Post by Joey Smith on Aug 25, 2006 8:35:08 GMT -5
By: David Robson
Typically, bodybuilders, and indeed athletes from other codes, are not asked how much they can grip - the popular line of questioning seems to be around how much one can bench, or how large ones biceps are. However, grip training can positively impact most athletes, in terms of both the quality of their training programs and the type of results they attain.
Grip training can heavily influence the amount of weight lifted, for all upper-body movements, and develop the forearms to such a degree that one is prompted to take a double take, upon first seeing the forearm-bulging results of grip training first hand.
Certain types of grip training, in and of itself, can provide an ego-boosting experience, as the trainer is able to handle greater gripping poundage's on a weekly basis, provided they consistently train in the correct manner.
Training and aesthetics aside, a strong grip will certainly assist if one becomes involved in a fight, where the power of their grip might determine the outcome. Read on to find out exactly how to develop your grip, and why it is important to do so.
Reasons For Improving Gripping Strength
Enhance Martial Arts/Wrestling Proficiency.
Developing gripping strength will assist when it come to grappling in the context of a martial arts or wrestling fight. It will also add snap, and power, to a punch, giving boxers who practice gripping exercises an additional advantage.
When gripping an adversary, one with weak forearms, and gripping strength, might sustain an injury to the wrist area, or worse, end up on the ground with their opponent kicking their face in.
Often, the key to winning a fight is to maintain a vice-like hold on your opponent over a prolonged period, and the key to maintaining such a hold is to develop phenomenal gripping strength.
Develop Respectable Size For Bodybuilding Purposes.
Specific gripping exercises, of which there are many (these will be explained later), develop the forearm musculature to a significant degree. Those with the best forearm development are often people who work in a profession that requires a constant gripping of objects (concrete workers for example).
If ones forearms are lagging, specialized grip training could be just the thing they need to break this plateau. Direct forearm work is good, and should be continued, but gripping work stimulates all forearm musculature, as a whole, and provides the additional volume needed to enhance new growth (the forearms, like the calves, need a lot of work to respond).
Enhance One's Weight-Training Program.
An improvement in gripping strength generally means an overall improvement in quality, as far as lifting immense poundage's in other movements is concerned. For example, bent rowing, a fundamental back movement, will suffer if ones grip is not up to standard. There could always be an argument made for wraps, but these are controversial at best, and are thought to compromise technique.
So, a strong grip is essential to training progress, as most movements are dependant on correct gripping technique and strength. Chinning, as well, relies on a solid grip, and heavy benches could potentially cause wrist injury in those susceptible (I.E, those with a weak grip).
Day to day activities such as turning doorknobs, opening jars and conducting mechanical repairs, also benefit from a strong grip. The type of wrist action used when doing any of the above is a twisting motion, and there are specific exercises (which will be explained later) that can be done to improve this.
Typically, bodybuilders, and indeed athletes from other codes, are not asked how much they can grip - the popular line of questioning seems to be around how much one can bench, or how large ones biceps are. However, grip training can positively impact most athletes, in terms of both the quality of their training programs and the type of results they attain.
Grip training can heavily influence the amount of weight lifted, for all upper-body movements, and develop the forearms to such a degree that one is prompted to take a double take, upon first seeing the forearm-bulging results of grip training first hand.
Certain types of grip training, in and of itself, can provide an ego-boosting experience, as the trainer is able to handle greater gripping poundage's on a weekly basis, provided they consistently train in the correct manner.
Training and aesthetics aside, a strong grip will certainly assist if one becomes involved in a fight, where the power of their grip might determine the outcome. Read on to find out exactly how to develop your grip, and why it is important to do so.
Reasons For Improving Gripping Strength
Enhance Martial Arts/Wrestling Proficiency.
Developing gripping strength will assist when it come to grappling in the context of a martial arts or wrestling fight. It will also add snap, and power, to a punch, giving boxers who practice gripping exercises an additional advantage.
When gripping an adversary, one with weak forearms, and gripping strength, might sustain an injury to the wrist area, or worse, end up on the ground with their opponent kicking their face in.
Often, the key to winning a fight is to maintain a vice-like hold on your opponent over a prolonged period, and the key to maintaining such a hold is to develop phenomenal gripping strength.
Develop Respectable Size For Bodybuilding Purposes.
Specific gripping exercises, of which there are many (these will be explained later), develop the forearm musculature to a significant degree. Those with the best forearm development are often people who work in a profession that requires a constant gripping of objects (concrete workers for example).
If ones forearms are lagging, specialized grip training could be just the thing they need to break this plateau. Direct forearm work is good, and should be continued, but gripping work stimulates all forearm musculature, as a whole, and provides the additional volume needed to enhance new growth (the forearms, like the calves, need a lot of work to respond).
Enhance One's Weight-Training Program.
An improvement in gripping strength generally means an overall improvement in quality, as far as lifting immense poundage's in other movements is concerned. For example, bent rowing, a fundamental back movement, will suffer if ones grip is not up to standard. There could always be an argument made for wraps, but these are controversial at best, and are thought to compromise technique.
So, a strong grip is essential to training progress, as most movements are dependant on correct gripping technique and strength. Chinning, as well, relies on a solid grip, and heavy benches could potentially cause wrist injury in those susceptible (I.E, those with a weak grip).
Day to day activities such as turning doorknobs, opening jars and conducting mechanical repairs, also benefit from a strong grip. The type of wrist action used when doing any of the above is a twisting motion, and there are specific exercises (which will be explained later) that can be done to improve this.