Captains of Crush

[Randy Scheingold]

Need advice on training with CoCs. I just bought a trainer, Level 1, and Level 2. After 2 weeks I can close the trainer 7 times (I'm weak...) with my right hand and 3 times with my left hand. Looking back I probably should have gotten the guide/sport (which ever the next down is)...but I don't feel like spending the $ on it now. I do have a cheapo pair that I use for warm ups...but those I can close like 20 times no problem.

How does everyone train with CoCs. I've been doing the following:

1) Every 4 to 5 days (usually same day as either DL or Halting DL) but always after my barbell lifts are done.
2) I started with 10 sets of 2 for each hand
3) Then today did 6 sets of 3 (last set AMRAP)

I was going to shoot for 5 sets of 4 next time....and really just start adding reps from there.

Does that make sense?

any other ideas?

And, my right hand is much stronger than my left. I can almost close the 1 with my right....I miss 1/3 of my Trainer reps with my left still.... Do I need to slow down my improvement on my right hand to keep it in pace with my weaker left hand?

props for the best hand job joke that surfaces because of this thread

[Meshuggah]

Once a week.

[hector_garza]

Need advice on training with CoCs. I just bought a trainer, Level 1, and Level 2. After 2 weeks I can close the trainer 7 times (I'm weak...) with my right hand and 3 times with my left hand. Looking back I probably should have gotten the guide/sport (which ever the next down is)...but I don't feel like spending the $ on it now. I do have a cheapo pair that I use for warm ups...but those I can close like 20 times no problem.

How does everyone train with CoCs. I've been doing the following:

1) Every 4 to 5 days (usually same day as either DL or Halting DL) but always after my barbell lifts are done.
2) I started with 10 sets of 2 for each hand
3) Then today did 6 sets of 3 (last set AMRAP)

I was going to shoot for 5 sets of 4 next time....and really just start adding reps from there.

Does that make sense?

any other ideas?

And, my right hand is much stronger than my left. I can almost close the 1 with my right....I miss 1/3 of my Trainer reps with my left still.... Do I need to slow down my improvement on my right hand to keep it in pace with my weaker left hand?

props for the best hand job joke that surfaces because of this thread

Yes. It makes sense.
I picked up some CoC grippers as well.

I've been doing 3 sets of 5 reps with the #1 for 2 weeks now. Today I upped it to 3 sets of 6 reps. I can't usually close all the reps with my left hand, so I get partial reps. For instance, I'll do 6 reps (totally closed) with my right hand, then follow up with a set of 6 reps left handed, but perhaps only 3 reps will be totally closed. The rest will be partial.

Both my hands are getting stronger. I don't think it makes sense to not get one hand stronger while the other catches up.

Have you thought about any other grip work? I'm a fan of reverse curls and of the Iron Arms forearm strength training device (sounds cheesy, but is awesome).

[Simon Rest]

I've been doing 3 sets with the trainer, adding reps when I can, and finishing with a single set with the #1 - starting at closing as much as I could and holding on to it, up to 2 reps per hand now. Train it 3-4 times a week.

[marcf]

Once a week.

I use it twice a week after I work arms.

[John Hanley]

Need advice on training with CoCs. I just bought a trainer, Level 1, and Level 2. After 2 weeks I can close the trainer 7 times (I'm weak...) with my right hand and 3 times with my left hand. Looking back I probably should have gotten the guide/sport (which ever the next down is)...but I don't feel like spending the $ on it now. I do have a cheapo pair that I use for warm ups...but those I can close like 20 times no problem.

How does everyone train with CoCs. I've been doing the following:

1) Every 4 to 5 days (usually same day as either DL or Halting DL) but always after my barbell lifts are done.
2) I started with 10 sets of 2 for each hand
3) Then today did 6 sets of 3 (last set AMRAP)

I was going to shoot for 5 sets of 4 next time....and really just start adding reps from there.

Does that make sense?

any other ideas?

And, my right hand is much stronger than my left. I can almost close the 1 with my right....I miss 1/3 of my Trainer reps with my left still.... Do I need to slow down my improvement on my right hand to keep it in pace with my weaker left hand?

props for the best hand job joke that surfaces because of this thread

I like the amrap thing. I wouldn't worry at all about sets x reps. Just get as many reps as you can in 7-10ish minutes. Might be triples, a bunch of doubles and then singles. I'd do 2-3 amrap sets a week. Certainly don't let grip training compromise your deadlift sessions.

Then, twice a month or so, do a max rep set. When you eventually hit 15 reps, jump up to the next CoC level and repeat.

[Tom Narvaez]

I'm gonna take the plunge and hop on this hype train.

However, as a rule, I hate density sets and find them utterly demotivating. It's just not something I can buy into psychologically.

Anyone got some suggested reading on how to program these things?

[Simon Rest]

I'm gonna take the plunge and hop on this hype train.

However, as a rule, I hate density sets and find them utterly demotivating. It's just not something I can buy into psychologically.

Anyone got some suggested reading on how to program these things?

When I ordered mine iron mind included a little programming booklet. It's at work but I think it basically said 3 sets of 5, 3 times a week and then heavier singles.

[Chris McCarthy]

I'm gonna take the plunge and hop on this hype train.

However, as a rule, I hate density sets and find them utterly demotivating. It's just not something I can buy into psychologically.

Anyone got some suggested reading on how to program these things?

The Gripboard - but don't blame me for what you find there.

It's a good idea to get a footing of reps, but eventually you'll need to get good at closing hard Grippers so you'll need to get used to overcrushes, negatives, cheat closes etc...the most important thing is that I would always recommend grippers as part of a grip routine - a little bit of pinch, a little bit of thick bar and a LOT of extensor work to keep the elbows happy.

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

I train my grip a couple of time a week, more or less (I haven't been as consistent as I would have liked).

I started with the Sport, doing three AMRAP sets.
Once I got to three sets of 10, I moved on to the Trainer.
When I could get to three sets of ten with the Trainer, I introduced the 0.5.
I am getting close to doing three sets of ten with the 0.5, so next step is the number 1 (which I already have).

I think this is covered in one of the little booklets you get when you buy the CoC.

IPB