Bodybuilding.com - Mash Monster Number 31: Jeremy Smith.

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Jeremy prefers any exercise that involve the thick bar or wide pinch.

Find all about who the newest Gripboard Mash Monster, Jeremy Smith, see pics and video of his incredible feats of grip strength!

Mash Monster Number 31: Jeremy Smith.

By: Cyberpump

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Here is Mash Monster #31, Jeremy Smith.

Name: Jeremy Smith
Age: 24
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Date of Feat: 1-27-06
Witness: Ron Wright
How Long Grip Training: About 18 months (on and off).
Current Grip Training Program: Grippers, Grip Machine, Block Weights and Thick Bars.
Other Training Info: I train the powerlifts just for fun.
Other Info: I go to Keene State College.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jennie for her love and putting up with me, my family for putting up with me, and Joel for introducing the grippers to me; everybody at The Gripboard, Grippermania, BruteStrength, and Fortified Iron for support and advice; Ron Wright for being my partner in crime; Dr. Aaron Bard for getting my spine back to normal and me back to training and anyone else that I forgot!

Interview

[ Q ] Could you tell us a little about your background in lifting (age, when you started lifting, why you started, what you do now as far as lifts)?

I started lifting seriously when I was about 19. I trained on and off between other sports. Now, I train the squat, deadlift, and bench press each once a week.

[ Q ] How did you get into grip training?

My brother had a really unconventional fitness book written by Anthony Bova, called the "Spartan Health Regime". It was a really "dinosaur" type attitude towards training and grip training is highly stressed.

Many areas were covered including heavy duty grippers, thick bar, farmer's walks, tearing, and holds-for-time. I have always been fascinated with strength, so it was just a natural progression.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Jeremy Smith.

[ Q ] You are now a GripBoard Mash Monster, what would you recommend to those aspiring to close this gripper?

Train your whole grip, not just grippers. Don't neglect the thumb strength. Learn the value of "setting" the gripper.

[ Q ] You are also a Certified Captain of Crush®. How long did it take you from when you first started working on the grippers to closing the #3?

Actually, this is not really applicable to me since I am not certified. However, it took me about 6 months from Trainer to #3 under the old IM rules, and a year for the new rules.

[ Q ] What does your current grip routine look like?

2 days of grippers, and one day of block weights and thick bar training, with miscellaneous thick bar training in between, per week.

[ Q ] How has your grip routine changed since you first started training your grip?

Now I train other things besides grippers. I learned the importance of a strong thumb to match my crushing grip. I have started working with thick bars a lot as well.

View The Video Of Jeremy
Closing The MMG

Windows Media (676 KB)
MPEG (8.69 MB)

[ Q ] There seems to be a significant variation in the frequency of grip workouts among trainees even with the common goal of ultimate grip strength. Have you experimented with workout frequency and it's affect on your training?

Not especially. I just grip when I can. I can say that time off is a good thing for everyone though. You can overtrain pretty easily.

[ Q ] What are your favorite grip exercises?

All of them. Bending nails would be my all time favorite, I suppose.

[ Q ] What kind of starting routine would you recommend for a trainee new to grip training?

Build up the thumb strength right along with the crushing grip. Try using a medium rep routine a few times a week.

[ Q ] Who do you most admire in gripdom?

Everybody on the boards for their support/encouragement/criticism. Basically everyone I have met so far has been great to me!

[ Q ] If you were to start over again with your grip training, what would you do differently?

Start much sooner!

[ Q ] What do you believe is the most difficult grip exercise?

For me personally, anything involving thick bar or wide pinch.

[ Q ] What are some of your personal bests in grip exercises?

I can crush an empty soda can.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Closing The MMG.

[ Q ] What do you believe is the most common mistake made by new grip trainees?

Jumping right into complex routines and methods that require some initial base of strength, such as negatives with a gripper two levels above what you can normally close. Also, people are afraid to do plain old reps on a gripper, because people say reps do nothing for building strength.

I say, that is bullsh*t. Methods work differently for everyone, but I see many people stagnating on a program that implements singles and negatives, yet has no hard rep work whatsoever.

There is a difference between power reps and half-*ssed reps. I'm not saying singles and negatives don't work. I'm just saying, reps work too, and if negatives and singles aren't working for you, you have nothing to lose by hitting reps.

[ Q ] What do you consider to be the greatest grip feats of all time?

I don't really know of enough grip feats to make that assessment. There are just so many different aspects of "grip."

[ Q ] Do you have any parting advice for readers?

Be patient and persistent with your training!

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