Mash Monster Number 32: Erik Franz.

By: Cyberpump

Name: Erik Franz
Age: 41
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 363 lbs.
Date of Feat: April 1, 2006
Witness: Frank Henritzi
How Long Grip Training: 3½ years
Current Grip Training Program: Contest-oriented only
Other Training Info: Stone Tossing, Highland Games, Strongman.

Acknowledgements

I want to thank Bill Piche for creating the Mash Monster Certification process and my buddy, Franky, for organizing the cert and serving as a witness. Furthermore, I'd like to say "Thank You" to Thomas Becker who always motivates me to do some training.

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 with weight training at the age of 16, actually to gain some weight. That time I only did biceps curls.

[ Q ] How did you get into grip training?

A friend of mine Arno Rumpel, introduced the grippers to me and I just wanted to close them.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Erik Franz.

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

Set yourself reachable goals and work hard for them - but don't overtrain.

[ 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?

Five weeks. Six weeks till the certification.

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

I don't train regularly. I only train contest-oriented but I compete in every contest I can attend.

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

I started working my crush with grippers only. Today I'm doing all exercises which are needed for a comp (pinch, vbar, RT...).

To View Top-Selling Grippers, Click Here.

[ 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?

I never experimented in such a way.

View The Video Of Erik Closing The MMG Windows Media (1.33 MB) MPEG (17.1 MB)

[ Q ] What are your favorite grip exercises?

Closing hard grippers.

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

Besides working the elemental grip areas, work your extensors! I'm doing this with rubber bands.

[ Q ] Who do you most admire in gripdom?

Dave Morton and Shane Larson.

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

Nothing.

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

For me it's bending.

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

MM1 close, #3 and RB260N noset, 295# on the LGC vertical bar and 333# in the 2 hand rim lift.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Closing The MMG.

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

Some want to improve too fast. Injuries are the results.

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

Joe Kinney's #4 close.

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

Set yourself goals and work towards them. Visit the GripBoard if you want to learn about grip strength.

none

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