[Ben Edwards]

I’ve been training the Index Finger Lift on average every 10-14 days since my last post.

Last night I pulled 121 pounds both righty and lefty. Both were contest-legal pulls. I held the weight lefty for almost 3 seconds at lockout.

Then I loaded 132 pounds and pulled it to lockout lefty. And as soon as I got to the top of the pull – the triangle handle just blew out of my index finger’s grasp. And skinned my left index finger to the point where I will not be able to do any more Index Finger Lift training before the contest. Well, I might be able to do one more tune-up workout before the contest. But that will be pushing it.

My goal for the contest will be 132 pounds for both hands. Al has the USAWA all-time record of 130 pounds.

Al, may I purchase one of these 6″ diameter (5/8″ steel) rings after the contest, for my Highland Games training?

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Thom, I enjoyed your article too! I remember having the teenager recovery and benching 7 days a week for at least an entire summer back when I was 16. Was it productive? I think so. I was 135lbs at 5’10” and benched 225lbs at the end of summer. Nothing earth-shattering, but a pretty decent lift for a kid at that bodyweight. Bench was not paused, just a touch and go single. I was also working full time on a watermelon farm. So I should’ve been doing LESS workouts, not more. But I miss having the recovery to do workouts like that – and more importantly, having the TIME to do workouts like that.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

I have seen the lift a few years back. But I’m not sure the rules were the same as the USAWA version.

Anyone have video of the USAWA version?

I don’t think it’s something I would practice, or train.

But I am still interested to see it in action so I know what to do on contest day.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Thanks, Al!

I was using a 1/2″ shackle. But after reading your post I attached my 5/8″
triangle handle to a loading pin – with the shackle. Total length is right
under 25″. I am still recovering from a few days with the flu. But I had
to test it and see what difference in poundage it made.

On the 5th, I maxed out at 76lbs with both hands.

Yesterday evening I pulled 111lbs lefty. Righty was being testy and was
in the low 70s.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

[b]Quote from dinoman on December 2, 2014, 08:09[/b]
Ben, I sure hope you can make it this year! We have missed you the last few years. The grip champs will be on the second weekend of Feb again, and I’ll try to get it sanctioned this week. Al

I will be there, Al! Thanks for the warm welcome! I have missed USAWA comps.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

[b]Quote from chadul79 on December 1, 2014, 06:29[/b]
Not necessary Ben! I hope to see you there

Thanks a lot, Chad! That means a lot man.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Eric, wanted to echo what the others said about it being a great write-up.

The results are very impressive all around.

I enjoyed reading that Keith Thompson pulled 215lbs on the 2″ vertical bar. We have corresponded a few times over the past few months.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

[b]Quote from dinoman on September 1, 2014, 08:07[/b]
I will have all the highland game equipment available for sell very soon. I’m hoping to be able to sell very good, affordable weights that will still be decent flyers. So keep watching the website!!!!!

This is awesome news, Al!!! I am selling an arm wrestling table and anything else I can think of (my first born, lol) to buy some of your HG equipment. Already in talks with a guy about the AW table.

I have repaired so many cheapie PVC homemade hammers already this year (only been “throwing” again since about June) that I’d rather just invest in a hammer that won’t break every 5th throw. The super light homemade hammers I’ve made are very durable though. Trouble is…a 5lb hammer isn’t going to really have any carryover to a 16lb or 22lb hammer. But I wanted to feel what a 100+ foot throw feels like. Add weight in small increments and then hit 100 feet and then add weight again.

I was looking at the picture of your adjustable power stairs – the one where you can put two hands on it and it attaches directly to the loading pin. If you made the handle smaller, it would be similar to a D-Handle and then guys could load small diameter Olympic plates on there and throw it like a WFD implement. I would assume so at least. It looks bullet proof.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

I have never seen better or more solid bulletproof equipment than the implements built by Al. I hope he is so busy making and selling equipment that he has to hire 10 helpers.

I sent an e-mail asking about the possibility of making Highland Games implements, but I think he’s already busy trying to fill orders.

-Ben Edwards

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Happy belated birthday, LaVerne! You are a very impressive guy. And no, you won’t hear the disclaimer – “At your age.” I wish I had been born with your hands. Every time I shake your hand I remark at the thickness of the palm and fingers, no doubt helped along by a lifetime of heavy manual labor and general working with your hands.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Agreed, that was a heartwarming story, Thom! You are able to make emotions almost palpable.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

I like kettlebells. Quite a bit.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

The first thing that popped in my head was – I am impressed that he is telling the truth! The truth. And not blaming anyone else for his positive test. Not using the old – “Hey, somebody must’ve put ‘steroids’ in my oatmeal the morning of the competition” excuse. Or any one of the 100 versions of that all-too familiar BS tactic.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

Hope it treats Bill well!

I wanted to make a joke about not being allowed to do comps anymore because of the unfair advantage, but some people get bent out of shape about that, lol. Usually those with joint replacements, haha.

I used to have a Facebook stalker that compared getting a knee joint replaced to purposely having a surgeon cut his lower body off at the waist so that he could artificially increase his bench press results in a lower weight class. I advised him to run with it and see how far he got. Never heard back from him. Hopefully he’s doing well benching with half a body. Not like you need the legs anyway, duh.

https://goalorientedtraining.wordpress.com/

[Ben Edwards]

[b]Quote from 61pwcc on August 3, 2013, 06:18[/b]
Ben, is phallus a type of log?

In a way, lol.

Definition of phallus:

1.stylized penis: a picture, sculpture, or other representation of a penis, especially one regarded as a symbol of the reproductive force of life
2.penis: the human penis, especially when erect.

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[Author]

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