Don’t Let the Economy Hurt Your Training Results
The Common Thread in Almost ALL Aspects of the Iron Game
Do you do any of these lifts in your program? – Squat, Bench, Deadlift, Muscle-ups, Snatch, Clean, Jerk, Curls, Ropes, Pull-ups, Push-downs…
What is the common thread between all of these awesome ways to train, get stronger and build muscle?
It is your Grip.
If you are lacking in the Grip Strength department your performance in all of these lifts will suffer.
While it may be clear to see why Grip Strength is important in lifts such as Deadlifts and Pull-ups where your hands have to Grip the bar and be able to hold on well enough to execute the movement, it may not be as obvious for other lifts, such as Squats.
After all, your upper back and shoulders are taking the brunt of the load when you Back Squat, right?
Let’s look closer.
What is Grip Strength?
Grip Strength is often referred to as just Hand Strength, but really it is much more than that. Yes, the hands are involved, but they are only a part of the equation. Really to have a truly strong grip, you must look as Grip as everything from the elbow down.
Here’s why.
Many of the muscles in the hands actually originate above the elbow at the medial epicondyle (some flexors, pronator) and the lateral epicondyle (some extensors, supinator). And since these muscles cross the elbow joint, they also influence the joint. Remember that point.
Because so many hand muscles start so far up the arm, it really expands the acreage that we have to consider when we set out to train for Grip Strength effectively.
Not only do we have to include training for the hands, but we also have to include work for the wrists, forearms and elbow regions.
Why Grip is Important for Your Training
Most trainees would agree that strong hands would be an asset for strength training and muscle building. After all, if your hands are strong, that means you’ll be able to pull more weight in many exercises, you’ll be able to do more repetitions, and you’ll be able to train longer if need be, right? Yes.
Now, let’s connect a few points…
When your hands are strong you will see better results in the weight room because it will transfer to better performance when performing pulls like deadlifts, rows, and pull-ups.
But what about all the other lifts that do not involve pulling? Is Grip Strength important in those lifts as well?
Yes it is.
A strong Grip, or in other words, a strong and balanced hand/lower arm unit will also provide better stability during lifts where the hands are pressing against the bar, dumbbell or other implement. For instance, when performing the Bench Press, Jerk, Kettlebell Press, etc, you will be better able to execute these lifts when your grip is strong because you will have better control over the implement.
So is Grip Strength important for lifts like the Bench Press, Jerk, Kettlebell Press? Yes it is!
But what about other lifts like the Back Squat? It might seem like the hands are just sitting there going along for the ride, but if you are doing them right, they are doing much more than that.
You see, the hands are also capable of producing what is known as Radiant Tension. In other words, when you squeeze your hands, the tension begins to radiate inward toward the body. By doing this, you can actually increase the intensity of other contractions in the body.
The Back Squat is a perfect example of this. When performing the Squat, you should apply appreciable tension to the bar by squeezing it prior to descent and continuing to apply this tension throughout each rep. By doing so, your upper body will remain more stable, thus allowing you to Squat more weight and do more repetitions.
Grip Strength Equipment
So, now you can see that there are many benefits to be gained from Grip Strength training, right? So the next question is how are you going to get your hands on some equipment that will help you build Grip Strength and do so by hitting the lower arms from all angles?
Here are some examples of equipment you can buy to build Grip Strength:
- Grippers – These things are obsessive and people really love training with them. They give you serious Crushing Grip and provide hours of training fun. Cost – about $20 apiece.
- Sledge Hammers – These are great as well because they not only work the lower arms and hands, but they also incorporate a load of upper body and arm involvement, also contributing to your core training and cardiovascular health, especially if you use them to hit tires or other dense objects. Cost – about $30.
- Thick Rope – These take your Grip, Arm and Shoulder training up another level of intensity, while also dropping bombs on your conditioning. Fantastic training tool. Cost – $90 or more.
Tough Economy
Unfortunately many people these days are on a limited budget and it is tough to invest in tools like the ones above and even though many pieces of equipment can be used to train for Grip Strength and other outstanding strength and conditioning benefits, their costs prohibit many people from purchasing them.
Here is the solution => Home Made Strength II: Grip Strength Edition.
Home Made Strength II is an on-line DVD that is downloaded to your computer along with the bonus manuals and reports so that you can start building affordable pieces of quality grip gear that you can use to get a better grip and thus improve all of your other lifts.
Home Made Strength II – Grip Strength Edition
The Home Made Strength II Package
HMS-2 has been out since March of last year and it has helped hundreds of people start implementing Grip Strength Training into their routine without having to take on another mortgage or get another part-time job.
HMS-2 comes with the downloadable videos, a quick-start guide, and example workouts and drills you can start doing with each piece of equipment you build.
Generally, HMS-2 costs $37, but because it is turning a year old, I am running a special sale and until the stroke of Midnight on Saturday, March 17, 2012, you can get it for just $27, for the anniversary sale I am running this weekend only.
As you can see Grip Strength is the common thread for many lifts. You can’t afford to let it be a weak link in your chain of strength.
And even though the economy sucks right now, you can’t let that stop you from building these very cheap pieces of grip training equipment.
All the best in your training,
Jedd
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
See what others have said about Home Made Strength II: Grip Strength Edition:
“The Home Made Strength 2 DVD is excellent, you explain the construction and use of each device in clear detail with no stone left unturned. The equipment you show how to make is all top notch and either fills a gap regular grip tools miss, or wraps up two or more aspects of grip into one handy implement of grip torture. The instructions are very easy to follow and the accompanying training demonstrations show the versatility and quality of the implements. As always the video and sound quality on your DVDs is superb and the bonuses are so extensive and helpful that they could easily be sold individually. Thanks again for another invaluable product.
Rory Hickman”
“Hey Jedd,
I have the HMS2 DVD as well as some other of your products and just wanted to say how pleased I am with them. I have made some of the equipment from the DVD. Very simple and very cost effective.”
John Galan
Staten Island, NY
“I got the HMS-2 downloadable DVD, and the info is great. I’ve made the modified pony clamp, and it has helped me to rep the COC#1, and I’m only 2mm off on the 1.5.
The Bonus 8 week workout video is also great, giving me some great ideas for mixing up my grip training.
Thanks Jedd!
Chris Hope ”
Articles You Might Also Like:
- Don't Let the Economy Hurt Your Training Results
- Home Made Strength II – Coming Soon
- Home Made Strength
- Home Made Strength II – Grip Strength Edition
- How to Make Home Made Rotating Thick Grips
Tags: forearm training, grip equipment, hand strength training, pinch grip, two hands pinch
March 16th, 2012 at 6:36 am
I haven’t been on this site in a couple weeks but am glad I decided to check it out this morning. I have the weekend off and will definitely be using the free time to make some of the things shown in the 2nd edition of Homemade Strength. The first one was very helpful and really helped diversify my garage training. I can’t wait to see what this one has to offer!