The Movement Minneapolis Grip Strength Decathalon Contest, 14 May 2011

I am excited to bring you news of a new contest for you to test your might.

In the fall of 2010 Movement Minneapolis hosted David Hornes Worlds Strongest Hands Series, which was a great success as the largest grip contest in the world with 100 athletes competing globally.

Worlds Strongest Hands Series, Leg 4 Minneapolis

The grip community is growing, and interest is gaining. Maybe you have considered trying it for yourself? If so the Movement Minneapolis would like to offer another opportunity for you to have friendly competition.

This year I will be hosting a grip contest in Plymouth Minnesota. The date will be 14 May 2011.

This contest will be the Movement Minneapolis Decathlon, 10 events designed to challenge the overall hand and grip strength. To my knowledge this is the first time there has been a contest with so many events. This contest will tax the athletes much more than any previous contest which has been held in the USA.

Events:

1. Two Hand Pinch on the adjustable European pinch apparatus. 3 attempts for lift to 16″ standard, rising bar.
2. Grippers from Parallel Set Position. I plan to use the David Horne adjustable Vulcan Hand Gripper (VHG) unless someone loans me a set of measured grippers. If I can get that it will move to standard torsion grippers. I will have 4 springs here (White, Orange, Gold, Wasp, each spring offers 21 levels of difficulty) 3 attempts, rising bar.
3. Overhand Axle Deadlift, 2″ thick smooth non-revolving barbell from Submit Strength. Bar is same diameter as Ironmind axle but heavier. Lift will be from floor to standing “lock out” position. 3 Attempts rising bar.
4. 2″ Vertical Bar Lift, 2″ lift off the floor with the FBBC 2″ diameter vertical bar. Score will be total left + right hand. 3 attempts, rising bar.
5. Middle Finger Lift, 2″ lift off floor with FBBC “Double Bastard” loading pin. Total will be left hand+right hand, 3 attempts, rising bar.
6. One hand Deadlift, Stronger Grip Plateau Buster. Overhand grip for 2″ lift, 3 attempts strong hand
7. Coin pinch Lift, lift will be done by pinching a US Quarter attached to a weight stack. 3 attempts, rising bar.
8. Farmers Hold Challenge, lift will be done using two Ironmind Rolling Thunder handles attached to 120 lbs dumbbells. Athlete will deadlift both handles and hold them for time. Longest time wins. 1 Attempt.
9. Steel bending, Double Underhand Grip, range of steel stock will be offered from soft HRS 3/16 stock to stainless steel 5/16. 3 attempts, 40 degree bend in 30 seconds.Everyone will use the same set of 4″X8″ wraps which I will provide.
10. Pull Up Bar Hang Challenge. Athletes will have 1/2 body weight added to their body using a dip belt, and will hang from a pull up bar. 1 attempt for longest hang.

Classes:

There will be four classes for this contest, Beginner, Open, Elite and Women’s.

• Novice class: The novice class is open for those who have not trained seriously in the grip arena before. The spirit and intent of the novice class is a fair and level playing field for new comers to the sport. I will not allow any COC’s, Mash Monsters or seasoned grip athletes to compete in Novice class.
• Open class: This class is for all comers to compete in. This is the recommended class for anyone who has trained grip sport, or who routinely trains with heavy weights.
• Elite: This class will be for seasoned grip athletes. To compete in the Elite class you must be able to close a #3 COC, Pinch 185 lbs, and lift 340 lbs on the axle.
• Womens class: For all ladies who are interested in competing.

Note: This contest is open to any person age 16 and older. Minors under 18 years old must have express parental permission. If you have any questions on what class you should compete in please contact me for additional guidance.

All contestants are asked to be at Movement Minneapolis no later the 930 AM, the first lift will be at 10 Am prompt.

Scoring: This contest will be using “reverse strongman scoring system” (is there an official name for this?) which awards the 1st place  winner 1 point, 2nd place 2 points, 3rd place 3 and so forth. Winner of the decathlon is the person with the lowest points in their class. Lowest possible score is 10 points, highest possible is 100. In the event of a tie both persons will receive the same number of points, for example if two people lift the same weight for 2nd place, each person gets 2 points and the forth person gets 4 points.

Worlds Strongest Hands Series, Leg 3

Prizes: I will award medals for 1, 2, and 3 in each class. Additional bonus prizes will be awarded to include DVD’s, fitness equipment, T shirts and more (further details pending)

Location: The contest will be held at Movement Minneapolis, 2089 East Center Circle, Plymouth MN (CLICK HERE FOR MAP). We are located 1/2 mile East of I-494 and Highway 55. The location is about 12 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis.  I would like to have events both in and out doors weather permitting. Rain, snow, or heat wave we will be a go!

Travel arrangements: For athletes who are coming in from outside the Twin Cities, I recommend the following hotel Best Western Kelly Inn, it is located 1/4 mile from the gym within walking distance.

Food: During the contest will have water and some snacks available for athletes, and it is recommended you bring your favorite snacks with you in case you need more food. We will have a group dinner after the contest for all who are interested in attending in the local area.

Additional Equipment/Uniform: Athletes are asked to wear a T-shirt (any color/any design) and exercise shorts/pants for the contest along with clean athletic footwear. Wrist straps and gloves are specifically not allowed. Wrist bracers or support equipment is not allowed. I will allow contestants to use a lifting belt for the axle deadlift. Chalk for the competition will be supplied by Movement Minneapolis, no others are allowed. Tacky is specifically not allowed. Athletes are allowed to wear elbow warmers and/or sweat bands provided they offer no support advantage for the event. If you have any specific questions not addressed here please contact me for more guidance.

Sponsors: If you are interested in sponsoring this contest please email me.

Worlds Strongest Hands Series, Leg 1

It is my intention to make this the finest grip contest in the United States, and I believe this will be both the perfect chance for you to try your hand at Grip Sport or a chance for you to prove yourself in a challenging, friendly environment.

I will post additional information in coming weeks as well as training tips for the contest events.

If you know you are definitely attending, please let me know ASAP. I will be adding names to this page as the competitors announce themselves.

My final request, I am looking for some great people to compete against in the Elite class. For all the really dedicated grip athletes, come on out and kick it with me for a day.