When it comes to rock climbing and bouldering, grip strength is one of the most important aspects that differentiates a mediocre climber from a pro. The main question that arises here is how do you train your grip? What if you don’t have unlimited access to a rock-climbing gym or what if you cannot go out climbing on real rock faces now and then?
This is when grip strengtheners come into play. They work as a supplement to help you train your grip for rock climbing. The best part is, even if you don’t have a hangboard or a pull-up bar at home, you can use grip strengtheners or hand grippers to keep up with your gains.
When we talk about grip strength for rock climbing, there are three types of grips that you should work on. These are:
- Crush Grip
- Pinch Grip
- Support Grip
The crush grip involves all your fingers and your palm. The pinch grip, on the other hand, only involved your fingers. As far as the support grip is concerned, it is used for providing support for long periods of time and requires stamina and muscular endurance.
Hand grippers help you improve your overall finger, wrist, palm, and grip strength. They are an ideal way to amp up your climbing. For beginners, the best grip strengthener is the FitBeast Hand Grip Strengthener Workout Kit, since it comes with all the necessary training tools.
Benefits of Hand Grippers
Hand grippers are a great way of targeting hand and forearm strength that you can only gain from climbing on real rock faces or in climbing gyms. Grip strength is something that most beginner and intermediate-level climbers lack. Hence, hand grippers are the best way to target the muscles that will reinforce your climbing.
Most of our jobs don’t require a lot of finger and palm usage which is why these muscles are not trained to hold onto crevices and holds for extended periods. Hand grippers can help you train your finger muscles as well as tendons. They also improve overall muscle coordination. These grip trainers can even help you train your muscles when working a desk job.
Types Of Hand Grippers
There are two main types of hand grippers on the marker:
- Compression Grip Strengtheners
- Expansion Grip Strengtheners
The compression strengtheners rely on closing your hand, while the expansion grip strengtheners help you improve your hand-opening movement. Both these grip strengtheners target a different set of muscles. The compression grip strengtheners help in training muscles that you need while climbing while the expansion grip strengtheners help in training antagonist muscles, which can help to prevent common climbing injuries including the ones caused by overtraining.
It is better to start training with both types of grip strengtheners. To understand the type of workout regimen you need and to see if your grip strength is improving, you can invest in the GRIPX Digital Hand Dynamometer.
This device can help you measure your grip strength with high accuracy. It has a measuring capacity of 90 kgs and also denotes whether you have weak, normal, or strong grip power. It also comes with a 5 years warranty.
Are Grip Strengtheners Better Than Hangboards?
Although both grip strengtheners and hangboards are climbing-specific training tools, they work on completely different muscle groups. Hangboards are commonly used to strengthen the tendons in your fingers while grip strengtheners target broader hand and forearm muscles.
Both these training tools can drastically improve your climbing. However, it is important to note that one tool cannot replace the other.
Best Grip Strengtheners
In this blog, we have reviewed the following grip strengtheners:
- FitBeast Hand Grip Strengthener Workout Kit – Best for Beginners
- LoGest Metal Hand Grip Set – Ideal for Avid Climbers
- IronMind Captains of Crush (COC) Hand Gripper – Budget-Friendly Grip Strengthener
Comparison
| Feature | FitBeast | LoGest | IronMind |
| Resistance | Adjustable | Not Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Strength Levels | 11 | 6 | 11 |
| Force Levels | 22 to 132 lbs. | 100 to 350 lbs. | 60 to 365 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Rubber | Metallic | Metallic |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
FitBeast Hand Grip Strengthener Workout Kit – Best for Beginners
Designed specifically for rock climbers, tennis players, and athletes, this set of grip strengthener tools has everything from Finger Exerciser, and Finger stretcher Resistance Band, to Hand Strengthener Grip Ring and Stress Relief Grip Ball.
All the tools in the kit are ideal for developing your grip and wrist strength. Moreover, they also help in improving your muscle response time. The hand gripper has adjustable resistance levels and can be set to force levels between 22 to 132 lbs.
It comes with rubber handles which makes it ideal for both small and large hands. The hand gripper is more suitable for beginners who are looking for ways to improve their climbing. In addition to this, the kit comes with a finger exerciser with 4 lbs. resistance for each finger, a stress relief grip ball made of silicon, a finger stretcher for strengthening the antagonist muscles, and a hand strengthener grip ring.
The best part is, if you don’t know how to formulate a workout regimen, the kit comes with tutorial videos that will help you set daily target training plans. This is especially useful for beginners.
Pros
- It is a complete kit of grip strengthening tools.
- You can adjust the strength between 11 different levels.
- It comes with a stress relief ball for post-workout sessions.
- You get tutorial videos that help in setting daily targets.
Cons
- If you have been climbing for a few months, the force levels might be too easy for you.
LoGest Metal Hand Grip Set – Ideal for Avid Climbers
If you are an avid climber and are looking for grip strengtheners that will help develop your finger strength, then this set of LoGest Metal Hand Grip Set is the best solution. All the grippers are constructed using alloy steel which makes them durable and sturdy.
The handles are made of aluminum which is why they are lightweight and gentle on your hands. The handles have been designed to prevent chaffing of the skin. You can target your forearms, fingers, and wrists with the help of these grippers depending on the type of workout regimen you follow.
You can get these grip strengtheners either in a full pack that contains all weights or packs of three that contain hang grippers with strength levels 100 to 200 lbs. or 250 to 350 lbs.
The hand gripper strengths have been developed with 50 lbs. increments which allow you to gradually increase the resistance and build finger and wrist strength.
Pros
- The hand grippers are available in six different strength levels.
- The handles are made of aluminum which is lightweight but durable.
- You can either get a set of all six grippers or packs of three depending on your preference.
- The spring is made with alloy steel which means it will not catch rust.
Cons
- The grippers might slip if your palms are sweaty.
IronMind Captains of Crush (COC) Hand Gripper – Budget-Friendly Grip Strengthener
This torsion grip trainer by IronMind is one of the most popular grip strengtheners in the climbing industry mainly because of the value for money it provides. It comes with adjustable strength levels and can be set to weights varying between 60 lbs. and 365 lbs.
The gripper has been developed with hand strengthening and hand health in mind. It is ideal for everyone from arthritis patients, to tennis players, climbers, and musicians. The handles of the gripper are constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum. Although this makes it slightly heavy, the aluminum adds to the durability and sturdiness of the grippers. They can stay intact for decades.
The best part is, unlike other low-quality hang grippers, these don’t lose their resistance over years. Instead, they maintain their resistance and smoothness even after years of usage.
The only issue that people face with this grip strengthener is that it is a little brutal on the hands. You might start developing callus after regular usage.
Pros
- It provides 11 strength levels.
- It is ideal for both beginners and experienced climbers.
- The gripper is constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum.
- The durability and sturdiness of the tool are unmatched.
Cons
- The handles of the gripper are a bit rough on the hands.
Conclusion
Grip strengtheners are a great way to improve your grip and finger strength. However, just like any other training device, it is important that you take some precautions. Be careful while training your finger and wrist muscles. Overworking them can lead to certain joints and tendons-related injuries.
Moreover, don’t overdo your finger workout. It is better to choose a weight or strength level based on your experience in climbing. If you are relatively inexperienced, start with a beginner workout and gradually make your way up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my hangboard with hand grippers?
Hangboards and hand grippers target different sets of muscles, so it is better to train with both of them.
Are rubber handle grippers better?
Rubber handle grippers are easier on the hand and they don’t slip if your palms are sweating. So yes, they are better.
Are hang grippers durable?
This depends on the type of hand gripper you are investing in. Most of them are durable and can keep their resistance intact for up to five years.
