High Country Vigour

This year’s Grip Championship was an all-Colorado event.  Nisha and Kim lifted in flight 1 and Sanjiv, Jarrod and Joshua lifted in flight 2.  Weigh-ins and rules briefings were conducted and the meet was contested using the one official system. We started with Pinch Grip, Deadlift, One Hand.  This is the first time the lift was contested at the Grip Championship and mistakes were made.  Flight 1 set the plates up vertical to the platform and had top lifts under 30 pounds.  Essentially, they did a Pinch Grip Strict, One Hand.  Jarrod correctly pointed out the error and Flight 2 set up the plates horizontal to the platform.  Flight 2 all had good lifts at 100 pounds or more.  Kim and Nisha declined the option to repeat their lifts. For record purposes, they should be recorded as Pinch Grip Strict, One Hand. Next was the Deadlift, Fulton Dumbbell, One Hand.  This was the fifth time this lift has been contested at the Grip Championship, and some ...

Saturday we threw in for the birthday bash being hosted by Clark's Gym.  Jarrod was planning on hosting, but unfortunately had to cancel.  Kim, Josh and I cranked through the lifts pretty quickly. Jefferson Lift - This was not too bad and I had a personal best of 355 pounds.  It is nice to come out of the gate strong.  50 year old 95kg record is 424 pounds. (Kim - 175, Josh - 390) Clean & Jerk, Dumbbell, One Hand, Left - This was tougher.  I felt good warming up and decided to open at 82 pounds.  My next attempt was a miss at 92 pounds.  I prefer using my right hand, but the right hand record is 105 pounds while the left hand record was open. (Kim - 45, Josh - 105) Vertical Bar, 1 Bar, 1" Right - Another scenario where I wanted to post an open record rather than try to beat the existing record.  I opened at 106, made 131 and missed 156.  My left hand record is 170. (Kim - 86, Josh - 186) Anderson Press - I really do not like my set up for...

Three of us took on the USAWA Club Championship Lifts.  We were without Jarrod who came to officiate. The lift selection was tough. Snatch, Dumbbell, One Hand Zercher Turkish Get Up Deadlift, Ciavattone I was pleased with the results. Kim - 27.5-85-175-44 - Total = 331.5 pounds = 630.5 points Josh - 72-225-72-330 - Total = 699 pounds = 650.5 points Sanjiv - 72-245-50-325 - 692 pounds = 700.7 points We will have to see where we stack up against Clark's Gym and other clubs.

Our local venue had a blast with the Ground to Overhead Challenge.  Kim, Jarrod, Josh and I squared off to attempt the Clean & Press, Clean & Push Press and Continental to Chest & Jerk. As the weights should get heavier as we go, I will list the top lift in order Kim - 70-75-75 pounds Sanjiv - 135-145-155 pounds Jarrod - 165-185-165 pounds Josh - 155-175-165 pounds It turns out the Continental to Chest & Jerk did not suit any of us.  Jarrod nearly made a 185 pound attempt but was unable to complete the Jerk.  I was planning on cleaning my 155 pound attempt, but received it low and had to work it up my chest.  Looking forward to seeing the results from Clark's.

There are (4) USAWA Lifts that require a Roman Chair. Bench Press – Roman Chair (A6) – 55 records Abdominal Raise – On Roman Chair (D2) – 21 records Extension – Back (D12) – 22 records Roman Chair Situp (I21) – 46 records The last time the topic of a Roman Chair was discussed in earnest was in 2011 on the forum and the website . Al does an excellent job of providing some history of the device, early lifts and the USAWA lifts. My revisit is a little more on the practical side of actually securing a device that meets the USAWA standards. Tuff Stuff “Roman Chair” I unofficially tried to do these lifts on commercially available Tuff Stuff “Roman Chair” that had an angled pad which does not meet the USAWA specifications. I considered having a shop cut and re-weld the post to make it comply with the rulebook but abandoned the idea. Dino Gym Roman Chair with Adjustable Safety Clark’s Gym Roman Chair with Adjustable Bench Height Frank Zane on a Roman Chair Bruce Lee’s Original Roman Chair The...

World Wide Grip Battle Head Promoter: Jedd Johnson Local Promoter: Sanjiv Gupta Date: February 7, 2026 Location: Lakewood or Greeley Events: 1.       20mm Grippers 2.       Euro Two Hands Pinch 3.       IronMind Axle Deadlift 4.       SSE Anvil Entry fee: $15. Please contact Sanjiv Gupta if you plan to attend. Please bring your CPW treated grippers, my highest calibrated gripper is RGC 92 Time: 9:30 – Weigh In 9:50 – Rules 10:00 – Contest Start 2:00 PM – Approximate end depending on attendance

The fledgling High Country Vigour club completed its 2nd year with (6) members.  We were able to host (7) events including (3) USAWA championships.   I participated in another (14) event remotely and traveled to (2) events.  These numbers do not include the (4) postal events and (12) BSAG events.  My daughters and I traveled to Nationals in Albany.  Ratna and I traveled to Belfast for Worlds. It was a tumultuous year as an organization with the Board of Directors rolling over multiple times, grievances filed and overall low enthusiasm for all-round in the second half of the year.  I was elected Secretary, resigned and was brought back on the board as VP.  Joe is the current President, Bill is the current Treasurer, Eric and Chad are board members at large. 1/18 Bayou Beast Bash (remote entry, 4th out of 7 entries) - Remote 1/25 Ed Zercher Memorial Strength Classic (remote entry, 4th out of 4 entries) - Remote 3/1 Colorado Single Arm Challenge (7th...