Grippers and Crushing Grip Strength

The Captains of Crush Grippers

A classic test of grip strength is how hard can you squeeze down with your hands. For this reason grippers were built to train and build this strength. In the modern days, Ironmind has pioneered this movement with their grippers, ranging in strength from 60 lbs. (the Guide) to 365 lbs (the #4) and everywhere in between. There are also a number of other companies making grippers like the Monsters of Mash. Here is Adam Glass closing the #3 gripper with ease.

One of the basic motions of the hand, it is wise to have this somewhere in your training plan. Not just for being able to open that jar of pickles but as a necessity in many sports, especially the combative ones.

At the highest levels a crushing grip can not only close a tough gripper but pulverize an apple or potato with one squeeze of the fist as shown by Tommy Heslep here.