devices for training PINCH GRIP strength: question

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SkinnyJoe

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Ironmind has IMTUG mini grippers that use springs, like their COCs. They also have devices for static holds, to simulate lifting and holding a (let's say) 45lb plate by the hub.

Question: from a scientific point of view, should one method be more effective than the other for actually increasing pinch grip strength?

Thanks.
 
I always just used 50lb plates. Be careful though. I used CoC grips for years and had beaten #3 and was working on the #4 when I started getting bunched tendons in my hands. Now I will need surgery. So, take it easy.
 
ednemo said:
I always just used 50lb plates. Be careful though. I used CoC grips for years and had beaten #3 and was working on the #4 when I started getting bunched tendons in my hands. Now I will need surgery. So, take it easy.
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Thanks.

Were you training too often? No warm-up, too quickly...?? What happened?

:(

P.S. is this what happened?

Tendon nodules

Stenosing tenosynovitis, commonly known as trigger finger or trigger thumb, involves the pulleys and tendons in the hand that bend the fingers. The tendons work like long ropes connecting the muscles of the forearm with the bones of the fingers and thumb. In the finger, the pulleys form a tunnel under which the tendons must glide. These pulleys hold the tendons close against the bone. The tendons and the tunnel have a slick lining that allows easy gliding inside the pulleys.
Trigger finger/thumb happens when the tendon develops a nodule (knot) or swelling of its lining. When the tendon swells, it must squeeze through the opening of the tunnel (flexor sheath) which causes pain, popping, or a catching feeling in the finger or thumb. When the tendon catches, it produces inflammation and more swelling. This causes a vicious cycle of triggering, inflammation, and swelling. Sometimes the finger becomes stuck (locked) and is hard to straighten or bend(2).
 
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SkinnyJoe said:
Thanks.

Were you training too often? No warm-up, too quickly...?? What happened?

:(

P.S. is this what happened?

Tendon nodules

Stenosing tenosynovitis, commonly known as trigger finger or trigger thumb, involves the pulleys and tendons in the hand that bend the fingers. The tendons work like long ropes connecting the muscles of the forearm with the bones of the fingers and thumb. In the finger, the pulleys form a tunnel under which the tendons must glide. These pulleys hold the tendons close against the bone. The tendons and the tunnel have a slick lining that allows easy gliding inside the pulleys.
Trigger finger/thumb happens when the tendon develops a nodule (knot) or swelling of its lining. When the tendon swells, it must squeeze through the opening of the tunnel (flexor sheath) which causes pain, popping, or a catching feeling in the finger or thumb. When the tendon catches, it produces inflammation and more swelling. This causes a vicious cycle of triggering, inflammation, and swelling. Sometimes the finger becomes stuck (locked) and is hard to straighten or bend(2).
Click to expand...

Yes, that is pretty much it. I have about 6 knots in my hand that are slowly pulling my hand closed. I was using the CoCs every other day for years and apparently just overdid it. I also used it as a stress-release at work or where ever I was.
 
ednemo said:
Yes, that is pretty much it. I have about 6 knots in my hand that are slowly pulling my hand closed. I was using the CoCs every other day for years and apparently just overdid it. I also used it as a stress-release at work or where ever I was.
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I hope surgery resolves that problem for you.

Defeating the #3 is impressive, to say the least. I can close the #2, haven't tried the #2.5 (don't have one). My rule is to be able to do 10 reps consistently, smoothly, and slowly before going to the next level.

It was relatively recently that I learned about the "time under load" concept for muscle growth, and it got me thinking about static load vs. dynamic load, hence my original question.
 
chin ups on a finger board or off of rock rings.when i was ice climbing i did chin ups off of sawed off broom handles
 
Russian Kettlebells will give you insane hand/wrist/finger strength.
 
get a soft ball.drill a hole in it and put an eye bolt thru it. put a rope thru the eye bolt and attach to a weight plate. ive worked out with this for years. it really works.
 
The old "wrist roller" device tends to work the forearm muscles which are a bit different in function than those responsible for grip strength.
Many years ago, when I was in the army and lifting weights on a regular basis, one of the "strength" magazines had an article on grip strength and showed a fellow who could "pinch" two 50-pound Olympic-style plates. (concave sides "in").
We had some pretty strong lads in the gym, and several said...."That looks easy!'

We got down to 25 pound plates before anyone could manage...
 
made a wrist roller 20 yrs ago on the advice of a boxing coach.
Drill a hole through the center of a 1 in thick dowel and attach a cord, put a 10 to 25 pound plate 30 in down. Triple knot if you like your toes.
Wind it up and down SLOW for the negative.
Builds good deltoid and rotator cuff muscles as well.
Probably the reason I never had wrist and tendon problems on the cutting floor
 
yoz's friend said:
get a soft ball.drill a hole in it and put an eye bolt thru it. put a rope thru the eye bolt and attach to a weight plate. ive worked out with this for years. it really works.
Click to expand...

This is on the mark (one method, anyway) if what you are looking for is pinch grip strength, as opposed to crushing grip strength.

If you haven't been there already, this site has all you ever need to know (and lots of friendly folk) about different types of grip strength and how to achieve them.

http://www.gripboard.com/index.php?&showforum=1

(You may have to register to read)
 
With a little know how (or if you know someone that can weld), you can easily make one of these gripper machines. As an exercise science major, I'll share my view of static holds (pinch grips in this case). They're only great for building strength at that angle since there is no movement. If I was training for any kind of strength, including gripping, I'd use exercises where you're actually gripping and releasing, meaning the arm muscles are actively going through eccentric and concentric phases, meaning you'll train the muscle across the entire range of motion.

Of course, if you're gonna enter a pinch gripping contest, you train specifically for pinch gripping. That goes without saying, obviously.

gripper-machine.jpg
 
..could it also be that the exercises where movement of muscle occurs, that those exercises increase strength, whereas static holds increase endurance?

For something like rock climbing, I would imagine the latter is very important.
 
SkinnyJoe said:
..could it also be that the exercises where movement of muscle occurs, that those exercises increase strength, whereas static holds increase endurance?

For something like rock climbing, I would imagine the latter is very important.
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Do anything long enough and you'll increase endurance. Of course, static holds like everything else are situational. You'd increase most of the endurance in that static position, as in, over time, you'd be able to hold that same amount of weight for a longer period of time.
 
harkamus said:
Do anything long enough and you'll increase endurance. Of course, static holds like everything else are situational. You'd increase most of the endurance in that static position, as in, over time, you'd be able to hold that same amount of weight for a longer period of time.
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What are some good textbooks for your field? Planning on visiting the bookstore at Vanderbilt this weekend, and I imagine they would have some stuff to look at, stuff that has more credibility than bodybuilding magazines..
 
I'd suggest a Borders or a Barnes and Noble instead. Academic book stores have mostly... well... academic books.
 
SkinnyJoe said:
What are some good textbooks for your field? Planning on visiting the bookstore at Vanderbilt this weekend, and I imagine they would have some stuff to look at, stuff that has more credibility than bodybuilding magazines..
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***Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (by National Strength and Conditioning Association) by Thomas R. Baechle and Roger W. Earle --- 2nd edition; they might have a 3rd edition now. Not sure.

***Exercise Physiology - Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance by Scott K. Powers and Edward T. Howley --- Fifth Edition (this one is pretty old...they probably have several newer editions now)

Foundations of Athletic Training - Prevention, Assessment, and Management by Marcia K. Anderson, Susan J. Hall, and Malissa Martin --- Third edition (they may have newer editions)

***ACSM's Gudelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription - by American College of Sports Medicine - 8th edition ---our holy bible so to speak in terms of evaluation

Human Physiology by Stuard Ira Fox --- Tenth edition

Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System by Margareta Nordin and Victor H. Frankel --- Third edition (also quite old now)


*** are my most recommended...the other stuff is if you're interested in the broader scope of the field.
EDIT: I'll get ISBN numbers for you if you request them.
 
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