Bodybuilding.com - Mash Monster Number 38: Aaron Corcorran.

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Aaron does better with higher intensity and less often.

Aaron Corcorran is the newest Gripboard Mash Monster. See the pics and video of his incredible feats of grip strength. Learn more about him right here.

Mash Monster Number 38: Aaron Corcorran.

By: Cyberpump

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Here is Mash Monster Number 38 Aaron Corcorran.

Name: Aaron Corcorran
Age: 33
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 227 lbs
Date Of Feat: April 21, 2007
Witness: John Clark, Marco Scozzarella
How Long Grip Training: 11 months

Current Grip Training Program: Working each hand with different core exercises to keep things interesting. The last 2 months I have been working thickbar and RT lefty, and Grippers righty about 4-6 days a week. Also doing a greasing the groove set just about every morning. I also have been doing a lot of wrist work to better support the increases about 3-4 days per week and pinch and short bending 1-2days per week.

Other Training Info: Most of my other training for the last 5 months has been for weight loss. 3+ days per week in the gym, and 6-7 days per week doing something active like walking, treadmill, or hiking.

Other Info: I've lost about 40lbs in the last 5 months.

Acknowledgements: The Gripboard forum - for helping give me both the knowledge and motivation to train for this. The KTA program - for giving me the initial foundation with grippers, and technique. John Eaton, and Wes Peart - for talking me into going for the MM1 cert. and Heidi for putting up with my obsessive training.

Interview

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

I first started lifting when I was 11. I grew up in Texas, and school sponsored football started pretty early. Lifting was initially for that purpose. Throughout high school I set many lifting records for my school, both for class and school.

In high school I switched my primary sports focus from football to the throws in track & field. I got a track scholarship to the University of Arizona in '92 and lifts went up from there. In '97 I blew a disc in my back in a non sports related injury and it all stopped. It was about 9 years before I started training again (May, 2006). My current lifts are mostly laughable now as a result.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Aaron Corcorran.

[ Q ] How did you get into grip training?

I thought I had a fairly decent grip and apparently other people I work with did too. One of my friends at work told me one day that they had a powerball league at work and that I should try it as the guy leading it a that time was being a jerk about winning. I said ok, and after playing with the powerball for a couple days got 13444rpm and took the lead.

It felt really good the way it was making my hands and forearms feeling. Almost like a ghost of the strength I once had. I decided to look around on the net for stuff related to grip strength. I found out Ironmind grippers were considered the standard for grip strength so I ordered a Trainer and #1.

Then a couple days later I thought what if I can close both of those when I get them. So I ordered a #2, and #3 as well. When the grippers came in I could close the Trainer and #1 Right and almost the #1 Left. 2 days later the #2 and #3 got there and I could barely close the #2 as well. Shortly after I found the Gripboard and have been hooked since.

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

Train hard, and train smart. Learn everything you can because knowledge is Power. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It could save you months of training time.

Click Play To Start The Video.

[ 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?

I am not yet a COC. But it was about 2.5 to 3 months from what I remember.

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

It varies but I have been doing a split training thing lately to make things more interesting and focus on some weak points. I do something pretty much everyday. 4-6 days a week I do grippers with my Right hand, and Thickbar or Rolling Thunder with my Left.

I also do 3-4 days per week of wrist work to better support the gripper increases I've been getting. Then 1-2 days a week of pinch and Bending. I try to watch how my body is doing pretty closely though and when gains fall off or I get some of the effects of overtraining I change the routine.

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

I'm able to handle more volume and higher intensity better than when I started. But I train less per workout at a higher level than when I started and am able to train a lot more often without overtraining. I also take better care of the different aspects and areas of grip strength than when I started which has helped a lot.

[ 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 have and for most things I do better with higher intensity and less often. I did KTA twice and it worked well. However for me with grippers I find the best results doing smaller workouts more often. Of course I think that changing up these things often will continue to shock your muscles into getting stronger without as many plateaus.

[ Q ] What are your favorite grip exercises?

Bending, Block front levers, Grippers

Click Image To Enlarge.
Closing The MMG.

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

A very basic routine that hits all areas of grip to build a good base. One without too much emphasis on any one area. There are several good beginner programs on the Gripboard.

[ Q ] Who do you most admire in gripdom?

The pioneers, Joe Kinney, John Brookfield, Richard Sorin. Also anyone who has the fortitude to stick with it.

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

I would have spent more time building my base before focusing on grippers.

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

Short steel bending, also the most fun.

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

Grippers I have gotten my new IM 3.5 to within a whisker of closing, I have closed a BBSE set at 1/4" mount to replicate the MM3. My Red nail cert. took about 8 sec. I have certified on the FBBC Huge Shiny Bastard. I have pulled 186 on a Rolling Thunder, I pulled a Blob, and 5 10's - both hands.

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

Overtraining.

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

Joe Kinney's hydraulic close of the #4, Mark Henry not only pulling the Millennium Dumbbell, but putting it over his head and Gary Hunts destruction of a 4" shiny and 6" King of all Shiny Bastards.

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

Listen to your body, train smart, make goals then work to achieve them, and most importantly have fun.

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