Grip Strength Training FAQ

"Stronger Hands are the Ultimate Secret Weapon"

John Wood- World authority on hand strength

Grip strength has long been a popular talking point amongst strongmen and those into training. A strong grip will separate the men from the boys and give you bragging rights and not to mention advantages in your sport and training.

Australian kettlebells supply two types of specific hand trainers, the Super Gripper and The Captains of Crush Grippers from Iron Mind. This page will help answer any questions you may have about improving your grip strength and getting the most out of your grip training.

Which gripper should I use, the Super Gripper or The Captains of Crush?

The Super Gripper is an all in one hand trainer. The adjustable design allows you to vary the resistance from 60lbs all the way through to around 350lbs of pressure in 5lb increments.

The Captains of Crush Grippers are the world bench mark with grip training. Beautifully crafted in the USA this classic design offers ten different levels of resistance from the 60lb Guide to the off the charts 365lb #4. There is a gripper for every strength level.

If you're serious about your grip training we recommend you purchase the Captains of Crush and work your way through the range of grippers. This is a great way to compare yourself with others from around the world. If you're not fussy and you want a value for money grip trainer then the Super Gripper will suit your needs perfectly.

What are the different levels of Captains of Crush and where should I start?

The following is a guide into the ten different levels of Captains of Crush grippers

The Guide - 60lbs. Getting started right or do rehab.
The Sport - 80lbs. Perfect warm-up for weekend warriors
The Trainer - 100lbs. The most popular gripper. Everyone should have one of these.
#1 - 140lbs. Believe it or not, most males cannot close this first time out.
#1.5 - 167.5lbs. An in between gripper.
#2 - 195lbs. If you can close this one you have a very strong grip.
#2.5 - 237.5lbs. OK, this is getting serious.
#3 - 280lbs. This will separate you from most others. Close this and you'll join the ranks of the gripping elite.
#3.5 - 322.5lbs. Crazy! Not likely for mortals.
#4 - 365lbs. Forget it. More people have walked on the moon than have closed this gripper.

What is the best way to train my grip?

We recommend you get a heavy duty gripper and take it seriously. Grip strength is just as important as other areas of your training. Get serious and treat with respect and you'll make fantastic progress.

Any training tips?

Don't over train your grip- 2-3 days a week max. Working to fatigue too often can cause you to go backwards. Also, learn how to set the gripper properly.

Ironmind's classic book 'Captains of Crush Grippers' is a must read. Co-authored by Joe Kinney and Nathan Holle- the first two people to close the #4.

Do your grip trainers require any maintenance?

No. They have been designed to be long lasting without any need for repair or maintenance.

What will a stronger grip do for me?

A stronger grip can't hurt your performance. The added confidence of a strong grip will filter down with all of your training. With a strong grip you'll get stronger all over.

How do I become certified with IronMind?

Easy. Shoot over to this webpage for all the info.

Can I see a list of all the certified grip men?

Check out the list of the strongest grip men here.

Can you give me more info?

If you want to learn more about grip training and the benefits of a strong grip check out the following websites;

IronMind
Functional Hand and Strength

Want to learn more about our gripping products? Check out our Captains of Crush and Super Gripper

See grip training in action.