ever seen in another person.

During her 4th match she broke her arm and tore ligaments… To the point you could see her arm was actually deformed.

She came back with 2 minutes left on the clock and WON the match with a broken arm and took 3rd place overall!!“

Can you believe that?

I actually had trouble getting to sleep last night because of this…

It inspired me so much, I got an adrenaline rush and wanted to train, but it was bed time.

I gotta get my beauty sleep, brotherrrrr!

Man, DIESELS, I hope this fires you up today.

I hope it motivates you to take your training up a notch.

It should make you want your goals even more.

Imagine having to finish a wrestling match with a broken arm.

No, not having to.

I’m sure nobody told Veronica she HAD to go out and finish the match.

She did that because of her burning desire for competition and savage hunger for excellence.

Let’s take a bite out of that today and apply it to our life, our work, our family, and our training.

What do you say?

Jedd

Gripper Guys and Gals: If your goal is to become a Captain of Crush, you need to know the specifics for Wide Set Specialization Training: Operation – Gripper Certification

Free Copy of the New DVD – Operation: Gripper Certification?

If you didn’t win, here’s where to pick up your copy:
Operation: Gripper Certification

Welcome to the Diesel Directory, Brother

This is the DieselCrew.com site directory. It has all the posts added from 2008 to 2011. The purpose is to help you find the exact information you’re looking for.

All the posts are arranged by topic, so that should help you out big time. For even quicker search abilities, hit the “Ctrl” Button and the letter “F” at the same time, to bring up a search window. You can then type in the term you are looking for, and it will help you find that specific word.

I still have several years’ worth of posts to go through, and I will make sure you know every time updates are made. Please be sure to add your email address so you know when this page is updated, as well as anytime new posts and videos are added to the site.

Get Email Notification
When The Diesel Directory is Updated

Grip Strength

Grippers / Crush Grip Training

• Article: How to Train with Grippers
• Top 10 Gripper Training Mistakes
• Vulcan Gripper in the United States
• The Vulcan Gripper
• Video: How to Set a Gripper
• Common Gripper Training Questions – Answered
• Feats of Grip: Blob Face Transfer and Vulcan Level 12 Close
• Rope Training and the Dynamometer
• Crushing Grip Strength & Wrist Stability: The Kettlebell Bottoms Up Press

Pinch Grip Training – Two Hands Pinch – “2HP”

• The Texas Boys’ Pimped Out Euro Pinch
• Two Hands Pinch World Record – 120kgs – First to 120kg
• Video: Two Hands Pinch Rep Training
• Grip Strength Challenge – Two Hands Pinch for Max
• Two Hands Pinch World Records Trades Hands 3 Times in One Day

Pinch Grip Training – Blobs & Block Weights

• What is the Blob? Different Types of Blobs
• First Time Lifting the Blob by the Face
• The Simplest Form of Block Weight Training – Inverted Dumbbell Training
• Block Weights – The Fatman Clone
• Block Weights – The Iron Grip Monster
• Block Weights – My Block Weight COllection
• Odd Object & Blob Lift Combo Feat – Shouldered Keg + Blob Lift
• Blob Handle Dimensions – Blob Snatch
• Block Weight Training: The Glob
• Blob + Inch Dumbbell Farmer’s Walks

Pinch Grip Training – Plate Pinching

• Grip Strength Challenge – Plate Hula for Grip Strength
• Article: Dynamic Pinch Training – Plate Pinch Swings
• Two Hands Pinch – 2-45’s Hold for Time
• Grip Strength Challenge – 2-45’s Hold for Time
• Increase Thumb Strength: Plate Hula

Pinch Grip Training: Hub Lifting

• Article: Pinch Grip Hub Lifting Tools and Methods
• Grip Strength Challenge: Hub Lift for Thumb Strength
• Grip Strength Challenge – Hub Lift Submissions

Thick Bar / Fat Bar Training (Open Hand): Inch Dumbbell

• Monster Grip Feat: Flipping 95-lb Kettlebell While Holding Inch Dumbbell
• My First Ever Double Inch Farmer’s Walk
• Continued Progress with Double Inch Farmer’s Walk
• Two Inch Dumbbell Deadlift
• Article: Training for Strength with the Inch Dumbbell
• Home Made Equipment to Help You Lift the Inch Dumbbell
• Killer Goblet Squats: Squatting with the Inch Dumbbell
• Developing Grip Strength – Thick Bar Training Methods
• Blob and Inch Dumbbell Farmers Walk

Thick Bar / Fat Bar Training (Open Hand): Rolling Thunder

• Developing Grip Strength – Thick Bar Training Methods
• Blob and Inch Dumbbell Farmers Walk

Thick Bar / Fat Bar Training (Open Hand): Axle Training (Thick Barbell Lifting)

Thick Bar / Fat Bar Training (Open Hand): Other Training Implements & Methods

• Porno Thumbs and Banana Fingers
• Two Inch Vertical Bar Training
• Team Grip Strength Training for Strength Coaches
• Thick Bar Training Methods
• Building Grip Strength: Myths and Methds Explained

Wrist Strength Training

• Sledge Hammer Swinging Charity Event
• Wrist Strength – Plate Curl Videos
• Wrist Strength – Plate Curl Demonstratiion
• Sledge Hammer Deadlift Challenge
• Sledge Hammer Deadlift Videos
• Slim Lever Videos
• Wrist Strength: How to Do Stool Lifting
• Wrist Strength: Stool Lifting Videos
• Wrist Strength: Sledge Hammer Levering
• Vertical Sledge Lever for Wrist Strength
• Plate Curls for Wrist Strength (Videos)
• Diesel Grip Strength Challenge Plate Curl
• Home Made Strength: Quick & Easy Wrist Roller
• Crushing Grip Strength & Wrist Stability: The Kettlebell Bottoms Up Press

The Grip Authority

• Customer Feedback: The Grip Authority – Grip Training Instructional Site

Grip Togethers

• Diesel Classic Video: Day of Strength 2004

Grip Contests

• Gripmas Carol 2011
• Next Contest: Gripmas Carol 2011
• Worlds Strongest Hands 2011
• Feats after World’s Strongest Hands 2011
• World’s Strongest Hands 2011 – Leg 3
• World’s Strongest Hands 2011 – Leg 2
• Canadian National Hand Strength Challenge
• World’s Strongest Hands 2011 Leg 2 Announcement
• World’s Strongest Hands 2011Announcement
• North American Grip Sport National Championship Write-up
• NAGS 2011 Sponsors
• Sorinex Summer Strong 2011 Part 3
• Sorenex Summer Strong 2011 Part 2
• Sorinex Summer Strong 2011 Part 1
• Wild Card Qualifier for Nationals 2011
• Upcoming Grip Contests 2011
• Beast in the East Steel Bending Championship
• NAGS Championship 2011 Announcement
• Two Hands Pinch Record Changes Hands 3 Times in One Day
• World’s Strongest Hands 2010 Leg 3 Results
• World’s Strongest Hands 2010 Leg 3 Announcement
• World’s Strongest Hands 2010
• Grip Sport National Championship 2010 Write-up
• Grip Sport National Championship 2010 Announcement

Rope Training

• Rope Training and the Dynamometer
• Diesel Grip Strength Challenge: Rope Pull-ups

Sandbag Training

• Building Grip Strength: Myths and Methds Explained

Support Grip

• How to Improve Your Grip for the Deadlift – True Support Grip
• One Hand Deadlift – Submissions
• How to Do the One Hand Deadlift
• Barbell Snatch Submissions
• How to Perform the One Hand Deadlift
• Hang from Bar for Grip Strength and Endurance
• Article: How to Do the Farmer’s Walk

Miscellaneous Grip

• Guest Post: Grip Training for Track and Field Throwers by Matthew Ellis
• Grip Medley Challenge Videos
• Article: Challenge Your Hand Strength: Grip Strength Medley
• Open Hand Grip Strength Using Ropes and Towels
• Kettlebells for Grip Strength: Bottoms Up KB Press
• Article: Got a Strong Grip? The Barbell Snatch
• Articlee: Bi-Polar Strength Training
• Sledge Hammer Finger Walks for General Hand Strength
• Towel Pull-ups for Grip Strength
• Article; Thick Bar Training – Grapple Grips
• Sledge Hammer Finger Walks
• Why You Should Train Your Grip
• Grip Training for Basketball Players
• Grip Training Finishers – Dessert for Your Workout
• North American Grip Sport
• Strength Training Goals and Updates

Diesel Crew Grip Strength Challenge

• Diesel Crew Grip Challenge: Inverted Gripper Training Submissions
• Diesel Crew Grip Challenge: Inverted Gripper Closes
• Diesel Crew Grip Challenge: Gripper Wild Card Submissions
• Diesel Crew Grip Challenge: Block Set Grippers
• Diesel Crew Grip Challenge – Week 6 and 7
• Grip Medley Challenge Videos
• Article: Challenge Your Hand Strength: Grip Strength Medley
• Diesel Grip Challenge: Inverted Dumbbell Claw Lifting
• Kettlebells for Grip Strength: Bottoms Up KB Press
• Article: Got a Strong Grip? The Barbell Snatch
• Introducing the Diesel Grip Strength Challenge
• Grip Strength Challenge 4 Tens Pinch
• Grip Strength Challenge Pinch 2-25lb Plates
• Grip Strength Challenge: 2-25’s Pinch Submissions
• Grip Strength Challenge 4 Tens Pinch
• Two Hands Pinch – 2-45’s Hold for Time
• Grip Strength Challenge – 2-45’s Hold for Tiime
• Grip Strength Challenge – Two Hands Pinch for Max
• Grip Strength Challenge – Plate Hula for Grip Strength
• Diesel Grip Strength Challenge: Rope Pull-ups
• One Hand Deadlift – Submissions
• How to Do the One Hand Deadlift
• Grip Strength Challenge: Hub Lift for Thumb Strength
• Grip Strength Challenge – Hub Lift Submissions
• Wrist Strength – Plate Curl Videos
• Wrist Strength – Plate Curl Demonstratiion
• Sledge Hammer Deadlift Challenge
• Sledge Hammer Deadlift Videos
• Slim Lever Videos
• Wrist Strength: How to Do Stool Lifting
• Wrist Strength: Stool Lifting Videos
• Wrist Strength: Sledge Hammer Levering
• Vertical Sledge Lever for Wrist Strength
• Plate Curls for Wrist Strength (Videos)
• Diesel Grip Strength Challenge Plate Curl
• Home Made Strength: Quick & Easy Wrist Roller
• Crushing Grip Strength & Wrist Stability: The Kettlebell Bottoms Up Press
• Sledge Hammer Finger Walks
• One Hand Snatch Videos
• Grip Strength Challenge: Horseshoe bending Tournament
• Crazy Ways to Bend Nails
• Grip Strength Challenge: The Zottman Curl
• One Hand Deadlift Voting
• Bar Hang Grip Challenge Submissions
• One Hand Deadlift Voting
• Classic Feats of Strength Tournament
• Classic Strongman Feats Tournament Week 5
• Phone Book Tearing Submissions
• Phone Book Tearing
• Classic Feats Card Tearing
• Cassic Strongman Feats Week 2
• One Hand Snatch Submissions
• Weekly Grip Strength Challenge

Feats of Strength

Braced Bending

Horseshoe bending

• Article: What Do You Need for Horseshoe Bending
• Horseshoe bending Tournament
• Horseshoe Bending DVD Contest
• Horseshoe Bending DVD Feedback
• Horseshoe Bending DVD: Hammering Horseshoes
• Article: What Sets Horseshoe Bending Apart from Other Feats of Strength
• Hammering Horseshoes Coming Soon
• Upcoming Product: Hammering Horseshoes DVD with Mike Rinderle

Nail / Short Non-braced Bending

• August – Classic Feats of Strength Month
• Steel Bending in Action
• Crazy Ways to Bend Nails
• Customer Feedback: Nail Bending DVD
• WHy You Should Buy the Nail Bending DVD
• Beginner Steel Bending Program
• Article: How to Improve Nail Bending Technique
• Testimonial: Nail Bending DVD
• It’s Time to Melt Steel Like Thermite
• Nail Bending DVD Contest Announced
• Nail Bending DVD COntet
• Nail Bending DVD Update
• Get Ready to Melt Steel
• Guest Post: A Beginner’s Journey Into Nail Bending by Carl Donati, Jr

Miscellaneous Feats

• Article: How to Break Chain Like an Oldtime Strongman
• Rolling Frying Pans and Managing Radiant Tension

Muscle Building & Fitness

Overall

• Article: Exercise Selection for Muscle Building
• 3 Keys to Building Muscle the Right Way
• Vince Gironda Upper Body Muscle Building Workout
• Advanced Abdominal Training
• Build Muscle and Burn Off Fat for Health
• Guest Post: Powering Up Your Plank
• Workouts for People Limited on Time

Nutrition and Fat Loss

• Smart Nutritional Practices for Athletes
• How to Get Lean with Strength Based Cardio
• Lose Fat, Build Muscle Guest Post

Legs

• 7 Single Leg Variations & Why You Should Do Them
• Extreme Hamstring Training

Back

• Full Body Tension Training for Building the Upper Back
• How to Do Rows for a Bigger Stronger Back
• Row Variations for a Bigger Back and Monster Grip

Chest

• Vince Gironda Upper Body Muscle Building Workout

Arms & Shoulders

• Blow Up Your Biceps with This Rope FInisher
• Heavy Dumbbell Curls for Bigger Biceps
• How to Perform Zottman Curls
• Workout: Monster Shoulders with Rope Training
• Workout: Big Arm Workout

Warm-up, Injury Prevention, Mobility, and Healing

• Article: How to Prevent and Heal Forearm Injuries
• Article: How to Improve Knee Stability
• Article: Foam Rolling for Grip Athletes
• Discussion: Are Foam Rollers Crap?
• Article: Warm-up – Waking Up the CNS
• Article: 5 Minutes to Shoulder Mobility
• Article: 20 Warm-up Progressions
• Article: Preparing for Max Effort Attempts
• Article: Mobility Exercises for Lower Body
• Article: Fixing Elbow Pain – The New R.I.C.E.
• Article: 3 Fast Upper Body Warm-ups
• Article: Essential Hip Mobility Movements

Strength Training – Powerlifting

Bench

Squat

• Killer Goblet Squats: Squatting with the Inch Dumbbell
• Powerful Lower Body Domination for Explosive Athletes
• Explosive Lower Body Training for Strength and Power

Deadlift

• Article: How to Improve Your Deadlift Grip

Unconventional Training & Odd Objects

Mace and Club Swinging

• Build Grip Strength with the Stronger Grip Mace
• Article: Mace Swinging Methods and Techniques
• Article: How to Perform Mace Swinging

Bodyweight Training

• Article: How to Train for a One Arm Pull-up

Strongman

• Article: Beginner Atlas Stone Training
• Interview: Strongman Training for Athletes with Chris Miller
• Article: How to Make Atlas Stones
• Article: Atlas Stone Training for Beginners
• Customer Feedback: Intro to Strongman DVD
• Feedback: Introduction to Strongman DVD
• Strongman Training Hands-on Workshop
• Beginner Strongman Training DVD
• Article: Strongman Training for the Average Guy
• Article: Olympic Lift & Stone Lifting Similarities
• Article: How to Do the Farmer’s Walk
• Article: The Husafell Stone Challenge
• Article: Beginner Odd Object Training
• Strongman WorkoutSession: Training with Rick Walker
• Article: Medley Training for Serious Athletes
• Article: The Strongest Strength Coach – Benefits of Strongman Training
• Article: How to Train for the Fingal Fingers

Highland Games

• Article: The Scottish Highland Games
• Article: How to Train the Husafell Stone

Kettlebell Training

• Monster Grip: Fliping a 95-lb Kettlebell While Holding the Inch Dumbbell
• Crushing Grip Strength & Wrist Stability: The Kettlebell Bottoms Up Press
• Grip Training Using Kettlebells
• RKC Board of Advisors
• Increasing Your Kettlebell Press
• Kettlebell Snatch DOmination DVD Set
• Kettlebell Training DVD: Jordan Vezina – The Corrections
• Kettlebell Training for Grip Strength
• How to Pass the RKC Certification – Russian Kettlebell Challenge
• Kettlebell Conditioning: RKC 5 Minute Kettlebell Snatch Test
• RKC Snatch Test Update
• Training for the RKC Kettlebell Snatch Test
• Training for the RKC Snatch Test
• Killer Goblet Squats: Squatting with the Inch Dumbbell

Strength Training for Sports

Strength Training for Baseball

• Smart Nutritional Practices for Athletes

Overall Strength, Power, Speed, and Conditioning

• Article: Explosive Power Training for Athletes
• Article: Improving Overhead Press
• Article: How to Increase Vertical Jump
• Road Trip: USA Powerlifting Competition
• Article: The Strongest Strength Coach – Benefits of Strongman Training
• Article: How to Train for the Fingal Fingers
• Article: Time Management – Strength Training with Limited Time
• Article: Killer Conditioning with Sleds and Prowlers
• Article: Mace Swinging Methods and Techniques
• Article: How to Perform Mace Swinging
• Article: Best Strength Training Exercises for Baseball
• Article: How to Train for a One Arm Pull-up
• Article: benefits of Cold Weather Training
• Aerticle: Hardest Core Exercise Part II
• Article: Improving Leg Drive for Athletic Power
• Article: Slosh Sled Dragging for Functional Strength
• Article: Extreme Hamstring Training
• Diesel Crew Compilation 2009 – 2010
• Article: Lower Body Training for Explosive Athletes
• Innovative Sled Dragging Techniques
• Article: Burpee Modifications for Athletes
• Article: Developing Pressing Power for Athletes
• Article: Lower Body Strength Training Secrets
• Article: Neck Training for Athletes
• Article: High Intensity Metabolic Training with the Prowler
• Article: Reactive Speed Training for Athletes
• Article: Hardest Core Training Exercise Ever
• Article: Metabolic Core Training for Conditioning
• Article: Intense Upper Body Training
• Article: Explosive Medicine Ball Training for Speed and Power Development
• Article: Killer Strength Endurance Challenge Workout
• Article: Medley Training for Combat Athletes
• Article: HIIT Circuits for MMA Athletes
• Article: More Medley Training for Strength Athletes

Diesel Crew Miscellaneous

Clinics and Seminars

• Seminar Report: Slippery Rock Strength Clinic
• Upcoming Strength Training Seminars (2011)

Product Reviews & Customer Feedback

• CRUSH DVD Customer Feedback
• CRUSH DVD Contest Winner
• CRUSH DVD 24-hour Contest
• New Gripper DVD – CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination
• Gripper Training DVD
• Road to the Record DVD Feedback
• Customer Feedback: The Grip Authority – Grip Training Instructional Site
• Customer Feedback: Intro to Strongman DVD
• Home Made Strength 2 Testimonial
• Horseshoe Bending DVD Feedback
• Testimonial: Nail Bending DVD
• Customer Feedback: Intro to Strongman DVD
• Feedback: Introduction to Strongman DVD
• Feedback on Card Tearing eBook
• Testimonial: Ultimate Forearm Training for Baseball

Psychology and Mental Edge

• Diesel Mindset: Misses Are Just Warm-ups
• Diesel Mindset: Small Victories
• Cold Weather Training
• Diesel Mindset: The Champion
• Article: Dealing With Failure
• Story: Why We Lift – Strength When It Matters Most
• Benefits of Cold Weather Training
• Heavy Prowler Training for Mental Strength
• Haters Gonna Hate
• Do You Want Success as Bad as You Want to Breathe?
• Never Quit – No Regrets

Diesel Apparel

• Diesel Beanies and Shirts
• Halloween Grip Shirts
• Diesel Crew Steel Bending Shirt
• Diesel Crew Misses Are Just Warm-ups Shirt
• Diesel Beanies
• Youngster Rocking the Diesel Gripmas Shirt
• Product Review: The Bison 1M
• Diesel Crew Gripmas Tee Shirt
• Diesel Horned Skull Tees

Homemade Equipment

• Guest Article: How to Build a Loading Pin
• Grip Strength Challenge: Home Made Strength Challenge Announcement & Description
• Grip Strength Challenge: Home Made Strength Challenge Subsmissions
• Home Made Strength 2 DVD: Grip Strength Edition
• Feedback: Home Made Strength 2 – Grip Strength Edition
• Home Made Strength 2 – Grip Strength Edition – Coming Soon
• Home Made Equipment to Help You Lift the Inch Dumbbell
• Home Made Wrist Roller
• What is the Best Strength Training Equipment?

Athlete Interviews and Stories

• Interview: Adrien (Blewitt) Wilson – Highland Games Competitor, Track Thrower, First Certified Women’s Captain of Crush
• Feature: Brian Shaw – World’s Strongest Man
• Dedication and Longevity: Derek Jeter Gets 3000 Hits
• Story: Go for the Win – Heather Dorniden
• Interview: Mike Fitch – Global Bodyweight Training
• Grip Sport News Story – Elmira New Station Visits Jedd
• Interview: Joe Hashey – Synergy Athletics
• The Strongest Strength Coach Competition
• Diesel Iron Masters – Slim “The Hammer Man” Farman
• Videos: Slim “The Hammer Man” Farman & The Mighty Atom – Iducted into York Barbell Hall of Fame
• Dennis Rogers and Pat Povilaitis Bending Steel at the Arnold Classic
• Diesel Crew Iron Master – Nick McKinless
• Stainless Steel YouTube Videos
• Jedd Johnson’s YouTube Channel
• Diesel Crew Iron Master – Dennis Rogers
• RIP Jack Lalanne
• Diesel Iron Master – Richard Sorin
• Training with Phil Pfister, World’s Strongest Man
• Diesel Iron Master – Bruce Eckrote 2
• Diesel Iron Master – LTC Nathan Acree
• Diesel Iron Master – Graham Bartholemew

The Next Grip Strength Competition will take place on February 7th, and I am designing it to be very welcoming to new competitors.

Grip Hogs Day

DATE: February 7th, 2015
ENTRY FORM: Grip Hogs Day

EVENTS:
Silver Bullet Hold
Two Hands Pinch
Two Hand Axle Deadlift
Pickaxe Lift
Bull Ring Lift

WEIGH-IN: Any time after 8:00am (scale will be spot-calibrated)
WEIGHT CLASSES: Your lifts will be logged per North American Grip Sport’s weight class system (59k, 66k, 74k, 83k, 93k, 105k, 120k, 120k+)

DIVISIONS: Beginner / Experienced / Expert
Places will be figured based on experience level…examples:

**Beginners – Very limited grip experience

**Experienced – 2 or more grip contests

**Expert – Seasoned Veterans

SIGN-IN: 9:00am
RULES: 9:30am
START: 10:00am

LOCATION: Jedd Johnson’s Garage Gym
EMAIL FOR DIRECTIONS: jedd dot diesel at gmail dot com

ENTRY FEE: $20. POSSIBLE THROW-IN FOR PIZZA AFTERWARDS
DEADLINE: February 1st – Paying on contest day, add $10, unless otherwise notified.
Events subject to change without notice
Events order subject to change without notice

MAKE ALL CHECKS/ MONEY ORDERS PAYABLE TO: JEDD JOHNSON

MAIL ENTRY FORM AND FEE TO:
JEDD JOHNSON
PO BOX 806
WYALUSING, PA 18853

HOTELS
Available upon request. Please contact me.

AIRPORTS (all three are about the same distance from Wyalusing, 1.5 hrs)
Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA
Binghampton NY
Elmira NY

Event Explanations & Demonstrations

Silver Bullet
The IronMind Silver Bullet is placed between the handles of a #3 gripper. The #2 can be used by women and if the athlete can not get a proper attempt on the #3.

Two Hands Pinch
The adjustable pinch device is used, with steel outside plates and rubber inserts. It is adjustable from 12 to 64mm. With a two-hand, overhand grip, the athlete lifts the device until the loading pipe contacts a cross-bar 16.5 inches high, and then must return the implement to the floor without losing grip on it.

Two Hand Axle
A 1.9-inch thick barbell, called and Axle, is gripped with two hands in an overhand grip. The athlete must lift the axle to lockout. Once the referee gives the down signal, he must lower it back to the ground without losing his grip.

Pickaxe to Front (Max Weight)
The Pickaxe device is loaded at the front and gripped at the end. It must be lifted so the front crosses the height of 30 inches, without a steel shot falling off. The steel shot prevents excessive tilt. The Pickaxe can be lowered with two hands.

The Bull Ring
The Bull RIng is a brand new event testing extensor strength. The hand is placed palm-down inside the ring, contacting only the underside of the lifting surface, and at no time can come in contact with the V-shaped supports on the underside. The athlete must lift the Bull Ring to lockout, get a good call from the ref, and the return it to the floor without losing grip on the implement.

COMING SOON

I hope to see you on February 7th. It’s gonna be a great time.

Jedd

Increase Your Two Hands Pinch
Order Your Copy of Napalm Pinch TODAY

Today is the last day I can guarantee to have your order(s) delivered before Christmas.

Due to how crazy the postal service is this time of year, today is the last day I’ll be able to guarantee you’ll receive your gift before Christmas.

I already took one load of stuff down to the post office this morning, and will be taking the next load
around 4PM, so you still have time.

If you’re looking for some last minute stocking stuffers, here’s a few ideas.

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Bent Wrench Pen Holder

Of all the Diesel Designs I offer, the Bent Wrench Pen Holder is the most popular.

You can get yourself one of these bent and signed by yours truly by clicking here: Diesel Designs Wrench Pen Holder

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The Sh*t You’ve Never Seen

This is one fo the first DVD’s I ever put out, and it is guaranteed to jack you up for your next workout.

This DVD is packed with training footage where me and my partners challenge one another, trash talk one another, complete world class feats and set PR’s one after the other.

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Intro to Strongman DVD

Also, several of you wrote in and mentioned that you had trouble ordering the Intro to Strongman DVD on Tuesday, so I am extending that mini-sale through today as well.

You can grab it here: Intro to Strongman DVD

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If there’s any other titles you’re looking for, just reply to this email. I am happy to help you find it.

Thanks, and all the best!

Jedd

I recently started a new webshow on my YouTube Channel called, “Cooking with Napalm.”

In this show, I answer 3 to 5 questions that have come in via email or comments on my YouTube videos.

I grab up the handful of questions from my computer and answer them while I am cooking on the grill or in the kitchen.

This has become a pretty popular feature on my YouTube Channel, so I am going to start doing it a bit more.

Here’s the most recent episode:

Do you have any questions for me?

If so, be sure to leave them in the comments section below, here on my site, or in the comments below any video on my channel.

And if you are not yet subscribed, you can do so by clicking this link: Jedd Johnson’s YouTube Channel

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

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Get Your Technique Right & Start Closing Bigger Grippers
CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination

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I am ordering in a stash of Diesel Hoodies. Get your order in by Thursday, November 20th to make sure your hoodie order gets placed in the first round. Make your selection below. If you order more than one hoodie, there may be slightly more shipping involved. I will contact you so we can take care of it.

International Orders – please contact me before ordering so we can get the right shipping estimate for you.

Thanks so much for your order!

Grey Horned Skull

This is the Original Diesel Skull design. This hoodie will be grey. The Skull will be white and red.

Grey Horned Skull

Small $32.95 USDMedium $33.95 USDLarge $34.95 USDXL $35.95 USD2XL $36.95 USD3XL $37.95 USD4XL $38.95 USD

Grey Diesel Skull

This is the Diesel Branded Skull. This hoodie will be Grey and the skull will be silver and red.

Grey Diesel Skull

Small $32.95 USDMedium $33.95 USDLarge $34.95 USDXL $35.95 USD2XL $36.95 USD3XL $37.95 USD4XL $38.95 USD

Black Horned Skull

This is the Original Diesel Skull. The hoodie will be Black and the skull will be red and white.

Black Horned Skull

Small $32.95 USDMedium $33.95 USDLarge $34.95 USDXL $35.95 USD2XL $36.95 USD3XL $37.95 USD4XL $38.95 USD

Black Diesel Skull

This is the Diesel Branded Skull. This hoodie will be black and the skull will be silver and red.

Black Diesel Skull

Small $32.95 USDMedium $33.95 USDLarge $34.95 USDXL $35.95 USD2XL $36.95 USD3XL $37.95 USD4XL $38.95 USD

On the back in white lettering, will be “Strong ‘Til the End.” Because that’s what you’re going to be when you wear this Hoodie!

Thank you for your order. Any questions, please contact me at jedd dot diesel at gmail dot com.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

A few weeks back, I released my first full-length Gripper Training Program, called “Cadence Based Gripper Training.”

And ever since it came out, the positive feedback has been rolling in.

I am PUMPED to share it with you.

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Just finished reading your Cadence Based Training ebook, it has to be one of the best out there for improving gripper strength. I’m going to note down a few things from the book and implement when I start training hand grippers after King Kong… While going through CBT, I couldn’t help but notice something very interesting, that there is some similarities that is also in an experimental program I’ve been working on. Like volume and having the pr syndrome. Any how, it was a very good read and I’ll use a number of the ideas presented in there.

-John McCarter-

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Loving it so far!

-Don Bentley-

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I’ve been plateued for awhile on grip so I’ll see what your program does for me. I’ve dabbled in things like hose-clamped grippers, but have noticed how in many cases you end up holding the gripper slightly differently then you normally would which probably changes the strength curve and subsequent training effect. I’ve considered holding closes and it’s nice to find a program from someone with years of experience who has experimented with the concept.

William Bradt

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Great e-book Jedd. It contains a lot of good information… I think the the most important factor in closing grippers is holding them in the closed position, preferably slightly (just 2-3 millimeters) beyond the range. That is what i started experimenting last Monday.

Jorg Keilbach

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A little over a month ago I couldn’t quite close my 124 CoC 2.5. I have now closed my 132-rated #2.5 and my GHP 6 which is rated 132 as well. Both with a block set.

-Chase Scott-

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Cadence Based Training is my new secret weapon to finally get certified on the COC 2.5. Much of my baseline grip strength has come from years of training holds for time on a variety of events, both grip and strongman. While that approach has been highly effective, it’s now become my limitation. Cadence Based Training, not only integrates this concept, it provides detailed structure and direction to gripper training which WILL get me certified on the COC 2.5. Thank you for your direction, expertise and passion.

-Amy Wattles-

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I am really excited to have received this feedback from so many different customers. Lots of my products are geared towards complete beginners ONLY, but in the case of Cadence Based Gripper Training, it is something that has appealed to many seasoned veterans as well, so it is nice to know this ebook is helping people at all levels of Gripper Training.

For instance, Amy Wattles is a certified Women’s Captain of Crush for the #2 Gripper. She is REALLY close to becoming the 1st Woman to certify on the #2.5. I truly feel the principles of this program are going to help her out toward finally certifying on the #2.5 and getting that monkey off her back.

Also, John McCarter just recently certified on the Mash Monster Level 3 Gripper, a gripper that I have failed on about 10 times, so to get the feedback from him that I did was really exciting.

But perhaps the best feedback I have received so far comes from Chris Andrade. He has been a member of both my members-only site, The Grip Authority, and my on-line one-on-one coaching, Grip Task Force, so I am very familiar with some of his frustrations.

After working so closely with him for so many months, it was awesome to get this from him the other day:

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This program is the sh*t my man. I’m MANHANDLING grippers that were busting my balls a few weeks ago. Did my week 4 workout today and then did an attempt on my #2.5 and was a few mm from closing it. MILES better than my last attempt a few weeks back. I gotta thank you again brother man.

-Christopher Andrade-

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Chris, it is AWESOME to hear it my man! That #2.5 will go down soon, brother.

Diesels, one thing you need to know about Chris. This dude is a worker. Believe me – he NEVER misses or blows off a workout and is willing to put in work in order to progress. He doesn’t let stuff bother him, or get in the way of his focus. He trains his ass off. I know, because he has been here and trained with me and he doesn’t just “try to close” grippers. He attacks them. It’s just a matter of time until he smashes that #2.5 and starts working toward the next gripper in his collection, and he’s got a lot of them!

Listen DIESELS, if you want to improve your grippers, get this program. That’s all there is to it.

Pick up the Cadence Based Gripper Training Program by clicking this link

All the best in your training.

Jedd