Name: Thomas Becker Age: 39 Height: 5'9" Weight: 210 lbs Date of Feat: 12-02-2007 Witness: Erik Franz How Long Grip Training: 4 years Current Grip Training Program: Gripper, pinch, fatbar Other Training Info: Basic strength training Acknowledgements: Special thanks to my buddy Erik who always motivates me.
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 started weightlifting when I was 18. I mainly concentrated on the basic lifts like deadlift, bench press and squats.
[ Q ] How did you get into grip training?
A friend of mine had a broken wrist, and his doctor recommended some forearm training, so he bought a Handgripper. One day, he visited me and showed me the gripper and I was able to close it for 13 reps. He also told me that there are grip competitions and I was directly interested in it so I started training for it.
Click Image To Enlarge. Thomas Becker.
[ Q ] You are now a GripBoard Mash Monster, what would you recommend to those aspiring to close this gripper?
Train twice a week with handgripper: 1st day negatives and no set training, 2nd day repetitions on an easier 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?
I'm not a certified COC although I closed a #3 Gripper several times in front of a witness. After my certification attempt I was informed that again a rule change took place and therefore the certification was not accepted. It took me 2 years till I was able to close the #3.
[ Q ] What does your current grip routine look like?
I train the basic grip exercises: Gripper set and no set, Pinch, Vertical Bar, Appolons Axle, Wrist Curls and Bending.
[ Q ] How has your grip routine changed since you first started training your grip?
At the beginning I only trained with handgripper, now my training is primarily Contest-oriented.
Thomas Becker Closing The MMG.
[ 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 effect on your training?
At the beginning I did 5 training sessions a week but that was way too much so I changed it to 3 times a week. This seems to be the best training frequency for me.
Click Image To Enlarge.
