ultrazls1 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) Hey guys im new here to the forum. I'm 29 and have been lifting weights since I was 15. Always been exceptionally strong I think. Benched 400 lbs when I was 17 at 220lbs and still have the school record at my high school. Probably could have gotten a bit more but ripped my pec in February of my senior year. Anyways this new armwrestling show game of arms has got me wanting to get back into armwrestling again and I know how important forearm and hand strength is to this sport. I always thought my grip was a weak point because I have times when my grip starts to give out when doing heavy bicep training etc. I work as an xray tech and dont use my hands for strength all the time except weightlifting. I used to be a mechanic before going into healthcare and I still fix cars every now and then so maybe turning wrenches helps my hand strength. Well I ordered a set of 5 COC grippers 1,1.5,2,2.5 and 3. To my surprise I was able to close the 2.5 just barely with my right and about a 1/4 inch away with my left. I started messing with my old department store voit gripper last week and it was too easy and could do sets of 100 without too much trouble so I ordered some cocs. So I got a couple questions for you guys. I have never really trained forearms in the past because I felt that they got hit secondarily in a lot of the weightlifting I do.They have also always been good size (about 15.5 flexed cold) so I didnt think they needed work. My hands are a bit bigger than average I think at a little over 8 inches. I workout 5 days on and one off and do my entire body except dedicated forearms for the most part. I just started incorporating forearm exercises and grippers into my routine. I currently do rope ups, wrist curls, hammer curls and reverse curls. I also ordered a sorenex plate loaded grip machine that should be here soon. I would really like to close the COC 3 and get certified but it seems really damn hard lol. I also cant close the 2.5 today and I could close it yesterday...what gives? I also already have blisters on both my 4th and 5th digits of my right and left hands and cant even use the grippers now. I think I over did it. What are the best exercises for closing grippers and what do I do about my hands getting tore up? Will they just get callused over time and be fine? I am also reading I should work my finger extensors so I dont develop carpal tunnel syndrome from being out of balance...is this true? should I order some bands from IM? thanks guys looking forward to your replies and advice thanks, Troy Edited March 20, 2014 by ultrazls1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterSweden Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 A few tips for gripper training. I can close a hard coc3 paralell set atm so Im no expert. My 2 cents: Watch "paul knight how to set a gripper" video on youtube and you'll be lightyears futher on the road towards that coc3 close. Take it easy to begin with. You cant close the gripper today cause you are exhausted. Tendons heal slowly. Grip is alot of tendon strength, not just muscle. Paul Knight says he does grippers once a week, sometimes twice. Chez says he does grippers once every 7-10 days. Train your thumb for more thumb size = more support for the gripper handle. Pinching plates, smooth side out or a pony clamp for dynamic work. I really like sledge finger walks. Youtube is your friend 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterSweden Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I am also reading I should work my finger extensors so I dont develop carpal tunnel syndrome from being out of balance...is this true? should I order some bands from IM? Regular thick rubber bands will do. You can use multiple at once. Yes, or, I dont now about carpal tunnel but it sertainly gives me elbow pain, tendonitis. Extensortraining and light sledge pronation/supination levers help keep it away tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Good work man. You're on your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultrazls1 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Really appreciate the replys so far. Cant view the video right now cuz I am at work and probably shouldnt even be typing this lol. But thank you and will check it out for sure. I consider myself very informed when it comes to training the body except for grip/forearm...not used to this being a newb lol so I really appreciate the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh O'Dell Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Hey guys im new here to the forum. I'm 29 and have been lifting weights since I was 15. Always been exceptionally strong I think. Benched 400 lbs when I was 17 at 220lbs and still have the school record at my high school. Probably could have gotten a bit more but ripped my pec in February of my senior year. Anyways this new armwrestling show game of arms has got me wanting to get back into armwrestling again and I know how important forearm and hand strength is to this sport. I always thought my grip was a weak point because I have times when my grip starts to give out when doing heavy bicep training etc. I work as an xray tech and dont use my hands for strength all the time except weightlifting. I used to be a mechanic before going into healthcare and I still fix cars every now and then so maybe turning wrenches helps my hand strength. Well I ordered a set of 5 COC grippers 1,1.5,2,2.5 and 3. To my surprise I was able to close the 2.5 just barely with my right and about a 1/4 inch away with my left. I started messing with my old department store voit gripper last week and it was too easy and could do sets of 100 without too much trouble so I ordered some cocs. So I got a couple questions for you guys. I have never really trained forearms in the past because I felt that they got hit secondarily in a lot of the weightlifting I do.They have also always been good size (about 15.5 flexed cold) so I didnt think they needed work. My hands are a bit bigger than average I think at a little over 8 inches. I workout 5 days on and one off and do my entire body except dedicated forearms for the most part. I just started incorporating forearm exercises and grippers into my routine. I currently do rope ups, wrist curls, hammer curls and reverse curls. I also ordered a sorenex plate loaded grip machine that should be here soon. I would really like to close the COC 3 and get certified but it seems really damn hard lol. I also cant close the 2.5 today and I could close it yesterday...what gives? I also already have blisters on both my 4th and 5th digits of my right and left hands and cant even use the grippers now. I think I over did it. What are the best exercises for closing grippers and what do I do about my hands getting tore up? Will they just get callused over time and be fine? I am also reading I should work my finger extensors so I dont develop carpal tunnel syndrome from being out of balance...is this true? should I order some bands from IM? thanks guys looking forward to your replies and advice thanks, TroyA good way to get better is to post up some vids, maybe a 2.5 closeIt always helped me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultrazls1 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Hey guys im new here to the forum. I'm 29 and have been lifting weights since I was 15. Always been exceptionally strong I think. Benched 400 lbs when I was 17 at 220lbs and still have the school record at my high school. Probably could have gotten a bit more but ripped my pec in February of my senior year. Anyways this new armwrestling show game of arms has got me wanting to get back into armwrestling again and I know how important forearm and hand strength is to this sport. I always thought my grip was a weak point because I have times when my grip starts to give out when doing heavy bicep training etc. I work as an xray tech and dont use my hands for strength all the time except weightlifting. I used to be a mechanic before going into healthcare and I still fix cars every now and then so maybe turning wrenches helps my hand strength. Well I ordered a set of 5 COC grippers 1,1.5,2,2.5 and 3. To my surprise I was able to close the 2.5 just barely with my right and about a 1/4 inch away with my left. I started messing with my old department store voit gripper last week and it was too easy and could do sets of 100 without too much trouble so I ordered some cocs. So I got a couple questions for you guys. I have never really trained forearms in the past because I felt that they got hit secondarily in a lot of the weightlifting I do.They have also always been good size (about 15.5 flexed cold) so I didnt think they needed work. My hands are a bit bigger than average I think at a little over 8 inches. I workout 5 days on and one off and do my entire body except dedicated forearms for the most part. I just started incorporating forearm exercises and grippers into my routine. I currently do rope ups, wrist curls, hammer curls and reverse curls. I also ordered a sorenex plate loaded grip machine that should be here soon. I would really like to close the COC 3 and get certified but it seems really damn hard lol. I also cant close the 2.5 today and I could close it yesterday...what gives? I also already have blisters on both my 4th and 5th digits of my right and left hands and cant even use the grippers now. I think I over did it. What are the best exercises for closing grippers and what do I do about my hands getting tore up? Will they just get callused over time and be fine? I am also reading I should work my finger extensors so I dont develop carpal tunnel syndrome from being out of balance...is this true? should I order some bands from IM? thanks guys looking forward to your replies and advice thanks, TroyA good way to get better is to post up some vids, maybe a 2.5 closeIt always helped me. I was going to post a vid of the 2.5 close until i discovered I couldnt close them today ....the blisters arent helping either. But ya good idea will get one up as soon as I am healed and able. Maybe I am doing something wrong. When I did close it it was full ROM. Didnt use my other hand really at all other than to set the gripper nice and firm into my hand. Sure I could have easily fit a credit card between it like the rules state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh O'Dell Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 If thats the case try a ccs, but just sounds like you need to Heal up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultrazls1 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 If thats the case try a ccs, but just sounds like you need to Heal up. Excuse the ignorance but what is a ccs? The pain isnt excruciating really its just blisters...but they will never heal up if I keep pounding on them. Also not good to have open wounds on my hands all the time working in the medical field...and I am bad about wearing gloves half the time. No one has said much about the sorinex grip machine...from what I have gathered some like it and some dont. For the most part it looks like a nice piece of equipment made by a good company. With my limited knowledge I would think it could help build grip strength. Do you have any thoughts on this machine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh O'Dell Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Never used it, it takes awhile for your hands to toughen up. The ccs is a credit card set. Its where you set the gripper put the width of the card threw the handles then close it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Pizzo Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Good job on the 2.5 close. as Cannon said, you're on your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANCRUSHER Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Post some videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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