Grip Strengtheners can come in many forms. Alone in the RPM Power store, we offer 27 different types of grip strengthening equipment, so you can imagine the variety that’s out there.

Grip trainers are generally smaller items that demand movement from the hand and fingers to get them going. By return, the grip trainer will build strength in the hand leading to a more powerful grip.

People use grip strengtheners for lots of different reasons. From grip-based sports like golf, tennis and martial arts; to rehabilitation and general fitness – grip training devices are something everyone should use to increase hand strength and maintain good hand health.

If your goal is to crush a 300lb (or higher!) grip strengthener like Kenneth – or maybe you’re just starting out on your grip training adventure, it’s all about just one thing: practice, practice, practice.

If you’re new to grip training and aren’t sure which grip strengthener to start out with, we recommend always starting with a grip training device that you can only close marginally. When choosing a grip strengthener, many people will go for one that they can already somewhat close. This is fine for a short period, but what happens when you can quickly close the gripper fully after training for only a few weeks? You have to buy another.

You’re better off starting with a grip trainer that you can only close marginally – this way you’ll be able to spend more time building up grip endurance and strength through daily practice. Even if the gripper seems like an uncloseable beast at first, don’t worry. Give it a squeeze every day and soon you’ll start to notice progress.

We include a booklet containing some practical grip strength exercises with all RPM Power Grip Strengtheners. You can also download the online version on our info page here.

You’re better off buying a gripper that you can close marginally, rather than one which you can already close a little bit.

In general, I warm up with a lighter grip trainer using only two fingers – either the top two or bottom two independently. Then I’ll do some closes: both with the gripper the right way up and upside down (which I find to be the more difficult position). 

This type of grip training usually takes me about 15-20 minutes. Recently though it’s been tough to find the motivation do some training, however with this blog post, I feel like this will reinvigorate my enthusiasm to close the 350lb Grip Strengthener!

In addition to grip strengtheners, I also use other grip training equipment, which I made myself at home. Some examples of pieces I use are:

• A bit of wood with a rope on it, which winds weights up and down
• Metal pinch block
• Metal pinch hub
• Wooden pinch block

I started using grip training devices when I was in my twenties – now I’m almost forty. I lost interest for a while, but then I recently got talking to Rory, (the boss of RPM Power) about how Brexit has stalled shipping and we started chatting about my grip strength and Powerball scores.

I can hold it closed for a good 6-7 seconds.

Kenneth estimates that he should be able to close the 350lb Metal Grip Strengthener in approx. 6 months time! Ken – we’ll be waiting for your update and in the meantime, good luck with your training.