hand-grippers - how much force do the ordinary ones require to close?

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AmadeusM

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I have some department store grippers that are too easy for me (and a lot of other people probably) to close. They usually have red or black plastic handles and you can see them in many stores and many garage sales.

Anyone know their force rating?

The reason I ask is because I want to move to bigger ones, and I don't know if I need 60, 80, or 100lbs. My goal is to start with something that I can barely close once or twice.

Thanks. :)
 
definetely don't start any lower than 100lbs. When I first bought a 100lb pair I was worried that it might be a little too difficult at first. For no reason. I was able to do multiple sets with either hand when I first got it. The 140lb one, by comparison, was surprisingly more difficult at first- now I am working out with it with the near future goal of working up to multiple sets with 180.

Yeah. so. don't go any smaller than 100lbs. If you're deadlifting or jerking large numbers then I'd say go with the 140- especially if you are wanting one you can only do one or two reps with to start.

http://sfuk.tripod.com/articles_03/handgrippers_1.html
the guy at the above link seems to know what he is about. some good info for closing the heavyweight grippers there.

and judging by what he's said, and what you said i nthis thread, you should go with the 140lber. :eek:
 
AmadeusM said:
I have some department store grippers that are too easy for me (and a lot of other people probably) to close. They usually have red or black plastic handles and you can see them in many stores and many garage sales.

Anyone know their force rating?

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

I don't know exactly, They're probably not rated because they are not consistently made?
Probably not enough for you though, especially if you can do 10 with no problem. I was PL'ing for a couple years before buying the (Captains of Crush) CoC grippers. I got the 100lb trainer (T) and it was easy, so I got the next two:
100 (Trainer), 140 (#1), 195 (#2)
I struggle a bit with th #2, but I haven't been training them much.


Sounds like you should get the Trainer-100 (for warming up/cooling down) and at least the #1-140. (Or your favorite brand equivalent).

And stick with low reps (<5, but more sets if you like) and no more than 2-3 days a week.

Hmm. Less expensive then when I got mine :o
CoC : http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/products.asp?dept=8
 
Another thing to consider are the hard gel squares and eggs that Nike make for rock climbers to practice their grips on. I had a light blue one that was pretty tough to squeeze. The egg is probably the best bet though its shape is a real advantage, you can carry it around all the time and squeeze it instead of beating the crap out someone thats annoying you.

egg.jpg
 
I don't know how the plastic ones are rated, but when I first got the 140# Captains of Crush #1 gripper I did 15 reps with the right hand. I was doing the plastic ones I had by time, not reps, 'cause it's a pain to keep count when you're doing several hundred repetitions per set.
Guess what I'm saying is that there's a considerable difference.
I have one of those little egg looking bean bag things. Mine weighs 1 pound, and is the hardest one I could find, but it doesn't compare at all to something like the CoC grippers. Figured it would help work the weaker fingers and help with that final fraction of an inch that's hardest on the grippers, but I don't do either consistently enough to know if it makes any difference. It says "Gravity Gripp-1lb." on it.
 
Ivanko makes a gripper with two movable springs that adjust the tension. That might be better idea if you're not sure what level of gripper to buy, although it's fun to have a few of the Ironmind grippers just to challenge friends.
 
The average sporting goods gripper requires about 45lbs of pressure to close.

As far as grippers, I like:

1) Plate-loaded machines.
2) Ironmind stuff.
3) Tetting's Beef Builders grippers.
 
Well, first of all, I think you guys are waaay stronger than I am. :)

So, 140 is probably too big for me to start. 60 is probably way to easy, since I can squeeze the dept store ones as fast as I can pull the trigger, so either 80 or 100. Being an optimist, I just placed an order from CoC (IronMind) for their trainer (100 lb). That, and I can always buy 80 if it's too big, and keep 100 for later.

Thanks again.

:D
 
Duke05 said:
it's fun to have a few of the Ironmind grippers just to challenge friends.
Click to expand...

It's also fun to watch grown women struggle with the department store ones.. :D

P.S. but then again, I am not sure I would like to be around women with "crushing" grips either. ;)
 
What exactly are the benefits of a superstrong grip?

I prefer the idea of being able to hit someone before he can hit me, and knocking him down.

Not being a wiseguy, just wondering.
 
I like to improve my forearm muscles (and thus grip strength) for my career, as it makes it easier, and less tiring.

Also, in a self-defense situation, it may be very beneficial to grip someone's Adam's Apple or testicles as hard as one can.
 
AmadeusM said:
It's also fun to watch grown women struggle with the department store ones.. :D

P.S. but then again, I am not sure I would like to be around women with "crushing" grips either. ;)
Click to expand...


Just remember, it will do little good if it is easy to close, but if it is too hard, you can do forced reps and negatives.
 
AmadeusM,

Thanks for the info. I don't know, maybe I will try them some day.

Maybe I'm afraid to find out I'm just a girlie-man with a sissy grip. That would suck. :(
 
I can see myself doing that while watching a movie. Maybe I'll get one.

Should I start with #4? :D
 
alright amadeus!

if you hold the gripper upside down of how you normally would and with your thumb near the end of one handle you can isolate your thumb with a kinda isometric pinch. the regular motion doesn't work the thumb that well so I've started doing this recently myself. I press my fingers against my leg to make sure I don't use them when Im doing this.
 
Hey, those department store models aren't exactly worthless though. When I was into Martial Arts, I used those wimpier ones to strengthen the fingers. Most of those have hollow handles, and you simply put a thumb into one hole and a finger into another one and try to squeeze them together. Not very easy, I'll tell you. Even the wimpiest ones are kinda hard used that way.
 
Being a knife nut (aren't we all?), and seeing everything in terms of tangs, I have to wonder how far down into the aluminum handle the steel prongs (that make up the spring) go...hmmm.. :)

Start with #4 he said??

I don't think my entire family, together with the cats, and a neigbor or two, all put together, could close a #4. :D :D :D
 
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