Worlds Strongest Hands 2012

Today, I received the official announcement from David Horne on the 2012 Worlds Strongest Hands Series, the 3rd annual installment. Below is the information regarding specifics of the contest.

Information on 2012 Worlds Strongest Hands

Date: Saturday 18 August, 2012
The 2012 WSH is a one-leg event this year. In 2010, it was 4 legs, and in 2011 it was 3 legs, but with the proximity to the Worlds Strongest Hands Gathering and other scheduling issues, it was decided to make it a one-leg event only.

Events:
1. One Hand Vulcan Gripper (V2) – 20mm block close
2. Wrist Developer
3. Adjustable Thick Bar (one hand) – GripTopz
4. Stub Lift (one hand) – GripTopz

Classes: Open, Women’s and 93k class.

We recently added a variety of weight classes to the world grip sport rankings for the men. In past years, the split between the men’s class happened at the 82.5-kg mark, but this year, the divider will take place at 93-kg.

Venue: All around the world.

I will be holding my leg in Wyalusing, PA. As more locations in North America are confirmed, I will do my best to post them here. For sure, there will be one venue in Wooster, Ohio, and in past years there have been venues to compete in Minnesota, Michigan, and Arizona. I ahve also been told that there might be a competing venue in New England.

Entrance fee: £20 GBP ($32 dollars, 25 euro)

Trophies: There will be trophies for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class.

Rules: Video to follow

All of the individual contests within Worlds Strongest Hands take place on the very same day. However, some countries participate earlier than others due to their location on the globe. In order to allow no unfair advantages, results are not shared between promoters. All results are sent to David Horne for tabulation and then he puts out the results after the contest.

As I receive more information, I will post it here on this thread.

Additional Information on Worlds Strongest Hands

I get a lot of questions about Worlds Strongest Hands from people who want to know more about the event and the equipment used in the competition, so I want to put them here as they come in, to make this a good post to reference.

I know some questions are more common than others, so I will go ahead and put them down right now, but if you have additional questions, post them in the comments section and I will add them in and update the post.

What is the Vulcan or V2 Gripper?

This is a large, steel gripper, sold by David Horne / World of Grip, with a straight coil spring, that can be adjusted across various strength levels. The gripper is used similarly to a Torsion Spring Gripper, first setting it, then swiping a 30-mm block, and finally closing the handles of the Gripper together.

It was originally called the Vulcan Gripper, but the design was re-worked for a cleaner look and the spread between the handles was increased, so the ones that are sold now are called V2, as in Vulcan 2 or Version 2.

What is the Wrist Developer?

Wrist Developer

This is another steel device that is manufactured by David Horne / World of Grip, with a mobile straight coil spring that can be adjusted for various strength levels.

What is a 20-mm Setting Block?

Think of the 20-mm as a gauge that is used with Grippers. For instance, the gauge in the Two Hands Pinch is a horizontal bar that is set at 16.5 inches in height that must be touched with the loading bar of the Euro Pinch Device. In Grippers, we use the setting block to make sure everyone is being judged with the same set width. So, the athlete is allowed to set the handles, and then he/she must pass the 20-mm block between the handles to show a legal set depth. This effectively takes hand size limitations out of the equation with Gripper Contests, because everyone is permitted to get an advantageous set, by pre-positioning the handles with the off-hand, then they pass the block through, and then they make the attempt at the close.

What are the Grip Topz?

The Grip Topz are another series of Griplements from David Horne / World of Grip. They are all used with the same base, which serves as the loading pin for weights. Then, on top of the loading pin base, attachments are hooked and gripped by the competitor. There are many different Grip Topz attachments that test a variety of hand strength disciplines. They are very handy for accomplishing a wide range of Grip Training challenges and goals.

The Grip Topz events utilize the same gauge that is used in the Euro Pinch Two Hands Pinch Lift event, which is set at 16.5 inches.

What is the Adjustable Thick Bar?

The Adjustable Thick Bar is a new item in the Grip Topz series, which is a thick bar handle. It is has multiple thick handles that will be used based upon the hand size of the competitor. This event tests Open Hand Strength on a round device. So it is not pure support strength (static finger strength), but rather a hybrid challenge combining support and thumb strength.

David Horne has a video demonstrating this lift:

What is the Stub Lift?

The Stub Lift is one of the items from the first Grip Topz series which was used in last year’s Worlds Strongest Hands 2011. The Stub Lift is a steel bar which juts out of a flat steel plate, which you must grip with your index finger and thumb and try to lift. This event tests Key Pinch, and surprisingly enough hits the wrist a bit as well.

As time allows, I will shoot some videos showing the various pieces of equipment in action, so that you can see them and understand them even better.

How to Buy Vulcan V2′s & Wrist Developers:

Many people have written in asking about when I would be getting more Vulcan V2′s, Wrist Developers, etc.

Now that the contest is announced and the events are official, I would like to know who is interested in getting a Vulcan V2 or Wrist Developer. Please leave a comment below or email me.

Wrist Developer Training Info: I released a DVD on how to train with the Wrist Developer in February. It has gotten lots of good feedback.

From: Frank Deluca: “Jedd – I watched the vid today and it is awesome. This is one of your best instructional videos in my opinion and I have bought many of yours. Nice job.”

From: Karl M. Skjelvik: “Great stuff, Jedd. I learned a lot on technique and different ways to train with the WD. Tomorrow is a training day, and I’m gonna try it out.”

If you want to kick ass in World’s Strongest Hands in the Wrist Developer, or if you simply want to improve how you perform on the WD in your own training, then this is the DVD for you – pick it up today by clicking the image below.

Again, if you need any other information, please leave a comment below, or feel free to email me or hit me up through Facebook or Twitter.

All the best in your training,

Jedd

Crank Your Wrist Strength Up a Notch with the Wrist Developer DVD

Hello DIESELS!

Some pretty good submissions this week, DIESELS! The numbers came out pretty close. In fact, i’d say this is the closest the results have ever been. No one really blew everyone out of the water, in fact last place was only 6 reps behind first place – AWESOME!

Check out the results below.

Josh Dale: Score = 22 x 22 = 484

Josh not only busted out 22 reps with zero hand switches, but he also busted out what look to be the biggest biceps in this week’s competition.

Josh’s score doesn’t do justice to how impressive his performance was. As you can see, Josh never switched hands, hitting 22 reps with just one arm. Crazy. Also, he used a 10-kg plate so he lost points each rep because of the 3-lb difference. What you have to keep in mind though, is that Josh did this all after a full arm wrestling practice, making his performance even more impressive. Nice job, Josh!

Mike Turpin: Score = 25lbs x 20 = 500

Mike continues to put out entertaining videos, having fun each week. Finishing last in this tight group is nothing to be ashamed of.

A little recognition goes out to Mike and Paul – both are training for a major Powerlifting meet and they continue to take the extra time out of their schedules in order to submit videos for the challenge! Awesome job, Mike!

Paul Tompkins: Score = 25lbs x 22 = 550

Paul is a BRUTE – there is no other way to describe him, except for he is also probably the calmest brute I’ve ever met. He just lines up the challenges and then quietly mows them down. He and Mike T. have been hitting Grip feats in between the challenges and sending them to me, chomping at the bit since there was no challenge last week. They didn’t want to lose their edge.

If you look in the background of this video you see another fine member of the Diesel Universe, Niko Hulslander, who although has never submitted a Grip Challenge video, I have personally trained with him and I think he could be very good. He has also contacted me about holding a Grip Contest with him at his gym sometime in the future, so watch out for that, especially if you are in the South Western part of Pennsylvania!

Rick Walker: Score = 25 x 23 = 575

Leave it to Rick Walker to get surgery in the Spring, and do next to nothing in the weight room for 2 solid months and then go down and hit 23 Plate Curls with a 25 in between sets of shoulder presses. Awesome.

I believe this is also Rick’s first submission for the Grip Strength Challenge – not too shabby coming in third place and only two reps behind McIntyre who has won many of the challenges. Could it be that we have found McIntyre’s weakness – wrist strength and stability? Good job Rick! Looking forward to more videos when you have time, buddy!

Kevin Greto: Score = 25lbs x 24 = 600

Judging by the video, Kevin appears to be training at Iron Sport Gym in Glenolden, PA. This makes me extremely jealous because I have read that this is one of the last truly hardcore gyms in the state of PA and my buddy Pat Povilaitis and I have talked about going there to train for years and just never scheduled it to make it happen.

Kevin had a lot of hand switches in his video, I’d estimate he would have gotten enough to win this challenge if he would have had one less hand switch and pushed out a couple more reps prior to switching. However, I understand his training paradigm and he does not force reps. Keep on gripping, Kevin – looking forward to seeing you here for World’s Strongest Hands 2011.

Josh McIntyre: Score = 25lbs x 25 = 625

Josh was one of the Wild Card Qualifiers for Nationals through the Wild Card Challenges leading up to Grip Sport Nationals. I was so looking forward to a clash between him, Mike Turpin, Jason Steeves and Daniel Reinard. I am hoping we can see these guys all square off sometime down the road in an actual Grip Competition.

As you can see, Josh won this challenge, leading Kevin by one rep and thus 25 score-pounds. However, you could really see that Kevin clearly lost a few reps with his hand switches. This could be a very interesting duel down the line as well!

Check back soon guys for the next challenge!

All the best in your training!

Jedd

Hello DIESELS!

If you go to a website and it talks about Grip Training and how there are only three forms of Grip, you might want to go somewhere else for your information. The Wrist is extremely important in developing a truly strong grip, especially when you consider that Grip is everything from the elbow down to the fingertips.

With that in mind, this week’s challenge is the 25-lb / 10-kg Plate Curl for Reps.

The Plate Curl should a staple in the routine of any Grip Competitor, Strongman Competitor, and really any athlete who has to have strong, injury-free wrist and fingers in order to excel. Below are some of the reasons why plate curls are so important for athletes.

Benefits of the Plate Curl

• Wrist Strength – If you are used to hitting endless repetitions in the Wrist Curl, then this movement will be a welcome change for you. It trains the flexors to fire and maintain the joint angle in a static position, so it is a perfect complement to the more dynamic wrist training movement, the classic wrist curl.
• Finger Stability / Toughness – In order to keep the plate straight, the finger flexors must also fire intensely throughout the movement. Bracing the plate in this manner is very intense, especially for the 60-second time limit. This movement strengthens the fingers in this position and makes them more injury-resistant, so this movement is great for athletes who can not afford to have their fingers messed up.
• Thumb Endurance – While the wrist flexors are doing the majority of the work here, the thumb is also recruited heavily here as well as it is hooked over the rim of the plate. This long duration flexion will test the mental toughness of the competitors
• Wrist Stability – While the wrist flexors are used in order to keep the wrist straight during the movement, the extensors are also firing synergistically in order to keep the joint stable throughout the range of motion
• Complete Lower Arm Tie-in – The best Grip Training movements for athletes in sports other than Grip are ones that make the entire lower arm unit work together all at the same time. The Wrist Curl is one of those which accomplish just that, with movement at the elbow, static contraction at the wrist and thumb, and static to eccentric contraction at the fingers.
• Forearm Size – This movement is a great forearm mass builder. The entire forearm flexor acreage is put under load with this one so a great deal of stimulation takes place. Doing this regularly can blow your forearms up BIG TIME!

Video Guidelines

To submit a video, you must use the following guidelines:

• Title: “DieselCrew.com – Plate Curl for Reps”
• Tags: plate curl, wrist strength, grip endurance, finger stability
• Description: http://www.dieselcrew.com – Grip Strength Challenge – Plate Curl for Reps

Rules

Here are the rules for this week’s Grip Strength Challenge.

1. Take a 25-lb or 10-kg plate and support it on the flat, smooth side with the fingers. Hook the thumb over the lip of the plate in order to hold it in your grasp.

2. Begin with the plate in contact with your thigh. Keeping the wrist as straight as possible, curl the plate up towards the forehead and lightly make contact.

3. Perform this lift for 60 seconds, getting as many repetitions as possible. Hand switches are permitted, as well as chalk. Wrist supports of any kind are not allowed for this challenge.

DIESELS, I will be watching form like a hawk. Keep the reps strict as possible. Any throwing of the weight using the shoulder or thighs is not allowed. If you need to set the plate down or rest at the top or bottom, that is fine, but no body momentum on this one.

Scoring

Since different weighted plates might be used for the challenge, we will use the scoring system used in the Kettlebell Bottoms-up Press Challenge, as shown below…

You do not have to weigh your plate on a scale, but you do have to show what the plate is on camera (25-lb or 10-kg) as the 3-lb difference in plates will certainly make a difference.

If you are unsure of how to perform the Plate Curl for Reps, here is a video demonstration.

How to Perform the Plate Curl for Reps

That is all there is to it, DIESELS. I look forward to your submissions. God luck with the challenge, and remember to comply with the Video Requirements or else I will come to your house and Two Hands Pinch your throat, and NOBODY wants that.

Jedd Johnson

Find out the training methods I use
to continue to increase the Two Hands Pinch World Record
each and every year!

Last week’s feat was the Slim Lever (Demonstration Video).

Check out the submissions below and please leave a vote in the comments section below for the one that you feel is most impressive. Voting will go on until Noon (EST) on Monday, May 23! (Please only vote one time per person)
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This week’s feat was the Sledge Hammer Deadlift. This is an awesome movement for strengthening the hands and wrists for bending.

There was one submission this week – Andy Thomas, and he took care of some serious business!

Check it out: