How hard should you grip?

Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Strength Training and other Exercise topics.

How hard should you grip?

Pretty hard I would say. Most people barely use their hands/forearms when they grip weights, and instead allow their hands to be bent 90degrees backwards when they grip weights. Instead, if the fingers are straight then the fingers, back of the hand and forearm should always be in line with one another. When you grip, keep that line intact at the back of the hand and forearm and just grab the weight by wrapping your fingers around it. Here's why:

A trainer named Roger at a gym I worked at in southern California was having his (very strong) client do a chest press while laying on a stability ball (the big round bouncy ones) utilizing 60lbs. weights in each hand. They had focused mightily on grip and proper posture in general, so his forearms were strongly gripping the weight. After a few reps, the ball popped and the client fell to the floor! He easily could have broken both wrists and had the weights fall on his face/shoulders/chest/abdomen and break something. Luckily the client had a strong grip and just fell to the floor while still gripping the weights, only annoyed that the ball broke. He was totally fine with no injuries.

This is why stressing proper form and posture is so important! When gripping weight, make sure you're gripping the weight strongly and that your wrist is straight in-line with the rest of the forearm. Let's prevent injuries.

   

Comments

2/12/2009 9:25:32 AM
Tony Allen said:

So, based on one guy popping a ball; all weightlifters should use a very strong grip regardless of taking away resistance to the muscle that we are focusing on? That is brilliant.


4/22/2009 3:30:17 PM
Nicholas said:

Thanks Tony, you obviously weren't being sarcastic...
By 'strong' I mean 'in proper posture', aka with hand not cocked backwards like most people do in the gym. Keep the wrist firmly straight, and in no way will that 'take away' from the other muscles being exercised - it will strengthn your grip more and better exercise your wrist-flexors.


9/4/2011 10:51:32 AM
Krys said:

This is one thing my powerlifting coach has always stressed to us. When going with a weight you have never lifted before, a strong grip is probably the most important thing of the lift. Without it, you could drop the weight, snap your wrists, or worse. Thank you for making this point known.




Name:


URL: (optional)


Comment:


Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Exercise Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Nicholas Frank