Ouxh

Why do I get the feeling that if I'm not more careful this could be me? Article

ROLLING THUNDER MAX

Lets see what the upcoming (week after next) ''SUPER GYM ROLLING THUNDER MAX" on Saturday, January 9 at 1:00am brings us. Big numbers we hope!!

BHSA and 2010

Grip events, inside and outside the BHSA calender, are looking good. With dates to be confirmed we already have Neil 'Twig' Belcher's ANGER comp in January (10th I think). I'm hoping to host a comp with the intention of raising the bar in the 2 hand pinch late Feb. I know that David Horne will hold something similar and then we have Mighty Mitts at the Arnold Sports Festival in early March.

That will be followed by April's annual Peter Horne memorial competition and then May's British Grip Championship's. Looking at the short list which takes us to more or less the middle of the year we have a little over one a month. David has a couple of promo events taking place at some of the bigger arm wrestling events and those will be followed in August by the 2010 European's being held in Madrid, Spain.

All of these are on this side of the pond (Atlantic) bar the Mighty Mitts. With the GGC, Chad Woodall event (if it happens again) and more in the US you can see that activity is high.

Go get to it!!

Grip events at the Arnold Classic

From Ironmind: Dr. Terry Todd has announced the events for the 2010 Arnold Strongman contest, confirmed some of the competitors and also described the grip events that are being added to the program. For the strongman contest, the Tire Deadlift and Manhood Stone will be unchanged. The Apollon’s Wheels will use a rising bar format with the weight increasing to from 166 to 206 kg, at which point it will be maximum reps in 90 seconds. The Circus Dumbbell will see a weight increase to 103 kg. The Timber Carry will be increased to approximately 450 kg, the ramp will be flat and straps can be used. Zydrunas Savickas, Derek Poundstone, Phil Pfister, Brian Siders, Brian Shaw and Travis Ortmayer have confirmed, Todd said, and Mariusz Pudzianowski has been invited. Mighty Mitts will be a new feature, featuring feats of grip strength. The events are: Jowett Anvil: deadlift the 163 lb. anvil by its horn Sorin’s Monster: deadlift a 500-lb. barbell with a 2-inch diameter handle Inch by Inch: walk for distance with an Inch replica dumbbell in each hand Mark Henry Bell: lift the 300-lb dumbbell with a 2.5-inch diameter handle out of its box Gama Club: lever an 80-pound Indian Club According to Todd’s press release, “The winner of each of these challenges will earn $1000 as well as lasting fame, and his name will be placed on a plaque at the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports at the University of Texas.” Yes this does mean grip guys could enter and win $1000 a pop (£626). I really like the Henry dumbbell lift.

Magazines for Jan 2010

Super gym Iceland deadlift comp

Just to confuse the staticians and iron game historians the heaviest deadlift of the day was done by another Benadikt Magnússon and not Gemma's hubby. Write up and results are here (in Icelandic). The new Benny pulled 320-kilos.

New British single lift 2 hand pinch record

In spite of an awful bad back and what was a freezing cold day I finally managed to pull more than 115-kilos on the two hand pinch. Taking 106.7 as my opener and pulled it no sweat (NB all unscaled). I added 5-kilos (what I thought was 111.7) and again made it. I took my time and added another 5-kilos (taking weights off and adding heavier ones) to what on paper should have been 116.7-kilos or about 700 or so grammes more than the current world record (approx a pound). The lift was solid as a rock and I had time to give it the large, while holding the pin solidly against the bar required, to a nearby camera. I then emulated Jedd's recent WWE style tirade asking 'who's No 1??' and more. Ahh but the scales said 'not you, not yet'.

In spite of my weighing the weight 2 more times it came out at 115.5-kilos or 254.63lbs (first reading was as per 2 videos 115.8). Now that's a British single lift event record but a teeny weeny bit short of the WR. I checked the skin on my thumbs and felt good enough for another 4th and final attempt. So I asked for a 1/2-kilo disc to be added to each side taking the weight to 116.5-kilos or 256.83lbs but alas not enough steam. I managed a few inches but that was it. Dark video here (having loads of problems getting a lighter version up)

The two 2HP record videos

Courtesy of the Diesel Crew... sweet.

Chads effort

Jedds WR

Jedd even says in his report the record could fall this weekend.

Photo of Jedd and that world record

Seems happy...

New 2 hand pinch world record

Subject to the final results of this weekends event Jedd just posted this:

I just jumped onto Climber's computer to let everyone know that I just broke the pinch record.

256
and some change!!

Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years. I could not do it without you guys.

Also, just before my round on the pinch at 54 mil, Chad Woodall also broke the record. He hit 255 and some change. It has been an awesome contest so far and Chad's outstanding lift pushed me even harder.

All the best everybody!

Headline of the week: Muscular Monkeys

More research into myostatin inhibitors is taking place with some interesting results: article

Benni deadlifting again

Gemma and Benni's Super Gym are holding their 'Super Gym Max Deadlift competition' the same day as our Whey Power Challenge (Saturday 19th December. I look down the list and there's Benni's name. Could he be going for some big numbers again? I do hope so.

The closer I get the harder it gets

And so it was today... man what a hard workout. With less than 14 days to go to the 19th December 2009 Whey Power Challenge today was one of, I think, my last 3 chest 'n back workouts. These are testing times. I was in half a mind not to do it today but rest and go tomorrow. But decided the spacing of the final two workouts would be too close together so went today.

I worked to 155-kilos/341lbs for 8 reps on the wide grip lat pulldowns, 127.5kg/280.5lbs for 6 reps on the low cable row and to 182.5-kilos for 4 singles on the mind fuck that is my heavy bench. Brutal.

GMV's Mr O preview

In their weekly newsletter this was the highlight

Click me

The mutha of all front squats

Best so far... close to 700 there.

Best bodybuilding cover of the year??

This one wins it for me.

Top 12 hardest training

Written with a bodybuilding slant (as admitted by the author) nevertheless it's a good read. He gives you his picks for the 12 hardest workers in the gym.

Clicky

America's Strongest Man event... some sense

Yes - a good result. The boo boo of having this event run the same damn weekend of the WSM finals has been changed. It's now been moved to the Mr O date of late September and so instead of sending their best overseas providing their not too worn out they can kick fellow Yank ass and compete for the title of America's Strongest Man.

More from Ironmind

World Weightlifting Championships 2009

There's a saying used in strength circles which goes something like 'somewhere there's a small Chinese girl squatting more than you'. Well roll on up to the World Championships cos there's a frigging bus load waiting!

Check out some Ironmind updates on how it went:

One

Two

Three

Your mind is your best ally

Those of you with any knowledge of sports psychology will know that in the simplest terms a positive mind is far more likely to help you succeed in your gym lifts than a negative one.

One of my habits when coaching others is to look into what 'hooks them'. I'll listen to conversations we have when not lifting, stories told and even to what is muttered by them when they are lifting big. Such things can be very telling in what makes a person tick and then, as I do, can be used to drive them harder when the time comes. I usually use it in two ways. One is max set / max weight time in training. A little dose, if you will, of a whispered comment and an extra rep is driven out of an exhausted body. The other time is in the psyching up portion pre a competition lift. Knowing what makes others tick, which while useful as a coach, means I also need to know what drives me as do you.

Now positive affirmations, words such as yes, power, success and so on and not at all limited to the usual gym phrases of 'hench dude!' or 'all you' when spotting but even open ended or non-negative comments. If 'you will fail' is full on negative and 'you will succeed' is full on positive then a neutral or open comment could be 'let's see what will happen'. Even a reply to 'how will you do?' such as 'I don't know... let's see' has something because it leaves a metaphorical door open for something successful to occur. Try to leave the BS of the world at the door. The boss, wife or whatever that is down on your ass. Fu*k them. They've never seen this you. Show them.

When talking to some new guys at Gymnation (the other gym I use) recently I said simple acts such as having a pre-written out workout, sets, reps and poundage included, will leave you with more opportunities to do well than an unplanned see how we go approach. It is because during the workout simply becoming knackered from the training will make it that much harder to recall the numbers from the previous workout. Having a simple number to aim for removes doubt and lessens the likelihood of failure. Look at the strongman event called 'the Hercules Hold'. Those that go last almost always do better than the earlier athletes. This is simply because the earlier guy acts as a pace setter and those that follow only have to do one second more. Just one second more. See how that phrase reads and sounds so simple. Unless you risk injury or death it is.

Another way I encourage guys to do their best is 'be in and of the moment'. I probably don't use those exact words (more 'now slag, now!!'). But the message is the same. For some the brutal onslaught to come, the pressure they will be under, can be daunting. They know that they might shake or feel nauseous and this can make them hold back. A reminder of what they are there for 'you want size don't ya!!' (or whatever) and a 'do this now, for this second, for this minute, then rest, grow and succeed'.

Most people hold themselves back from being what they can be. I've written before of the 'train with Arnold or Ronnie' lines people come out with. The usual guys BS thing where some wannabe will say 'if I trained with X' (chosen athlete they admire) 'I'd be all that and I'd train so hard'. I've even had it said about me - very nice but I replied 'why wait?'. Train like that NOW! The is no magic in Ronnie, Arnold and most certainly I have none. Do not wait for some golden moment, the sun, moon and stars in alignment, to train hardcore. Train as though that person is with you now. Perhaps imagine them in the corner giving you a thumbs up.

It has been said that the body does not care what it is asked to do. Sure we have nerves etc to protect ourselves but they all end at the brain. Separate the two and it'd do any old thing. Now add it back in and see what the body will do if you ask it. Don't have the man in the driving seat, your ID, sit there with cruise control or autopilot doing the job, drive that baby. Put the pedal down and see how fast it'll go.

Nuff - go do it.

Pre workout products... are they needed?

I'm from the K.I.S.S. school of thought (keep it simple stupid). I make up a strong coffee (2 teaspoons of some instant and 3 of sugar) and neck it about 30 minutes or so before I intend hitting the weights. Now in the last few years we've seen a bunch of products hit the market. Some are pure pre-workout and some pump/pre-workout combos. What I'm seeing more and more is an over reliance on products being used to 'get one up' before the gym. Given that the majority of trainees the world over are not going to look like Mr Olympia any time soon why then do they seem to be incapable of a workout worth a mention without taking some inevitably over-priced concoction that will help them? There's an analogy which applies here. We know that anti-biotics, if over prescribed, eventually loose their effectiveness. Ditto a healthy dose of painkillers becomes less so and thus you need more to get an effect. The same applies to most stimulants. Yes, this includes coffee and caffeine (a common ingredient in said products). You need to dose yourself carefully so that you ONLY use when required. Try and have time off.

Big Z raises the log lift record higher

Zydrunas Savickas 212.5-kilos

Confusing ain't it?

It ought to be quite simple. Creatine, in 99.99% of cases, works. I mean, in case there is any confusion, Creatine Monohydrate. Not the piss poor dissolving stuff (120 mesh = grainy, table sugar like) but the powdery 200 mesh kind sometimes called 'micronized'. The 200 mesh kind can be seen to more or less disappear and dissolve before it's reached the bottom of a glass and at worst requires a quick swish with a spoon and it's all nice and gone. So why is there, what at first glance appears to be, more than 20 other kinds??

A glance at an ad in MMI for a US based companies product (I'm not mentioning the name for obvious reasons... namely not getting my ass sued) shows that their list of ingredients includes:

• Creatine Nitrate
• COP (Creatine-O-Phosphate)
• Creatine Leucinate

I'll look at what the hell these may be in a mo. Let's see if I can find some more. Some you'll have heard of and some you may not.

• Creatine Malate (aka 'Tri-malate)
  
• Creatine Ethyl Ester
• Creatine Citrate

Of the phosphate and citrate versions this article states that they are 1) more expensive and 2) of a 5g serving you'd get 3.2g (CP) and 2g (CC) absorbed where as the mono has a 4.2 rating (4.2g of every 5g serving absorbed). This makes a mockery of some 'better absorption claims). Why pay more, as they aren't manufactured in as large amounts as the mono, to get less bang for your buck??

Creatine Malate or Tri-creatine malate is a compound made from creatine monohydrate and malic acid. The substance is so named because the compound is made from three creatine molecules attached to one molecule of malic acid. A quick look shows claims of greater absorption but these seem to be from a repeated company product information release. I could not find, on quick inspection, a reference to a study showing the same in the three such bits of blurb I saw.

Creatine Leucinate: I can only find one product with it in. That says enough right there. If it was 'all that' the other rival companies would be all over it. Just googling the second part of the name makes it look like creatine has been bonded to an amino acid. Whatever for?? Indeed these are the exact kinds of questions you need to ask.

Creatine Ethyl Ester: My company used to sell this. We no longer do. I've even used it and recommended it previously. Again I no longer do. Why?? Because it's as unstable as they come. Once again it was all about bonding a creatine molecule to something else to enhance it. But in doing so two things came up. One was the acid MAY rot your teeth (mind you you'd need to be swilling it around) and secondly tests showed that the bog standard mono version is reasonable stable in solution (water) for an hour or so. CEE... not so much. It started to degrade quickly. Tests were carried out at pre-set intervals and the first was 20-seconds. It had already started to degrade noticeably then. Now, as per the way some studies don't make sense, I asked 'why would you at your creatine to solution and then just have it sit there?' but 20-seconds isn't that long. I add my mono to my tea and it takes that long for me to carry the cup back to my bed where I'll sip it. In the case of the acidic tasting CEE it'd have degraded before I got back to my bedroom.

Creapure: Info aimed at the newbs. Creapure Creatine IS CREATINE MONOHYDRATE. The Creapure name is a brand name. It is attached to a certain big Creatine producing German company who use what they call patented purifying process. In simple terms when Mono first hit the scene and even just a year or so back some of the cheaper Korean and Chinese versions were not quite as sterile as we'd might like our sports supplements to be. The German processors went out of their way to ensure a cleaner, purer product. Bog standard economy versions were tested and found to be 99.9% 'pure' and the Creapure version claims 99.99%. Those that favour the product argue that it's the 'what the hells the .01%' you need to worry about (toxins, heavy metals??). However, newbs seem to think that having the Creapure label means 'better results'. It does not. The makers of it do not claim that nor should anyone else. Even if it did, as I have said in the past, it's be only .01% better. That's like a 1mm improvement in size on my biceps. Un-frigging noticeable.

Doses. One of the Brink Zone articles (see below) is entitled 'more is not better'. I've previously written up some of the mistakes people make on my Whey Consortium forum Some are as silly as pouring powder into mouths then wondering why the subject gets dehydrated, headaches or stomach cramps (not enough water retard!!) to using as much as 50g a day - why??

If you don't mind the search and even with my accusing him (on MD) of being a bit of a one trick pony (he's not but he did go on about Creatine loads) then check out Will Brink's many articles and comments on Creatine. www.Brinkzone.com is the place. Use his search function.

Feedback appreciated

Grip Shit

One of our esteemed Grip nuts, Daniel Evans, has put together the eBay of the grip freaks world in the form of www.gripshit.com I've already signed up and need to add some more items. If you have grip stuff you're looking to buy, sell or swap get yer backsides over there and enrol.

Bench pressing... Whey Power Challenge

I am, it seems, on target for my 200-kilo / 440lbs December 19th Whey Power Challenge. A peruse back through old training logs showed me that my last session prior to last Decembers 190kg effort was a very nice 182.5-kilos for 4 singles. I managed 172.5-kilos for 5 x 1 as of this morning. As I attempted 200 last year but it got stuck 6-inches off my chest I aim to hit 182.5-kilos for 6 or more singles on this years last session and then go: 140 (last warm up), 160, 180 and 200 this year.

Hopefully the extra day or two has allowed the skin at the base of my thumbs to heal some more so tomorrows 2HP should be good. We shall see.

Magazines for December

Flex has the Jay cutler as Mr O cover we've previously posted.
Here's Muscle Mag Internationals December cover

Striking the right balance

I'm a member of many forums and, as many know, have now earned my stripes if only by virtue of being around a long enough time. On one forum posts are edited, members banned and so on almost without reason - at least one that the mods care to mention to those having their knuckles rapped. On others we discuss the ins and outs of AAS but pay a small monthly fee for the pleasure. But on what can quite easily be claimed as among the very biggest of forums inc Get Big, Bodybuilding.com and so on there seems to be one hell of a mess.

Now I get that many, if not most, of the membership of these sites comes from our younger brethren (15-18). So one can take some of the posts with the usual pinch of salt. Indeed said sites have their versions of what are called 'pits'. In such places you go play at being an ass and no one, or at least only the sensitive, takes what is said and done there too seriously. So someone calls someone else an ass-eater and they get the same and worse back. It's a slightly amplified and crude version of the sort of good natured joshing lads training give to each other.

But, as per a post on another forum recently, said ribbing - and not the good kind - is leaking across. RX had a post about a video they were going to put up and immediately the excited and somewhat immature demanded (yes that's correct) to know when and worse.

Obviously people will post up stuff some don't agree with so we do not all 'need to get along' but I feel people need to, using an old phrase, look at the bigger picture. Posts counts and attitudes don't mean shit. At some point you'll end up being seen in person. If you lack the 'skills' (strength, size, some muscle??) then you'll only ever be a legend on a PC. From fake photos, never buying a magazine, not training (yes some legends don't even work out) and just out and out lying... some of these morons don't realise that they damage they do to the sport they chose.

More...

Who's the calibrated gripper daddy?

Me!! I had a PM via the Gripboard yesterday asking what the rating was on the 'hard 4', as it was described, at the Chad Woodall event. It was, I was told, 205lbs and the hardest closed in competition. I'd been added to the list with my 1st post event gripper rated at 194lbs and another at 199lbs. But the 205lbs clinches it for now.

JTP wins 'Bros vs Pros' events

RX Muscles 'Jeff the Producer' (hence the JTP) beat IFBB pro Mike Libertore with 41 individual reps using the 80-pounders in dumbbell curls against a valiant 39 reps and took home the 1000 dollar prize.

Put me up against a pro in grip... I could do with the cash!

Benny gets 180-kilos log

With the heaviest lift of the event, the Super Gym Log Lift competition, Benedikt Magnússon (in the 125kg+ class0 made the mark in the sand of 180kg which is also a new Icelandic record. 180-kilos is the weight which is now considered truly world class. Closest in the other classes was 110-kilos.

Proper gyms

I described a gym I use as 'spit and sawdust' and the one I run as 'just spit... we're not that posh!!' ha ha. Someone using the other called ours 'the bulky boys place'. All in all something close to the mystical, because no one ever agrees on exactly what it means, hard core gym. Some are clean and some are dirty, some have toliets and some do not. But they all have 'something'.

Here's the first of many: Iron Sport Gym

No more lies

As a long time fan of the Iron Game (30+ years now) I'm as aware of the next guy of the history of our sport. We are as prone to exaggeration as any field. However, in the age when you can video stuff on your mobile and with the click of a button post it to a youtube account there is no more need for the 'claimed but no burden of proof' lifts we are still burdened with.

I'm fortunate in that a few of the fans of our beloved hobby know my name. Not everyone but a few. Because of that I can. on occasion, prod people into honesty or have them prod me right back if need be, so as to be more upfront and forthright when they claim a lift. I can say 'I know you and I hope you know me. Stop playing silly buggers with those that know bugger all and be honest'.

So, as has been the case, if I am aware of someone tampering with an Ironmind coC 3 gripper then, rather naughtily, placing a video of a claimed 'CCS 3 close' on youtube I can then remind them I'm aware that they are up to no good. Said video strangely disappears from view.

Equally doing an honest lift but failing to provide sufficient evidence of the same is also not much cop as we Brits say. A five minute history lesson shows the amount of exaggeration and outright untruths that took place many years ago. What is gained now? 9/10 we're not talking about some photo shoot with the 'wooden wheels' used in Flex magazine shoots but some typical Joe making a living from a normal job but looking, it seems, to make a grand claim.

Sure one can puff up the ego and feel good for a 1/2 hour. But, as I've often pointed out, these are genuinely strong guys who one day, if patient, will make the lift for real. It's as though they yearn to be part of some imagined elite so badly they are prepared to falsify their 'club membership' as it were. I've remind the same that they have come a long way in a short time and have some way to go. To ruin their rep early on means no one will take them seriously when they actually make their mark.

Don't screw it up guys.

Here's an example of a fake lift using wooden plates (done, I suspect for a laugh). The title says 735lbs when 6 plates a side is less and the guy does 15 reps...

Stop faffing about

Inspired by another of Romano's scribblings (Enough questions - go train) I thought I'd add my own 2p's worth - UK style. On occasion I have been known to have a teeny weeny bit of an ego (I know, you're all in shock LOL). Sometimes said ego allows me to think 'you must be special cos you can do X, Y and Z and others cannot'. On my more modest days I think along the lines of 'you ain't doing anything that fancy so how come others aren't doing what you do or close to it?'.

I mean I do not abuse 'gear' (very low dose and a healthy (I hope) approach), I stick to the basics - what works, works! I eat sensibly but still enjoy the odd indulgence and so on. So how come the gyms are full of guys a million miles away from where they should be. Sure I understand we wont all have the same goals, life gets in the way and so on. But how come so many lack the ability to apply the basics in a consistent manner long enough and well enough to get some way towards what they set out to achieve?

I have, on occasion, coached people and John Romano has, like me no doubt, been asked a million times about this or that (as per his article). is the truth, eat well, train hard, don't over do it (guilty sir, sorry...) and rest... repeat, so complicated??

Perhaps the one thing lacking is drive. If I'm not so outstanding physically or genetically then perhaps the spark that's needed is that drive to succeed. Take my mind set pressing today - I wanna stack the machine so the idea of '60-kilos for 8, then 65-kilos' becomes in my head 'add weight BITCH, FILL IT RIGHT UP!!'. Or, as per Saturday, when I was doing heavy lat pulldowns and had a 10-kilo plate pinned to the 140-kilo stack my mind was thinking '180kg one day... oh yes... repped!!'. Do others think 'oh this burns... I'll do a few pumpers and I'm done??'

When I'm coaching and have the odd willing (as opposed to one-time wonders) I'm able to show them that they are capable of so much more then they think they are. I'm no 'rep counter' when I coach. I'm far more of a 'get it done NOW!!' type trainer and while that doesn't suit some it does others and those do a hell of a lot more when they walk through the door than they may have thought they could. I don't charge a huge amount so am of the opinion that I do not want to waste my time with those that, as per the title, faff about. Ron Harris, of MD, once alluded to the idea of training with a champ. Even he succumbed to this when he did a train with Ronnie weekend. I used his example by saying 'why wait until Ronnie's about, get it done now!!'. Sure it's damned hard work but that';s how to make it happen.

Photoshopped

Or not... just outstandingly freaky.

Less we forget

2HP World Record

So I mention yesterday my intention to, if need be, crawl over the road to do my best to break the world record (David's 115-kilos effort) with a target of 117-kilos. Now David and I, both in posting and via a chat on MSN had talked about my idea of retiring from competition following the Euro's in August.

David said, quite truthfully, that I might find it difficult to give up the competition scene come the time. So it was a little amusing (deffo eyebrow raising) to see a declaration of his intent to, and I quote, ''If you break my record, I will take it back, and very quickly. My training lifts right now are very strong''. Now if David is, as he says, capable that's all well and good. But I've also been thinking of the idea that at some point one has to give up the idea of a record never being broken by anyone else.

With the rare exception most records end up being broken. It is the lot of a former record breaker to see someone come along and take your record from you. It is what it is. If David has it in him to do more, then great, the bar gets raised and those that follow have some more kilos they need to add to their bars in order to beat him. But at some point David, myself and any other wanna-be record holder will have to take it on the chin. Our records will fall.

World of Grip awards

So David Horne has posted up his World of Grip awards and put some suggestions of his own. I'm doing ok with a few votes. But some of the guys must think it's a 'who do you LOVE the most' comp cos they're putting up names of guys who asses I WHIPPED. I mean Paul Knight, who is a great easy going guy and a good gripper man - have no doubt, I whipped his butt but good. Gabriel Sum, again a guy and a good all rounder, but I won 4 of the 5 events last time we met and Sam Solomi beat him on the other. Now my German buddies might love him but did he beat me? No. So what the hell??

And one guy chose Jedd Johnson as his best newcomer for 2009. Jedd is probably the US's best pincher, number 3 as an all rounder in the US and has been helping to hold as well as compete in the US nationals since, what, 2004?? So a new comer?? What are ya - morons??

Only cos I can't vote for myself did I add Chad Woodall, Andrew Durniat and Gabriel Sum for my top 3 in 09. Otherwise it have been a toss up between Chad and I for the first 2 spots then Andy with Gabriel in 4th.

All this is without getting into those that forget which country some of the guys come from - clue Sam Solomi is from Devon, England ya numpty!!

Offering up old news as new

And this weeks favourite is a combination of 'BSN under fire' and 'news' about CEE (Creatine Ethyl Ester).

The BSN part relates to a story from February where someone filed a paper accusing BSN of making false claims about a form of Creatine they said was in one of their products. The result of which was they couldn't prove it even existed as they described it. So only 10 months old... do keep up people.

The CEE part relates to it degrading into a waste product, Creatinine, in solution VERY quickly. Far, far more quickly than mono. So even those products with bells and whistles added will do the same. You'll get more from the additives than from the CEE. This news is from... 2007!!

Both snippets came from the Brink Zone.

What Steve did last night

Saturday

PM... as in 9.32pm or so. Just back from the 'Kingfishers Got Talent show' were I was a guest 'artiste' (on just before last years winner). Well what a shocker! It was amazingly professional. All 200 seats sold out, people standing down the sides, a full PA and professional lighting system... you get the picture. Combined with 3 local faces acting as Ozzy, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, 2 very good MC's and a little stage crew I was worried my 'put it together as you go along' plan was going to look absolutely rank. I need not have worried.

The 'talent' was very, very enjoyable. A great little rock band, a dance group, a Kate Bush impersonator, more dancers, more singers... all much better than whatever I'd imagined. I was due to go on before the youngster winner from last year (there was a youngsters winner and an adult winner) while the crowd voted for their favourite.

A quick word with the MC's about rolling the bell out and milking it as though it weighs a ton (was in fact a Baby Inch, a thick handled 53-kilo / 118lbs dumbbell), some background rock music and there help working the crowd... BOOM!! I rocked!!

I made sure to the get the crowd behind me with a 'wow, how good has it been thus far and you've all been great... don't let down cos I'll need your strength to get me through the act... he he' Baring in mind my back was aching even with painkillers right up to the walk on stage and then... nothing cos I was in the zone! I had the kids come to the front with a 'who wants a souvenir??!!' and bent a few nails to get them and the crowd going (usual ahhs for the kids he he), then broke (so much easier when the buzz and adrenalin is pumping) and tore 3 Argos Catalogs in twain. I then milked a one hand lift, either hand, of the dumbbell, then a clean pull to my chest and finally 'but only if you cheer loud enough' (much waving at crowd and me shouting like a stabbed bull 'C'MON!!!!!!!!!) I then pick it up, drop it and catch it in the same hand before it hits the ground, then switch hands (by throwing it across) and do the same with the left (also lets one side and the other of the audience see what you're doing). Huge cheer and me buzzing all night ha ha.

After wards I signed an autograph (on a portion of the catalog), bent loads more nails (inc one which made my palm bleed but that only made it seem harder - it also meant if I clapped the winners my hand got all bloody ha ha) and even posed for a photo or two with a special needs girl.

Gavin, one of the lads I coach, did me a huge favour of dropping off and picking up and taking back of the dumbbell etc. Cheers Gavin. All in all a good night and I think they liked it. As IFBB pro Lee Powell won it last year they must like zee muscle ha ha. Icing on the cake was a little gift back which include a bottle of Newcastle Brown which you know will not be touching the sides (as indeed the first Bitter already done did not ha ha). Pizza and Ben & Jerries will end the night nicely.

Codex Alimentarius

As part of the now 11 pages and rising 'chat' with Brian Clapp on his 'steroid' site I, with some help, managed to remember the Codex. If you don;t know what it is it's worth a look as it may well end up affecting those little health pills you take: Codex

Gemma's Supergym - upcoming events

Super Gym MAX Competitions
Saturday 14th November - Log Lift MAX
Saturday 19th December - Deadlift MAX (including the WOLF games!)
Saturday 9th January - Rolling Thunder MAX

Saturday 6th February - Bench Press MAX

Saturday 6th March - Squat MAX

MD Dec cover... the Canadians are coming!

Quick shut the gate ha ha

Pseudo Steroids

Thanks to a hotly debated (inc by me) topic on RXMuscle I awoke this morning with an idea of what to write today... so he we are. To quote Peter Griffin / Family Guy 'things that grind my gears'.

Now just to clarify there are some products, Pro-Hormones, SARMS and products which MAY have anabolic or 'roid like' properties out there. Most are marketed as such. It might even be argued that the marketing of said items and how they are described is a reflection on the supplement industry. That by calling something 'Mega Anabolic RX 2000' you're allowing people to assume more than they should.

We're fortunate, at least in magazine marketing and adverts, here in the UK to not have too many of the US style over the top and very close to the wind in word choice type of adverts to contend with. You CAN still buy these kinds of products from reseller type companies who import US PH style products. However, in the US and US magazines page after page of them are filled with the near knuckle and, in my opinion, well past the knuckle adverts of these kind of products.

I'm not 'grrr'ing at that part of the market. At least not today. It's the section where a bottle, complete with, in their words, a legit holographic security sticker, also has a name like 'TrenX' or 'DeccaY'. Products even have images of cows (FinaH) and the like. Companies producing said products buy up domain names of sites which previously sold, if illegally, steroids. The same companies produce bottles with labels which offer a homage to the product they purport to be. From the same colours, font and layout.

They aren't even fake steroids, not that that's a good thing, but for all intents and purposes give the impression of being the real thing. Heavy use of words such as anabolic and steroid (for, in their words, search engine purposes) litter their pages. In some place on their page will be either a legal declaration (ok under FDA regs or the like) and a line which clearly, if in a small way, says 'our products do not contain steroids'. Yet you'll have searched for steroids, seen a site recommending site X as a seller of steroids and then, without checking the small print, thought you were on a naughty hush-hush site selling them (no I never got scammed). I could go on. The cash these freaks make is out of this world. Something which, at best, as DHEA or Tribulus in it is sold as a months supply for $200.00 (yes that's correct). Even with the money back in not satisfied guarantee offered the site rakes in the cash.

To use a Brit phrase - they are taking the fucking biscuit.

Pro level training in a home gym

Like Lee Priest before him this new (ish) guy proves that you CAN build a pro-level physique training at home.

Video

More Khan

Weider have been busy with their latest signing. They already have some in shape gym shots to present:

Amazing lad does muscle stunts - aged 5

And we thought our 8 year old Ethan Betty was good.

Video link

Fortissimus split

News from Ironmind of the split between various names involved in the Fortissimus event seems, to me, to echo back to IFSA and others selling and splitting up thereof. In other words history is repeating itself and in spite of claims of protecting the sport it's the personalities which are at loggerheads.

It's one thing to have a rival competitor you're going after. Obviously you wish to win, to be the strongest, but as we have seen before all too often in both strongman, bodybuilding and even the father of them all, weightlifting it's usually one man vs. another in a disagreement which leads to new federations, events and competitions being created.

Do I need to remind anyone that outside weightlifting and then ONLY during the Olympic Games we're not exactly getting as big a share of the pie as the more modern 'sports' seen at the X Games and the like. Guys on skateboards, admittedly some have skills, are raking in $100k+ per year with the odd one getting $2-3m or more. Not only that but more of them get decent cash and by far more exposure.

This fractional approach, a sputtering stop-start-stop again, does not help us one bit. Those in powerful positions within the Iron Game need to stop butting heads and pull together!

Arm size BS

It's getting silly again. Writers are allowing themselves, or indulging themselves, with lines such as 'Mr X, with his 24-inch arms...'. I mean get the F out of here! Guys DO get heavy in the off season but do the maths - the videos and photos shots we see are when most guys are in good to hard condition. So a number based on a 300lb off-season body is given as the in-shape number.

But even then it's off. If one of the bigger guys - close to 6 feet or better say - and with patently bigger arms than the far shorter guys why then am I seeing 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 guys weighing 30, 40 and even 50lbs less claiming arm sizes of 24 inches??

Many years ago and possibly I still have the clipping in my collection the Sun newspaper (or Mirror??) printed a life-size photo of a flexed Lou Ferrigno arm. This would be between the Hulk series time frame and when he, at 6 feet 5, bulked up to a claimed on stage 320lbs. With those numbers in mind he 'only' claimed a 24-inch arm. So how will someone weighing 90lbs less have the same and yet their arms do not look half as big again considering the frame to which they are attached??

The truth is as it always has been - bodybuilding arms, ripped and vascular, look more muscular and when they have peak and shape too tied in with a small bone structure then visually they will look absolutely amazing and perhaps look as big as is being claimed. But the reality is as it always has been. Guys weighing, at best, 230lbs (as bodyweight numbers are often fake too) on an average height trainee will be no more than 20" max. Indeed often less.

Some of the best arms in history as voted for by fans on bodybuilding websites have been way less. Even as low as 17-inches! Yes 17. And 17, on an average frame, is very, very good. Especially so if the body is lean.

So save me from the BS please guys. Just say 'it's a hell of an arm' or similar. Don't attach some fake number to it.

Zack is moving fast

The boy done good... already! Plus check out the ripped bod!

Studio shot of our newest pro

Iscl results

The top five from this past weekends International Strongman's Champions League event at Wembley were;

1. Z. Savickas
2. M. Felix
3. A. Murumets
4. A. Kazelniks
5. J. Laureys

Magazine covers

Not yet in November and here's Decembers:
Baring in mind the issue with Jay on the cover (posted last week) I'm confused cos I've just found this on the UK site which differs from the Silvio one on the .com site and from the one above.

Zack Khan is our newest UKFBB / IFBB pro

I'm just back from a weekend away (grand daughters 1st birthday) and so wasn't able to post etc but over the next 24 hours I'll be updating loads. I look forward to seeing Zack ripped and HUUGGEE!

Thursday pm work

[b]Thursday PM[/b]
[u]V/Gripper[/u]
B/H: usual warm ups
L/H:L10 x 1 rep, L13 x 1 rep both no problems. However, all my work after was all over the place due to either over thinking, simple looking (best when I don't) or just out and out piss poor setting of the gripper - L14 x F, 1, F, N, N, F
R/H: L13 x 1 rep, L15 x 1 rep, L16 x TnG, TnG, 1, 1 reps

[u]Hammer[/u]
Usual warm ups
Mid finger online x 4 x 1 reps. Reps 1 and 3 were hard and 4 the easiest.

Mobster training log and thoughts

Thursday
On a schedule today with the day written out to see if I can 1) stick to it and 2) be more efficient. That said as per I've left the bloody phone over the road... but I'm on the clock so... One of the new guys supposedly training with me today... no sign. Useless*.

Stretched then
CG Bench
60-kilos x 8 reps, 100-kilos x 8 reps (usual small twinge in right shoulder but now in front), 140-kilos x 1 rep, 157.5-kilos x 6 x 1 reps (No 4 easiest and No 6 toughest)

s/s with

LPD
60-kilos x 8 reps, 100-kilos x 8 reps, 145-kilos x 7, 7, 6 reps

cont s/s bench with

Low row
60-kilos x 8 reps, 90-kilos x 8 reps, switched to one arm at a time with 60-kilos x 2 x 6 reps @ arm

*thought (oft repeated mind) of the day:
I've found myself repeating a statement pretty much like this - we turn away lad after lad from the gates who ask 'can I train in the gym' or similar. I tell them again and again that it's not a standard gym. Now I, like anyone, could always do with a few more quid and some of that could come from coaching. But the moment most actually get a taste of the real thing... they're away. IF he had managed to turn up even late I was going to fuck him off. He apparently wants to train to be able to join the Marines. Well GOOD TIMEKEEPING AND DISCIPLINE are a part of that you dozy moron. Not even a 'I wont be there cos' call. And they wanna train with us. Pish.

Icelandic strongest women

Gemma has been busy. For a start www.sporttv.is has decided to do a webtv feature on the event. Then you have the profiles page featuring some brief bio info on all the very attractive girls competing and finally she's managed a coup in securing Reebok sponsorship. Well done!

Jay a few hours before he went on stage

I had to lighten these a little but not bad at all...

Flex... fast on it's feet

Latest cover

More on Chris Cormier

This photo was taken, apparently, around the time of the Olympia at Golds on Flamingo in Vegas. Chris was, it seems, always a good home boy by the looks of all the other well known faces helping out:

Whey Power Challenge

As per the last few the Whey Power Challenge is our informal gathering held annually the last weekend before Xmas. There are no prizes (although you do need to be a BHSA member if any grip lifts are records for them to be recognized) and no entry fees. All are welcome to join us for an in town at a local pub 3-course Xmas dinner (more later but as per - deposit may be required and if we get more than 20 (as usual) we usually ask for selections to be made ahead of time).

Date: December 19th
Time: 10am*
*start time is flexible and depends on lifts you wish to take part in. But we will be booking the tables at the pub for 2.30pm so we must end 2pm latest and it;'s a 10-20min walk into town.
Events: Usual 5 lift format consisting of
1) Overhead- 1 arm dumbbell is favoured this year with many trying a dumbbell snatch (most found 100lbs or so 'easy' so expect more). However, as per, with their being no prize if you wished to do a big one armed clean and press / jerk no one would hold that against you. You can compete with one or both arms. Biggest weight = most kudos.
2) Squat - assuming my oh so damned fragile back holds together I may even have a crack at this myself.
3) Bench Press - usual no silly shirts rule applies (only cos it's a lot of faffing around). I'll take my usual touch-n-go style but we can ref with a pause if you wish. Spotters will be fellow competitors and we have a choice of 'in the rack' or 'use our bench'. I'm hoping to get 200-kilos this time.
4) Deadlift - Assorted bars to choose from. My personal preference is for the 2-inch / axle and I'm hoping to get 217.5-kilos double overhanded and thus 2.5kg more than the current WR (again back allowing).
5) Grip - assuming my backs not shattered into tiny fragments and I'm not pulling what little hair I have out with last minute dinner questions (no you cannot pay me next Tuesday) it's the 2 hand pinch. My aim to to break the world record (115kg).

If you're up for it let me know. Dinner info and updates to follow nearer the time.

Chris Cormier... goes old school with Dorian

The previously mentioned hook up (maybe 2 years or so they've been talking about it) finally happened and this is the leg workout. Poor Chris looks out of it as he lays on the cobbles at the end.

Video

Zack Khan DVD

It looks like this will be released after his next competition (next weekend) where he is expected to pick up a pro card. The teeny weeny snippets I saw on youtube... look good.

GMV clip of the week

A little more to my liking this weeks effort comes from Branch Warren's ''TRAIN INSANE''. Enjoy

Covers of the latest MD and Powerlifting USA

Strongman Champions League

It seems the SCL have upped their game a notch and managed to add another event to their calander. Courtesy of Ironmind we have the following info on a Spanish event:

Artwork courtesy of Marcel Mostert/SCL.

“Directly after World’s Strongest Man, we continue now with the Strongman Champions League,” SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert told IronMind today. Twelve athletes will compete in six events and the contest will take place in “a real bull fight arena, which is a typical spot in Spain. It will be definitely something different!," Mostert said.

The contest is set for this Saturday, October 10, in Los Barrios - Cadiz. Here is the official start list:

Juan Carlos Heredia - Spain

Andrus Murumets - Estonia

Jimmy Laureys - Belgium.

Martin Wildauer - Austria

Richard v/d Linden - Holland

Fabrice Barbier - France

Ervin Katona - Serbia

Zsolt Szabó - Hungary

Gregor Stegnar - Slovenia

La Jack - Spain

Simon Sulaiman - Syria

The events are: -

Truck Pull

Yoke Race

Car Flip

Log Lift

Farmer’s Walk

Atlas Stones

After Spain, “The next stage will be a week after, in London at Wembley Arena, with the new World Champion Zydrunas Savickas!” Mostert said. “I’m very happy we are able to do a first SCL in England, especially in London. We’re sure it will be a big success!”

Finnish Grip Championships

As I predicted the former WSM did NOT win but did place 3rd (not too shabby). Ironmind reports:


Juha Harju had the winning grip in Finland over the weekend. Janne Virtanen and Timo Tuukkanen are relatively new to grip strength contests, but are having fun and making their presence felt. The top lift on the IronMind Rolling Thunder was 90 kg. Juha Harju set a new Finnish record on the European pinch grip device, lifting 100 kg. Three competitors closed the IronMind Captains of Crush No. 3 Gripper; and Janne Virtanen set a new world record on the double overhead deadlift on the Apollon’s Axle with a lift of 215 kg (beating Andrew D's current effort).

Placings

1. Juha Harju
2. Timo Tuukkanen
3. Janne Virtanen

Heaviest bodybuilding bench??

I'm not sure but 7 plates a side, is 7 plates a side. Enjoy

The new World's Strongest Man is...

Big Z!! It's easy enough to find out the rest of the results sufficent to say that coming into the last day there was 0.5 points between Mariusz and Zydrunas. Many strength affectionados have been saying for some time that Big Z was the man but since the IFSA spilt etc had not had a chance to prove it. Sufficent to say there are many much happier fans this morning. Perhaps not too many in the USA where the noise from the Poundstone camp pre WSM was loud and then during the event were a little quieter. Derek himself seems to have enjoyed his time in Malta from the many facebook photos I've seen.

Image Loz preps for the Apollon's Axle (155kg or so)

For me, co-owning what is called the Whey Gym (we've never actually formerly named it, it;'s just our gym in the warehouse) this years WSM has been all about seeing how well my buddy Laurence Shahlaei would do. It's worth reminding everyone that Loz, as he is sometimes known, has not been doing the sport a great time. It's a matter of... what?? 5 years?? Year one was 'let's see if I am any good'. Year two 'do well in a regional qualifier' - job done. Year 3 'qualify for the Britain's'... job done. Year 4 'make the podium'... out by one spot (4th not 3rd) but he still got an invite to the 08 WSM and won the squat. Year 5 and he said 'I'd like to make the finals...' Well there he damn well was. Again with a squat win (only athlete in the qualifying rounds to do all the barrels).

Loz boat pull.

One day he'll say 'I want to win the World's Strongest Man'. When he says that... I'll be seeing if the local bookies will take a dead cert bet for me.

Loz car deadlift

The photos are from a bunch on Facebook showing some highlights of Loz's journey this year.

Loz with Derek Poundstone

Who dat short arse on the left?

Six feet 2 and he looks tiny

GMV video of Arnold Strongman

GMV's weekly newletter just arrived and the best preview is the Arnold Strongman clip

Video of WSM plane pull

Link

Only a three man highlight... but 3rd man is Loz

Hang on in there Loz

Farmers walk
1. Pudzian - 25,05
2. Poundstone - 32,...
3. Shahlaei - 33,...

WSM Fingals fingers

From SDF (unconfirmed): Big Z (Zydrunas Savickas) has just set an almost unreal 28 seconds (yes that's correct) on ALL of the Fingals Fingers

Excuses, excuses

You have none.

The evidence

Excuses, excuses

The evidence

And those going through to the WSM finals are

Debby the gold envelope please... (sounds of a drum roll)...

1. Shaw (USA)
2. Big Z
3. Poundstone (USA)
4. LPJ
5. Pudzianowski (POL)
6. Pfister (USA)
7. Terry Holland (UK)
8. Loz Shahlaei (UK)
9. Travis O (USA)
10. Dave O (USA)

Worlds Strongest Man

I think Loz's group compete again today doing their last 2 events before the finals. Will Loz continue kicking ass or, more sensibly, hold back a little saving what he needs for the finals now he's qualified. The competitor in me says I'd crack on but my sensible head says... careful, play the game.

Updated... an article on Creatine 'wot' I wrote

Some time back and frustrated by daft questions on the odd forum I wrote this article I updated it today to cover 'bloat'.

A nice side tricep from Branch Warren

The pose that helped Jay do the business

And not even an actual pose but a transition (between one pose and the next):

More from the WSM

Who dat? Dat winner of squat!!

Loz looks like he's qualified

Update: From his brother harry ''loz won both his events today, and has made the final with 2 events to go, said all the british guys are doing well!''

World's strongest man 2009

Latest news...
SDF has the news from day 2... first event: Squat. Not only has he placed 1st in his group but our very own Laurence 'Lozza' Shalaei was the only athlete to do all the barrels! Go SHAHLAEI!

Mr Olympia 2009

Ladies and gentlemen your new Mr Olympia and now 3-time winner... Jay Cutler!!

Olympia Strongest Man

Highlight thus far must be the log. With Ironmind reporting thus: Five athletes succeeded at 400 pounds while Van Hatfield and Scott Weech were the only two athletes to get 440 pounds!

So far so good...

Strongman
A text message via his brother Harry 'H' Shahlaei has Laurence S in second place on his first event (medley) and via SDF and Ironmind it looks like Loz got a 1st on the second event - Truck Pull.

Oh yes... as Loz predicts so it becomes. This years was 'to make the final 8'.

Bodybuilding
And in the el numero event of the year, the Mr Olympia, its proving equally as exciting with no one a clear winner. I've never seen so many 'well I think it...' and they be so different. That said everyone's agreeing on two things 1) Jay Cutler has brought his best game to date as has 2) Branch Warren.

Latest Flex cover

The Whey Consortium: Going back to our roots

Nigh-on ten years ago the Whey Consortium was formed with the vision of providing consumers with easy access to the highest quality, unflavoured protein powders in bulk and at unbelievably competitive prices.

It is inarguable; we were THE FIRST to do this, no ifs or buts!

Indeed, nobody can lay claim to selling unflavoured whey in bulk to retail customers longer than the Whey Consortium; our pedigree - as many MT members know - is beyond reproach!

With this in mind, we thought it might be fun to shake things up and create a little resonance similar in fashion to that caused when we hit the scene for the first time all those years ago.

Our flagship product was always bulk Whey Protein in bags, which is why we have chosen this promotion as the manifest expression of that desire to 'get back to our roots'.

To this end we present: 'Vector'



Vector is: 10KG of unflavoured and instantized WPC80%; Vector is cold processed and of THE highest quality; Vector is rich in BCAA's and has nothing added - no flavours, no sweeteners, nothing!!

If you are looking for an unadulterated Whey Protein of the highest quality to assist in both the fuelling of and recovery from your toughest workouts, Vector is the product you need.

At £67.50 for 10KG INCLUDING P&P the price is also good enough to eat!

If your order is placed by 11am it will go out the same day using a 24hr delivery service*

Click here and buy, buy, buy.

Meet the Olympians and press conference

Photo this page of an inshape Ronny Rockel. Now that's a back.

How daft am I. This morning I was all 'so why no pre-judging yet?'. That's cos it's today d'uh!! Anyway... now I've woken up. I watched the MD video of the conference (Branch Warren's legs... ouch...but in a good way) and there's some photos online too. Check out the new boy Martin... grainey, nasty, nasty :D

MD video of conference

Flexonline photo gallery (13 pages of about 20 shots a page or so)

Dennis James

I wanted to post this yesterday but had problems loading it. Anyway... thanks to IB on MT (all sounds like coded slang eh? LOL) here's a few days out one of Dennis J (I hope he looks the same on stage).

Marcus Ruhl

Interesting clip, if not for the mighty German's physique lacking the qualities of a Mr O top 6 but more for the other possible contenders in the gym at the same time (near the end). Video

NB: note the large screen format and crystal clear resolution. That's a good way to go.

Fingers crossed for the Brits

To all the British lads but esp locals Laurence Shahlaei at the WSM and Lee Powell in the 202 class Mr Olympia - best of luck lads.

2 more days to go.... and then IT'S ON!

Now that's a tricep

MD keeps knocking out the last minute videos to keep the heat on. Today's is Victor Martinez's arm workout one week out. Check out the depth of tricep in this screen grab. Video here

Worlds Strongest Disabled Man competition

Gemma Taylor sent a link via facebook to a nice longish video of an Icelandic event. I'm not so sure it's a full on 'worlds' but it's still good. NB: It's in Icelandic

Link

Branch Warren training legs a few days out

MD has a video of Branch doing his last Metroflex leg session pre the Mr O. Check out this video grab image. Video here

Jay's showing his hand

As of yesterday morning Jay Cutler has put some photos up on his facebook page (21ooo+ friends). Here's one (dated as being uploaded on the 17th):

There's another more recent but it's a little squashed looking.

Olympian Poker

Someone described, just today, the antics of the Mr Olympia pros as 'they're playing poker'. Usually by this time we'd have seen the 'two weeks out', 'one week out' photos of many of the top 10. Thus far all the photos and videos have been covered up. Just today I saw a 'Jay Cutler 5 days out' thread on RX and there he is with about 4-inches of forearm on display. LOL.

Fingers crossed all the lads look mind blowing come the weekend.

Dennis Wolf pre-olympia shoulder workout

Video here

NPC Team Universe 2009 results

Image of overall mens winner Wendell Floyd.

Results here

US Grip nationals results

Top three:

1. Andrew Durniat.......47.9867931
2. Jedd Johnson........47.2273675
3. Dave Thorton.......45.11916427

Andrew placed behind me at Chad's event in the summer and Jedd behind him so the above shows the same positioning. I've not yet met Dave and think he's close to my age. Groupings of the rest of the scoring are quite tight.

Apparently Jedd, like me, was a few inches off a new WR 2HP but grabbed the US record and Andrew had another go, having won with 455, at 470+ on his axle record. Gripper numbers were down on the Chad Woodall event numbers. I was also kinda glad no one got close to my weaver stick record the winning weight being almost 5+ lbs less (13.5 against my 17.85lbs WR lift.... yaaaa go me LOL)

One of my grip buddies holds back planes

Tommy Heslep in the news: http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=91265

US Grip Nationals

Today I have mostly been watching this: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/us-hand-strength-championship-2009

Next weekend...

We launch new prices... The Mr O is on!! and WSM begins. Phew!!

October/November magazines

Your monthly dose of what's on the shelf or available by subscription.

Flex UK

Muscle & Fitness

Body Fitness

Powerlifting USA

Muscle Mag International

An explosion in Blog Views

Muscle Strength and Power News has only been going a few months and I added the counter (page bottom) a few weeks ago. Now I'm sure when I last looked we were around the 2000 views or so...

So imagine my surprise when I see it's now 12000++!!! It's very easy to fake said counters. On many, before you add them, you can pre-set the starting point. I did not. It was dead on zero and yeah I'm sure I was viewing it (mostly following me posting) many times a day. But it's gone crazy these last 10 days. That's a 1000 hits a day.

Thank you all very, very much.