Mobster's Q and A

[Mobster]

Hi, Robert-da-strongman has asked me if I'd be interested in throwing in, as it were, if you have a grip sub-forum - so I said sure.

Once it's up and running I'll write a long assed intro on what I've done, what I've won and so on. Then, probably 1-2x a day, I'll drop by and see what's what.

[Gunners]

Could you list your top 5 exercises for increasing grip strength?

[Sledge]

I think this is a great idea. Mobster was one of the people instrumental in getting me into this whole bodybuilding strength training lark. And his advise was gold when I first started out on the Mick Hart forums.. I'd like to see more about grip events and bending stuff etc

[robert da strongman]

Glad to have Mobster join in

[Mobster]

Could you list your top 5 exercises for increasing grip strength?

I'll start a thread.

[robert da strongman]

maybe we could retitle this "Mobster's Q and A"

[Mobster]

I think this is a great idea. Mobster was one of the people instrumental in getting me into this whole bodybuilding strength training lark. And his advise was gold when I first started out on the Mick Hart forums.. I'd like to see more about grip events and bending stuff etc

There's a few good forums and it's too long a topic for me to get into right this moment. But... I can pretty much demonstrate my strength with household objects. So I can go to a party, BBQ, etc and once the word gets around I can bend shit and tear stuff in half. No bars, no special equipment. I do this to illustrate points when I'm doing strength and or sports performance stuff too. Plus, when coaching one to one, it's a selling point (as in I know my shit).

maybe we could retitle this "Mobster's Q and A"

Indeed

[robert da strongman]

done!

[Mobster]

I'll copy and paste some records before I do some PM pinch training in my gym.

British records
Grippers using a 20mm block: All-round contest - Right - 3.65 Steve Gardener - 20 May 2006 Gloucester, England
Using a vulcan gripper and 20mm block: All-round contest - Right - Lev 21 Steve Gardener - 11 Apr 2009 Stafford, England
As above but with a credit card set: Right - Lev 16 Steve Gardener - 5 Apr 2008 Stafford, England
Two hand pinch: Single event - 115.5k Steve Gardener - 19 Dec 2009 Gloucester, England
One hand vertical bar record: Single event – Right - 173.5k Steve Gardener - 7 Apr 2007 Stafford, England

There's a shit load more. I'll paste them later.

[Gunners]

I'll start a thread.

Could you list them here? Cheers.

[Mobster]

You're beyond help.

[robert da strongman]

hey Mobster...

what's you take on some of the showman type grip events? tearing cards, nail bending, phone book tearing, etc....

[Mobster]

There's a discussion on Ironminds forum right now on this topic. While many feats are genuine tests of strength often they are cheated so that they become entertainment.

I've done book tearing and nail bending. But if the books been dried out or the quality of the steel in the nails is lacking then all I'd be doing is little more than what stage magicians do. A way round that for me is to get the stuff supplied by the people booking me or to get others to try it first and or pick the item I'll test myself on.

But you hinted at what it's about when you used the word 'showman'. Back in the day, earning a living and doing 10 shows a week, it was sensible to train to be able to do it if pressed and then use tricks for most shows so as to save over exerting yourself. There are stories of guys getting caught out. Indeed Sandow made a name for himself doing just that.

[robert da strongman]

good insight Mobster....

a friend's dad was a magician and he knew the proper technique to dry out telephone books and cinder blocks.

[Mobster]

Sandstone, allowed to sit in water until it's drenched then dried out just enough so no water shows will be as weak as piss. Hence old timers crushing rocks. Ditto apple crushing... who the hell knows how hard the apple is?