Important Gripper Acronyms / Terms Featured in this Article:

• TSG – Torsion Spring Gripper(s) – Grippers like the Captains of Crush Grippers
• Straight Coil Spring Grippers – Grippers like the Vulcan or V2
• RGC – Redneck Gripper Calibrator, a device which Rates Gripper Strength at Close
• Richard MacLean – Person who pimped out his RGC to rate Vulcans
• HG – Heavy Grips Grippers
• CoC – Captains of Crush Grippers, registered trademark of IronMind Enterprises
• #3, #4, etc – CoC Grippers from IronMind
• Level 3, Level 4, etc – Settings on the Vulcan or V2 Gripper
• Black Spring – Current spring issued with V2 Grippers. Equivalent to Gold, Silver Black Dip, possibly others.

How to Compare the Vulcan / V2 to Torsion Spring Grippers

There has been a decent amount of information put out regarding the strength levels and the ratings of Torsion Spring Grippers like the IronMind Captains of Crush and other similar grippers. With the development of the RGC device which is able to rate these grippers by testing how much weight it takes to touch the handles together, we are now able to compare grippers from different companies, despite the different numbering systems that the companies use.

In the following video, I talk at length about the results that we have found from rating grippers using the RGC device.

However, with all of the information out there for TSG ratings, where this type of information has fallen short is with the Vulcan V2 Gripper, and many people want to understand this better. They want to know where the various levels of the Vulcan V2 Gripper stand against the Torsion Spring Grippers.

Below is a chart that was put together by Richard MacLean. It shows strength ratings of the springs on the Vulcan V2 Gripper across various settings. But, before you check it out, you must understand a few important points…

Important Details about Gripper Strength Ratings

1. All springs vary somewhat. Some springs can be just naturally harder than others, even springs from the same batches. Frequent use, stretching the springs out on the hardest settings, and poor care or irresponsible use can all have an effect, but for the most part these numbers can be used to judge what you have as well.

2. Torsion Springs (regular hand grippers) act differently from Coil Springs (Vulcan). With Torsion Spring Grippers, when you squeeze them, there is also some twisting that can take place, so you have to redirect force in order to make the handles move together. With Coil Springs, they primarily just stretch and lengthen. The point is, the springs act differently, so you have to take that into consideration as well.

What is Included in the Table

So, let me explain exactly what the table below shows. In Column A, you will see the ratings results from Richard M. on a fresh spring with very few closes on it. He tested the spring all the way out to Level 24. In Column B, he tested the same spring again, this time going all the way to 27.

You will see that the strength levels dropped at almost all of the settings on the second time through, most likely because going out to Level 24 weakened the spring somewhat, dropping the numbers.

This spring weakening (to this degree) will most likely not take place in your training with the Vulcan or V2 because there will be no need for you to go out to Level 24. Also, if you do go out to Level 24, you won’t be holding it there for an extended time, which may have taken place during the strength rating process. Upon writing this article, I know of NO ONE in the world who has ever closed this Gripper at Level 24.

Long story short, to get an estimate of the strength level of your Vulcan and Spring, provided you have not use the spring way out on the ends and done foot stomping or chest crushing, and as long as you aren’t hanging weight off the spring to deliberately weaken it, your spring is probably closer to the first run of numbers that Richard produced.

Also, take note that Richard used a Silver Black Dipped Spring on his V2, which has been rated equal in strength to the Black Spring and the Gold Spring. So if you have those springs, you can bank on very similar strength ratings.

Rich MacLean’s V2 RGC Ratings Results

Here are the numbers that Richard MacLean found during his testing.

  Column A|     Column B |
  Fresh Spring|     Seasoned Spring |
  L3 = 66.8   |     L3=55.6 |
  L4 = 72.7   |    L4=61.1 |
  L5 = 72.7   |    L5=61.1 |
  L6 = 79.0   |    L6=64.7 |
  L7 = 84.8   |    L7=72.1 |
  L8 = 88.0   |    L8=75.2 |
  L9 = 95.5   |    L9=80.8 |
L10 = 102.2   |   L10=88.2 |
L11 = 106.6   |   L11=89.0 |
L12 = 114.5   |   L12=97.2 |
L13 = 119.8   |   L13=104.7 |
L14 = 121.5   |   L14=107.3 |
L15 = 131.7   |   L15=115.2 |
L16 = 139.1   |   L16=122.9 |
L17 = 141.9   |   L17=126.5 |
L18 = 150.7   |   L18=133.8 |
L19 = 159.4   |   L19=142.9 |
L20 = 160.9   |   L20=146.5 |
L21 = 172.0   |   L21=153.8 |
L22 = 177.7   |   L22=165.0 |
L23 = 182.2   |   L23=167.9 |
L24 = 187.7   |   L24=175.5 |
                       L25=184.3 |
                       L26=189.2 |
                       L27=197.4 |

Big thanks to Richard MacLean for not only producing these results, but also for letting me post the results here.

Comparing Vulcan V2 Ratings to Torsion Spring Grippers

Unfortunately, if you are looking to use those numbers as direct comparisons to Torsion Spring Grippers, then you are out of luck. With the Vulcan, the force at close reads out much lower than with a torsion spring gripper.

For instance, the bolded numbers above are the ranges that I usually equate to the feel of a #3 Gripper, levels 13 to 15, depending on the stiffness of the spring.

David Horne has pointed out in many cases I have read that with the Black, Gold, and Silver Black Dip spring, level 13 is right near the difficulty of a #3, when the spring is fairly new.

Now, if you have used the same spring on a Vulcan, a V2, and a Wrist Developer and do one of those movements every workout, then the strength of the spring might be a bit reduced due to all the use, and so the squeeze may not feel like #3 strength until you get up around Level 15.

Either way, that range is what you want to shoot for if you are gearing up for closing the #3.

Other Comparisons and Estimates

We can also assume that a Level 22 is also pretty close to a #4 Gripper close. This is based on the fact that I have seen video of Paul Knight closing both a #4 and Vulcan Level 22. Harder #4′s would be up in the range of Level 24 or higher. These are just my personal estimations.

David Horne lists the following estimates on his site:

• #2 = Level 7-8
• #2.5 = Level 10-11
• #3 = Level 13-14
• #3.5 = Level 17-18
• #4 = Level 20-21

Remember, these estimations are for the Black, Gold, or Silver Black Dip springs. There may indeed be other springs that are equal in strength that I am not familiar with. I am just going on my own experience with them.

In addition, if you do not have IronMind CoC Grippers, in order to estimate where your Vulcan closing strength lies against Torsion Spring Grippers, you can use the estimates above and compare them against results taken from testing done with other similar Grippers.

For instance, if you know that your Beef Builder Elite Gripper rates at 159 on an RGC, then that is slightly above most #3 grippers, which these days come out around high 140′s and low 150′s. A 159 TSG would probably be around a Level 16 on a Vulcan (estimating).

I hope this post has been helpful for you. If you are in need of any further explanation, please let me know – since this topic has been such a source of confusion for so many people, I would be glad to go back and add in details where they are needed. Please just leave a comment below.

Thanks and all the best in your training.

Jedd

Thanks for the feedback on Part I of 2011′s Most Popular Videos. As promised, here are the rest of them, number 5 through number 1.

If you missed Part I, click here: Best YouTube Videos – 2011

#5 – How to Set a Gripper

Regardless of the actual set depth that you use when training on grippers, the set-up is the same. I show this in the video below. The way you position the gripper in your hand and how you have your thumb in relationship to the rest of your hand makes a HUGE difference in your performance. This video has been called the best setting demonstration on-line.

If you want to close BIG GRIPPERS, you gotta check out my DVD: CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination

#4 – Build Upper and Lower Body Strength at the Same Time – Killer Goblet Squats

Every so often I like to really challenge myself to do something which has most likely never been done. Such was the case with this video. Instead of goblet squats with a puny 24-kg kettlebell or a normal dimensioned dumbbell, I used the monstrous, globe-headed Inch Dumbbell which weighs in at 172-bs, and I got it for a set of 10. Looking back, I do wish I would have gone a touch deeper on many of the reps, but my stupid wind pants were hindering me.

Incidentally, I do train with Kettlebells and have a few Kettlebell videos as well.

#3 – Big Bicep Exercise – Crazy Bicep and Forearm Pumps

This one made a climb to the top of this year’s videos very quickly, as I just posted it in December. It has also gotten a lot of good feedback because this exercise is completely BAD ASS. You gotta try this piece.

#2 – Pinch Grip Training: Inverted Dumbbell Deadlift

People are loving the simple grip training exercises. This one gives you all the benefits of standard Block Weight training without having to cut up dumbbells or go on a hunt for a wild goose / unicorn implement. Work this type of lift regular for awesome hand strength.

See the post on Diesel, Simple Grip Training

#1 – Sledge Deadlift for Wrist Strength, Stronger Grip, Bigger Forearms

The Sledge Deadlift involves picking up a Sledge Hammer by the end of the handle while balancing a coin on the head, trying to keep the entire implement level. It will hit your Grip, Wrists, and Forearms. It is very beneficial so try this one out too, even if you have to choke way up on the handle – it will still build strength for you.

Check out some of my other videos on How to Build Grip Strength

So there you have it. My Top 10 Most popular videos, in terms of views, for the year 2011.

What was your favorite video? Post a comment below and I will put it up later on in the week.

Got something you want demonstrated? Post a comment and I will do my best to shoot it in the upcoming weeks.

Thanks for checking out the site, and don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter above and my YouTube Channel as well.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Come Leave a Comment on My Channel. Click the image below:

Each and every day I get new visitors to my site. If you are new, I want to welcome you.

Please take the time to put your email into one of the boxes to the right. You can get some of my free reports, sign up for the RSS feed, and get email updates every time there is a new post.

I want to share with you some of the most popular videos I put up last year.

I looked at all of my videos on YouTube that I uploaded last year and grabbed the top 10 most popular ones and pasted them below.

As you will see, I have three main focuses in my training.

First and foremost is Grip Strength. I work to develop as strong of a Grip as possible for the Grip Contests I compete in and because I have seen the benefits of a strong grip in my other training. Also because I love Grip Training and Grip Sport so much, I love talking about it here on the site, sharing my experiences and helping others succeed.

Next, I love Strongman Training, both Strongman like the competitions involving Atlas Stones, Log Lifting, and Odd Objects, and Strongman style training involving Feats of Strength such as Bending Nails and Tearing Cards.

Finally, I do a great deal of training with the objective of building muscle and strength. While I am not the biggest, most muscular, or strongest, I am very well rounded and understand the proper technique of lifts and want to make sure readers do lifts correctly and safely so that they can enjoy their training and see benefit.

It’s really all about helping others succeed in their goals. Much of what I post is based on questions I get from readers who are shooting for goals and want to know how to get there. Helping you attain your goals is awesome for me, so keep me posted on your journey.

So, again, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter and make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, so that you are always up to date on what is going on here at DieselCrew.com.

Now let’s check out 2011′s top videos – Enjoy!

#10 – How Often Should You Train with Grippers

Grippers are easily the most popular form of Grip Training and one of the biggest events at Grip Competitions. Unfortunately, there is not nearly as much good information about Gripper Training as there are people trying to sell them, so I put out this and many other Gripper Training videos last year.

Check out the post here on Diesel: Gripper Training Questions

#9 – Slim Lever – Grip Strength Challenge for Slim the Hammer Man

Of all of the Grip Strength Challenges I ran last year, this one was perhaps the most special, because it was devoted to Slim “the Hammer Man” Farman, who was recognized by being inducted into the York Barbell Hall of Fame Last Year. The Slim Lever is a very intense sledge hammer lift, and if you can do it by the rules described in the video below with a 16-lb hammer or heavier, then you are the freakin’ man!

Check out the post here on Diesel: Slim the Hammer Man Farman

#8 – Full Body Tension Movement – Camel Clutch (posterior chain)

For this one, I wanted to figure out a way to replicate some of the effects of the Glute Ham Raise, if you don’t have one. This variation is something that someone can do to blast the posterior chain until you save up your loose change to get the real thing.

Check out the post here on Diesel: Innovative Posterior Chain Training

#7 – Backwards Blob Lifting

See more Blob Lifting Videos

#6 – Build Muscle Mass and Strength – How to Do Rows the Right Way

I hate when I see exercises being done incorrectly on the web. It’s one thing to do them incorrectly if you have been training for many, many years. However, when new trainees see long-time veterans doing movements on-line incorrectly and they try to replicate that form, the new trainees can get hurt pretty badly. Since Rows are such a beneficial movement, I wanted to put this one out there and people seemed to get a lot of value out of it.

Check out the post here on Diesel: How to Perform Dumbbell Rows

Those are 10 through 6 for the year’s most popular videos. Check back later in the week for the rest of the 2011 Top 10 Most popular Videos.

Make sure you are up-to-date. Sign up for updates in the box below.

All the best in your training,

Jedd

The coolest thing about putting together products for all of you is the feedback that I get. Here is a note from Chase Scott, who recently picked up CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination.

  Jedd,

Once again, CRUSH was great. Even though I am a Grip Authority member and follow all of your stuff, I still learned a tremendous amount from the dvd. A big thing for me was my set for the Vulcan 2. I noticed a huge difference in my next workout just trying to nail the technique. This dvd will help anyone but I would have to say that if someone is just starting out or somewhat new to grippers, they NEED to get this dvd. I can see how it could easily take months or even years off one’s learning time. I think most people would agree with me that I wish I had this video when I first started. I wouldn’t have so many bad habits to break and I could have saved a lot of time on trial and error. As usual, thanks for putting together an awesome product that is easy to follow and offers something for everyone.

Chase

When I started this project, it began just as a bonus video for those who were buying Vulcan Grippers from me, but before I knew it I had put together the Ultimate Gripper Training Resource.

I continually added to this video over the course of two months in order to make it as complete as possible. Still, as complete as it is, it does not drag on. The DVD is a little over two hours worth of material that is broken up into Modules so that you can focus on one aspect of Gripper Training at a time.

The video also contains close-ups and slow-motion clips, especially in the very important technique sections to ensure that the learning points are clear and well understood.

If you want to be good at Grippers, then feel free to just bounce around and try things here and there and learn by trial and error.

But if you want to cut to the chase and start going in the right direction, right now, then pick up CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination.

Click the Banner Above

All the best in your CRUSHing,

Jedd

I got into Grip Training in 2002 when I was introduced to Grippers by a friend named, Rick Walker. From Rick, I learned about training to close big Grippers and different feats of strength like tearing cards and bending nails. At that point, all I wanted to do was rip one deck of cards and I was willing to do anything I needed to in order to accomplish that feat of strength.

Soon, Smitty got a #1 Gripper from IronMind. I thought squeezing Grippers was a bit boring at the time, so I didn’t get my own right away. Instead, I just raced Smitty to closing the number 1 at the gym and while we rode in the car. We nearly wrecked the first time I closed it while riding in the passenger seat…

“YOU CLOSED IIIIITTTTTT!!!!” he said as he swerved back into his lane, avoiding two or three cards in the process. I’ll never forget that day!

I eventually tore my first deck of cards, but it wasn’t until I began practicing all forms of Grip and Wrist Strength training.

Once I came to understand that strengthening my hands in multiple dimensions was so important for ripping a deck of cards, I continued doing it and I also began seeing my performance in other more traditional movements as well, such as the Bench Press, Overhead Work, Squats, and of course Curls.

As I got more interested in developing stronger hands for lifting purposes, I began getting more and more interested in Grip Sport as well and before I knew it, I had half a dozen grippers. Soon I was buying them from others who had extras or who had bought them in a rush, but really had no idea how to train with them and figured the best thing would be to just unload them on someone else.

I’ve lost count of how many times I have seen grippers for sale on-line because people just gave up training with them, their drive burnt out, their interest dwindled down to nothing, mainly because they were sick of beating their heads against a wall trying to make progress with them.

When I first found out about Grippers, there were three main companies making and selling them and one other company was getting out of the business.

The three companies that were going strong were IronMind, Beef Builder, PDA, and the other company was Lemley.

IronMind, I am sure everyone reading this has heard of. I would say they are the most widely recognized name in gripper training with their Captains of Crush line. They, as well as Beef Builder, are still around and going strong. PDA, Piedmont Design Associates, went out of business in 2004 if I remember correctly.

The other company, Lemley, produced left-handed grippers, meaning their springs were wound in the opposite direction of the Grippers we have today. This was fine, but the problem was that after 50 to 100 closes, the glue holding the handles would fail and the handles would come off.

Then in 2004 or 2005, another style of Gripper came on the scene, Heavy Grips. They are still around and are being sold on countless sites all over the internet. Resellers and drop shippers love these grippers because they come in a nice large set with lots of options to choose from. The problem with them, in my opinion, is their spring. Somewhere along the lines they changed their springs and got weaker. When they first came out, their 300-lb Gripper was about equal to an IronMind #3. Once they went to the new shinier springs, the strength levels changed.

As the years have gone by, many more Gripper manufacturers have popped up. Robert Baraban makes a large variety of Grippers, even varying the handle spread for smaller handed individuals. NutritionGeeks.com began marketing their own gripper line, the T-grippers, made by Warren Tetting, the same person who makes the Beef Builder line. Nowadays, even GNC has jumped into the Gripper Market, selling their own Grippers at their stores, which I believe are modified Heavy Grips Grippers, although I am not 100% sure.

The gripper companies and lines that I have mentioned here are nowhere near a complete list. These are just a few examples of Torsion Spring Grippers, the kind with the knurled handles and the twisted spring. When you throw the adjustable grippers and the coil spring grippers in there, the number of grippers available gets even larger.

My point is not to point out the sheer number of types of grippers on the market. I will get to my point in a moment though…

Think back to the last time you bought a tool, like a handsaw. How about when you bought your last car? How about your last computer / laptop / or other electronic gadget?

What was it that came with each and every one of those things to help you be sure you were able to use them properly?

That’s right – an OPERATOR’S MANUAL.

Now, think back to the last time you bought a Gripper. Did it come with an operator’s manual? Or how about even a guideline of instructions for use?

No, it probably didn’t. In fact, I don’t know of any Grippers on the market that do come with instructions on how to progress with them. No instructions on how to set them in your hand, no advice on the best way to train with them and no guidelines as far as what to expect or how to succeed with them.

This is where I come in.

I have designed the next best thing when it comes to Gripper Training, my new On-line DVD, CRUSH: Total Gripper Domination.

After working on this for the last several weeks, and reworking it until I was happy with it, it is now ready to go.

This Piece is TWO DISKS!

Check out everything CRUSH has in it:

Module 1 – Bulletproofing the Hands and Lower Arms

Nothing will set your Gripper training behind worse than having injuries. I will show you the Preventive Measures to do now in order to keep injuries away and keep the gains coming.

Module 2 – Types of Grippers

I cover many types of grippers and show their differences, strengths, and weaknesses so you can understand what you have and in order to make wise purchases down the line

Module 3 – Gripper Training Basics Everyone MUST Know

Here I cover the basics of grippers, their terminology, techniques, and help lay a solid foundation for your gripper training.

Module 4 – Supplementary Training: Strength from Start to Finish

Closing a Gripper requires you to move the handles through three stages: the Set, the Sweep, and the Finish. When you watch this module, you will discover how to build strength through all three of these individual parts of the close.

Module 5 – Supplementary Training: Addressing Weaknesses

Many trainees do not realize the role that individual parts of the hand can have in closing Grippers. In this section you will understand why each part of the hand is important and how to make them strong and powerful.

Module 6 – Advanced Training Techniques

Once you have developed a strong foundation in Gripper training, you may want to challenge yourself even further. In this section, you will learn ways to take your Gripper work to the next level in order to develop upper levels of crushing grip strength.

Module 7 – Other Important Gripper Training Concepts

In this section I will cover with you additional concepts you can start building into your training to accelerate your progress and strength gains. These are concepts that are often skipped, missed, or ignored by new Gripper trainees.

In addition to the basic program, I have also included several bonuses for the electronic version only.

Module 8 – BONUS Gripper Training Program

During the Spring and Summer of 2011, I developed a Gripper Training program that produced more “Personal Records” for me than anything I have ever tried. Up to this point, I have showed this Gripper Training Program only to my On-line Coaching Clients and V.I.P. Customers, and it has gotten overwhelmingly positive reviews. This Program is completely free when you pick up CRUSH today.

Module 9 – BONUS Gripper Strength Rating System Demonstration

I will take you through the Gripper Strength Rating Process on one of my Grippers in order to show you how Grippers are rated in Grip Sport. This is a very interesting process and will serve to educate you on real, tangible, numeric classifications for Gripper Strength Levels.

Module 10 – BONUS Top 10 Gripper Training Mistakes

I gave this video away for free during the pre-launch period, but I am including it in the bonuses for those who did not see them.

Module 11 – BONUS Top 3 Gripper Training Myths

This video was given away as a follow-up to the video above only to those who subscribed to my Gripper Training Tips Newsletter.

CRUSH is a culmination of every bit of hard-hitting instruction I have learned and developed over the years related to Gripper Training.

If you are serious about your Gripper Training but need some direction, or if you thought it was hopeless to master the grippers you bought months or even years ago, but gave up due to lack of knowledge, than you better check this piece out.

All the best in your training.

Jedd