Supplements for grip

[Guest Jeff Roark]

I was just wondering if anyone over here uses any supplements to help with either the strength or health of their hands? After my Carpal Tunnel surgury I used liver for its amino acid and B-vit contents. It is supposed to help heal damaged nerves. I also can tell that a bit of caffine/ephedra makes my grip stronger, but if to much is taken it sort of weakens my grip a bit. Anyone else have any experiences good or bad? What about that joint support stuff anyone use it? Anything that helps hands recover faster?

[RiotGrip]

I don't use any supplements for recovery, but I occasionaly have a cup of coffee before a grip workout to help with strength.   I think caffiene helps.

[Sybersnott]

I'm taking one serving a day of Meso-Tech, but that's not for my grip, it's for my weight training.  I feel the need to increase my bodily protein intake, and so far I like the results.

[ruffhans]

i also take a good dose of caffine before grip training. i also take protein, ( but not for grip use). i was thinking about taking a joint supliment, so that years later i dont end up with bad hands from heavy grip training, ( if they would help).  what do you all think?

[Guest Youngguy]

Oh yea man, you guys couldn't have said it better.  Amen to coffee.  I drink lots of coffee before grip training, because it gets the blood going.  I drink a cup or two before weightlifting, because I don't need to choke myself while doing a ohp. :hehe

I like to use coffee as a supplement type, but I only use for stimulation. In my workouts it gives me energy, so that would be for the main cause.  On off training I try not to drink much to ensure good health.

I say hey, it is cheap, easy to make, and it is always arround.  Go for it!

Anyway that brings up a good question.  I am going to find out the bad sides of coffee and caffeine.

[Guest Youngguy]

Oh coffee is proven to be very safe and beneficial to health.  It reduces the risk of cancer and many other diseases.  Here is a good place to go to see the facts about coffee.  It is very interesting. http://www.coffeescience.org/

[Guest Harlan Jacobs]

A couple of years ago, I was training strongman events with one of the guys that will be going the the world strongest man contest.Anyway, he was taking a drinkcalled Revenge. This product claims to stop Lactic acid build up. He said it works.I always wanted to try it but seem to forget about it when I am buying my protein.

[Guest Mikael Siversson]

Not the most objective reference. Coffee increases blood pressure which is not god and I can recall having seen studies suggesting that it accelerates ageing. It also decalcifies the skeleton, which is especially a problem in older women.

[Guest Youngguy]

Hmm Ill do some more research, but you should read up on the web site.  It only heightens blood pressure in those you seldomly drink it.  I don't know about the aging part though.  Ill look more into it.

[Guest 115-1005574997]

eh youngguy

hows the wrist/hand these days after surgury!  

what did the surgon reconed caused the capel tunnel to be so seriously inflamed?

anything in moderation is ok but id say 10 coffees a day would be a little over board!

im crap at eating food in the mornings so protein shakes come in handy.  eat loads of protein, keep your totals kcal high and if u think creatine is any good, why not.

so hows the training going young guy???

[Guest archaicmaelstrom]

I work at a health/supplement store in Edmonton, AB, Canada, and I can tell you that for joint rehabilitation/preventative maintenance, a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplement is the best.

The glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to help repair of damaged joint tissues, ligaments, and tendons. The MSM brings down swelling and inflammation really well.

A lot of athletes who do plyometrics use this to prevent the buildup of damage that accumulates from the excessive explosive eccentric/concentric movements. Relating to grip, I think that glucosamine and chondroitin are the best preventative maintenance to prevent arthritis, so maybe it's an especially good idea for grip specialists?

I find that the standard Ephedrine Caffeine stack does nothing for strength, just cardio. It gives a boost to cardio, but strength it doesn't really help or hinder - at least that's what I find.

You can improve your lactic acid threshold by doing stuff like lactic acid interval training.  This makes your body better at producing enzymes to help reduce amounts of lactic acid in extreme muscle exhaustion. Also, avoiding milk before workouts helps, because it too contains lactic acid. I have never heard of a reliable product to reduce lactic acid effects, but maybe there is one out there.

Creatine helps me a lot. I believe that after protein it is the best supplement to add to diet. I've found it gives you a really good pump in the gym, and with heavy low rep training, it's good for like one or 2 extra reps.