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

[devo55]

If you can do 5, it's already time to get the next one.

I did 21 good clean slow reps. yesterday with the T (100 lb.) gripper. But...I still can't fully close the #1 gripper even once (140 lbs.). So, for now I am warming-up with the T, then doing negatives with the #1. I'll get there, but the #2 gripper is pretty far off at this point.

Guess the point I am trying to make is that the grippers are pretty big increases one over another.

Jeff

 

[OwenM]

The difference from one gripper to the next is too big, IMO. Once you get to higher reps, you're really not building that much strength any more.
Not sure how well it will work with my small hands, but I'm about to order this(got it in my shopping cart already) to try out: http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/prodinfo.asp?number=1387
and maybe another #3, since mine seems much harder than another one I tried a few years ago. Seems like I read there can be up to a 50# variance in the harder grippers...

 

[devo55]

The difference from one gripper to the next is too big, IMO. Once you get to higher reps, you're really not building that much strength any more.
Not sure how well it will work with my small hands, but I'm about to order this(got it in my shopping cart already) to try out: http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/prodinfo.asp?number=1387
and maybe another #3, since mine seems much harder than another one I tried a few years ago. Seems like I read there can be up to a 50# variance in the harder grippers...

I need to try the Gripper Helper too. It might be a good bridge between gripper levels. I agree that as the reps. get up there, you are less effective at building strength. In fact...it looks like I am there with the "T", as you point out. Have you tried any of Ironmind's other grip strength builders?

Jeff

 

[russ leffler]

I am a prosecutor in Ohio. I have this horrible case where an 11 year old ends up with a fisker buried to the hilt in her chest. coronor says one entrance wound twice width of knife with five wound tracks in chest, liver cut deep. two tracks almost exit little girls back. foster father says he pushed her after she threatened family. I am woried about suicide as a defense. Can a eleven year old do that stength wise?

 

[OwenM]

I've only tried the grippers, #1-3.
Didn't see much point in buying the #4
I just ordered the helper, and another #3...

 

[Cougar Allen]

I am a prosecutor in Ohio. I have this horrible case where an 11 year old ends up with a fisker buried to the hilt in her chest. coronor says one entrance wound twice width of knife with five wound tracks in chest, liver cut deep. two tracks almost exit little girls back. foster father says he pushed her after she threatened family. I am woried about suicide as a defense. Can a eleven year old do that stength wise?

If anyone wants to respond to that please do so in the other thread: prosecutor wants help

 

[klattman]

I did 21 good clean slow reps. yesterday with the T (100 lb.) gripper. But...I still can't fully close the #1 gripper even once (140 lbs.). So, for now I am warming-up with the T, then doing negatives with the #1. I'll get there, but the #2 gripper is pretty far off at this point.

Guess the point I am trying to make is that the grippers are pretty big increases one over another.

Jeff

I didn't say he should be able to _close_ the next, just that he should start working on it, as you have with your negatives...high reps are only useful for warming up, IMHO.

The differences between these are too large and they should really make "half-sizes" or something

You can try and find an adjustable one or different brand and split the difference.

 

[AmadeusM]

Let's say a person cannot close a particular gripper, but can do let's say 25 reps with the gripper one level below.

Now, the struggle with the larger gripper, over a period of weeks or months, I am assuming that act in itself (although there's no full closure) should be building muscle and strength, no? And perhaps this will culminate in the closing of that particular gripper?

(Of course, I am assuming this is all up to a point, with that point being different for different people, i.e. my genetics pretty much dictate that I have no chance of closing the #4 or even #3 ever.)

 

[bob bowie]

Yes, google "isometrics" or "isometric strength" for the theories behind it. Little by little, the gripper should close.

 

[HoB]

I did 21 good clean slow reps. yesterday with the T (100 lb.) gripper. But...I still can't fully close the #1 gripper even once (140 lbs.). So, for now I am warming-up with the T, then doing negatives with the #1.
Jeff

That is, I think, pretty much the best way to do it. People respond differently to different types of training. As long as you don't pound out more than 15 reps per set, I am pretty sure that the training is still building strength.

Neither would I give up hope to reach a certain goal. If you keep at it you are likely going to succeed. When I first got the #1 I could close it once, just so. But I still worked 3 sets of 10 reps (nobody said that I closed all 10 reps fully, but each rep I gave my very best...red face, vains popping kind of effort). By now I found sets of 3 reps the best. The grippers get so hard that many reps in on set are just not really possible anymore (once you have mastered them yes, but not while you are training on them). Many like to work on singles, personally I seem to get more out of it if I give it immediately a second and third try before I take a break. You have to try out what works for you the best. I also found the straps very helpful.

I don't think you would be able to tell your genetic capabilities before you train seriously. The lightest guy to have closed the #3 was somewhere in the 130# range and the youngest guy was 16 years old . Joe Kinney is a genetic abnormalty and the Holle brothers as well, but I think that most people would be able to close the #3. But few people have the dedication that it takes to do it. It may take years.

The #4 is so hard that you are reminded of a car suspension. The funny thing is that there is so little purchase that even assisting with the other hand isn't going to let you close a gripper that is much too strong. You are only going to bruise your knuckles or squish your fingers. I would give the #4 to anybody (who isn't certified for #3 or #4) and tell him to go ahead and use both hands and all the strength in the arms......it won't help !

 

[klattman]

Let's say a person cannot close a particular gripper, but can do let's say 25 reps with the gripper one level below.

Now, the struggle with the larger gripper, over a period of weeks or months, I am assuming that act in itself (although there's no full closure) should be building muscle and strength, no? And perhaps this will culminate in the closing of that particular gripper?

(Of course, I am assuming this is all up to a point, with that point being different for different people, i.e. my genetics pretty much dictate that I have no chance of closing the #4 or even #3 ever.)

Suggestions for the tougher gripper:
1. Warm up with the lower first.
2. Attempts to close the harder gripper, sets of 5 attempts. You won't close, but you get it as close as you can each time.
3. Find a piece of leather or something that is as thick as the remaining uncloseable distance between the gripper handles. Close the gripper with it in there and hold it for time, gradually using a thinner aid. Attach weight to the leather strap etc. to make it tougher.
4. Negatives: Assist the tougher gripper closed with your opposing hand or side of your leg, then resist the opening of the gripper as slowly as possible.
5. Wait at least 1-2 full days between any two tough sessions.
6. Find an 'In-between' gripper of a different brand, or an adjustable gripper, and get that one first.
7. There are lots of other ideas: Check out "mastery of hand strength" by John Brookfield.

Most of all, have fun and make sure you get sufficient rest.

 

[devo55]

Thanks for the tips guys. I thought I was pretty strong until I found the Captains of Crush grippers. They are "unreal", compared to the run of the mill gripper. It is fun to have a challenge and there are benefits for my weightlifting, handgunning and knife-handling.

Need to get my teenage sons who play football involved with these things. Grip strength is of benefit to linebackers...lol.

Jeff

 

[OwenM]

I need to try the Gripper Helper too.

I got this stuff just now...the new #3, and Gripper Helpers. I forgot the helpers come as a pair. If your hands are big enough, you could use both of them at the same time, adding 44# to your gripper. I'm having a hard time using both at once, but my hands are small. I like the difference one makes on my #2. Not very noticeable except for at the end, the hardest part.
The new #3 is a bit smaller than my old one. I don't know if there is a variation in their resistance, or if that teeny little size difference helped, but I came within about 3/8" of closing it straight out of the package with no warmup. Further attempts had pretty pitiful results. Guess I should have warmed up a little first :yawn:

The top #3 is the old one. Look how much smaller my #2 is. I can actually get a solid grip on it instead of feeling like I'm hanging by the skin of my teeth.
I'm thinking about calling them and seeing if they'd handpick a small #3 for me. Maybe you can see why

 

[AmadeusM]

I did 19 reps today (on the first set) with the right and 12 with the left.

Could do only 6 last Friday (4 with the left). Must have been really tired on Friday?

At what # of reps is it recommended to move up (or try to move up) to the next gripper?

 

[klattman]

I did 19 reps today (on the first set) with the right and 12 with the left.

Could do only 6 last Friday (4 with the left). Must have been really tired on Friday?

At what # of reps is it recommended to move up (or try to move up) to the next gripper?

If you can do 5 or more reps, it's time to start _working_ on the next. You won't neccesarily close the next one, but it's time to start.

These are always tougher with the left hand due to the way the coil is (it kind of opens in the left hand) and how it wants to rotate in your left as you close it.

Sounds like you are doing well...