Andrew Durniat & the Inch Dumbbell
by Al Myers
Andrew Durniat lifts the Dino Gym's Inch Dumbbell Replica at the 2010 Dino Gym Grip Challenge.
USAWA member Andrew Durniat did something at the York Barbell Festival that not very many lifters have done – he walked with a pair of Inch Dumbbells! I was busy with the USAWA Heavy Lift Nationals at the time he did it, and unfortunately missed this feat. I really wish I could have seen it! He walked at least 50 feet, and then after he dropped the dumbbells, he picked them up again and walked back to the starting line. I am just glad Jedd Johnson, of Diesel Crew, caught this unbelievable Inch DB walk on video and uploaded it on YouTube (YouTube Video of Andrew’s Inch Dumbbell Walk). Without this proof, I might even have a hard time believing it!
I have an Inch Dumbbell Replica in the Dino Gym. Most of the time it is nothing more than a heavy doorstop – as most of the gym members can’t even budge it an inch off the floor. The interesting thing about it is that it LOOKS liftable, but only after repeated failures and shaking your head in defeat, do you realize what a grip challenge it really is. The Dino Gym’s Inch Dumbbell Replica has only been lifted by FIVE people, all of which are great grip lifters. Let me give you a list of these guys, because they deserve the recognition – Matt Graham (the first one), John Conner, Dave Brown, Matt Vincent, and now Andrew Durniat. Andrew lifted it with ease at my 2010 Dino Gym Grip Challenge which was promoted by Dino Gym member Ben Edwards. It seemed like he could hold it forever when I took his picture of him doing it. At the York Festival I compared my hand size with that of Andrews. It was humbling to say the least. His fingers are at least an inch longer than mine, which is a very important part of most gripping feats. In the future, Andrew Durniat is a name you will be hearing alot of in the world of strength!