New South Australian

[1984 JPS]

Hey, just thought I'd say hi. Name is Andy.

Just bought a Trainer, #1, #2, #2.5, #3 COC from Ironmind. So far the service has been great! Think they will be arriving tomorrowish judging by the shipping info.

I have done weight training for a while and am now getting ready for some serious grip training

Any beginner tips? I have been reading through the site the past few days and have picked up some basics.

Andy.

Edited December 12, 2007 by 1984 JPS

[Guest Bonzi]

Hey, just thought I'd say hi. Name is Andy.

Just bought a Trainer, #1, #2, #2.5, #3 COC from Ironmind. So far the service has been great! Think they will be arriving tomorrowish judging by the shipping info.

I have done weight training for a while and am now getting ready for some serious grip training

Any beginner tips? I have been reading through the site the past few days and have picked up some basics.

Andy.

Welcome. You will get All Info Grip from the WORLD'S BEST(literally), of which I am Not one.

I am just an observer and hopeful #2 closer. Cheers and enjoy the journey.

[xrated618]

I have only been gripping for 4 months, but my best advice is 1) don't over train, which is easy to do and 2) get advice from the gripboard, everyone is happy to help and extremely knowledgeable

[1984 JPS]

Thanks guys!

Hah yeah I have been reading about the over training stuff.

Is a program like 5X5 that is used for bodybuilding good for grip? Or should I be doing really high reps?

I was thinking maybe doing like 1/3 my max closes on the trainer then doing 5X5 on the #1 or #2 depending on which I can close

Andy.

Edited December 12, 2007 by 1984 JPS

[twig]

David Horne's posted a beginners workout that's absolutely invaluable.

[IceStormSS84]

Thanks guys!

Hah yeah I have been reading about the over training stuff.

Is a program like 5X5 that is used for bodybuilding good for grip? Or should I be doing really high reps?

I was thinking maybe doing like 1/3 my max closes on the trainer then doing 5X5 on the #1 or #2 depending on which I can close

Andy.

Over-training is something that everyone says to avoid, but it's not quite that easy (imo). I too read a lot about over-training and to watch out for it, yet here I am waiting for my right hand to heal up.

It was hard for me to tell that I was over-training. My hands felt fine, felt fine, felt fine, then...bam. Something let go in my right hand and now I'm making no progress at all because I can barely close my #1 without pain.

Tendons build more slowly than muscles, so be patient and wait for them! They're not very nice when they decide to tell you they've had enough. :-/

My advice is to pick one or two days a week (depending on what BB schedule you're on, pick the two off days to train grip on if you HAVE to be in the gym every day like me) and just work on grip. Get a good base strength built up and do NOT try to work grip every day. That's what I did and it didn't work out so hot for me.

As for a routine...I'd start with a warm-up set of 10-15 reps with the Trainer. Rest for 60 seconds then move up to the #1. 5 sets of 5 reps will probably work well for you, same as in BB. Unless you've trained aspects of grip before or you're hella strong, you'll probably be using your #2 as your target gripper right now. Which is fine!

Everyone's results with various grippers vary, so it's hard to say what program will work best for you. It's much the same as bodybuilding routines and since you're familiar with that already, you'll figure out what gives you the greatest gains quickly.

The one thing I'll say that I hope will help you out that I neglected to see when I started; when you're doing reps, do the FULL rep. Make sure those handles touch every time. If you only do half-assed reps, you're going to suffer when it comes time to close that last mm or two. Over-crushing is good for that last little bit, but try not to over-crush until those tendons get used to the abuse -- I'm of the opinion that those are probably why my hand is injured.

Lastly, learn how to set your grippers properly. It made a lot of difference in what I was able to close and how often once I learned how to properly do it and once I found my own 'sweet spot'.

Good luck, and if you ever need encouragement...watch some videos of the big boys doing it. Those always keep me going (Teemu I is my personal favorite gripper; he's got a lot of awesome vids).

Edited December 12, 2007 by theicyone

[1984 JPS]

David Horne's posted a beginners workout that's absolutely invaluable.

Thanks, just had a look. Fits into my BB schedule easily!

Thanks guys!

Hah yeah I have been reading about the over training stuff.

Is a program like 5X5 that is used for bodybuilding good for grip? Or should I be doing really high reps?

I was thinking maybe doing like 1/3 my max closes on the trainer then doing 5X5 on the #1 or #2 depending on which I can close

Andy.

Over-training is something that everyone says to avoid, but it's not quite that easy (imo). I too read a lot about over-training and to watch out for it, yet here I am waiting for my right hand to heal up.

It was hard for me to tell that I was over-training. My hands felt fine, felt fine, felt fine, then...bam. Something let go in my right hand and now I'm making no progress at all because I can barely close my #1 without pain.

Tendons build more slowly than muscles, so be patient and wait for them! They're not very nice when they decide to tell you they've had enough. :-/

My advice is to pick one or two days a week (depending on what BB schedule you're on, pick the two off days to train grip on if you HAVE to be in the gym every day like me) and just work on grip. Get a good base strength built up and do NOT try to work grip every day. That's what I did and it didn't work out so hot for me.

As for a routine...I'd start with a warm-up set of 10-15 reps with the Trainer. Rest for 60 seconds then move up to the #1. 5 sets of 5 reps will probably work well for you, same as in BB. Unless you've trained aspects of grip before or you're hella strong, you'll probably be using your #2 as your target gripper right now. Which is fine!

Everyone's results with various grippers vary, so it's hard to say what program will work best for you. It's much the same as bodybuilding routines and since you're familiar with that already, you'll figure out what gives you the greatest gains quickly.

The one thing I'll say that I hope will help you out that I neglected to see when I started; when you're doing reps, do the FULL rep. Make sure those handles touch every time. If you only do half-assed reps, you're going to suffer when it comes time to close that last mm or two. Over-crushing is good for that last little bit, but try not to over-crush until those tendons get used to the abuse -- I'm of the opinion that those are probably why my hand is injured.

Lastly, learn how to set your grippers properly. It made a lot of difference in what I was able to close and how often once I learned how to properly do it and once I found my own 'sweet spot'.

Good luck, and if you ever need encouragement...watch some videos of the big boys doing it. Those always keep me going (Teemu I is my personal favorite gripper; he's got a lot of awesome vids).

Thanks! Exactly what I was after. My grippers arrive tomorrow, ill let you guys know how I go!

Andy.

[verdigriz]

where in aussie are ya? im in melbourne, pm me if you want....

Brendan