I get asked this a lot during my personal training sessions – how to improve your grip strength?
I see a lot of clients struggling to hold on just while doing chin-ups and pull-ups, and lots struggling to hold the bar during deadlifts.
Get rid of the gloves is my usual response.
Too many people nowadays rely on gloves, foam padding, straps, belts. It gives you superficial strength.
I have tiny ( for a 6 foot guy) wrists and hands yet its been commented on how can I deadlift so much and hang on?
Easy! ive never once used gloves or straps, and i always carry dumbells in my fingertips to build up the strength in my hands. I’ve never used padding for squats, and i have never worn a weightlifting belt. I rely on good form and technique and ive never had an injury related to squatting or deadlifts.
We are also born with our own special belt – our inner and outer core. (ill post a special article about that soon).
Try it for a few months and see how you go. Everytime you carry a plate or dumbell hold it with just your fingers and see how long you can last. You’d be surprised how quickly you get strong. In fact whenever i write up an online traning program for someone I always mention the fact that on your walk to and from the dumbell rack to carry your weights in your fingertips and not worry about dedictated forearm and grip strength exercises.
Theres a million, dedicated exercises you can do – but stick with the old tried and true methods and keep it simple. Soon you’ll be able to hang long enough to pump out 20 chins.
