Gripwork roadblock

[Cougar]

Okay, so I'm starting to run into a problem a lot of newbies, especially women, do... that is, some of my muscles- particularly in my lower body- are outrunning my grip. Thirty pounds is just enough to challenge my calves in a single-legged calf raise, but I'm on the verge of dropping the dumbbell by the end of the set. Obviously I need some extra work on my grip. My problem is that I have teeny little girlie hands; a grand six inches from the base of my thumb to the tip of my middle finger. They're great for repairing wristwatches or something, but most grip trainers/toys are simply too great a span for me to actually get a grip on, as it were.

Does anyone have any ideas? I was going to get a "Captains of Crush" trainer, but since the site doesn't specify how big they are, I don't know if I'd be wasting my money. I'd do farmer's walks, but I'm kind of reluctant to drop heavy weights on my floor when I live in a cheaply constructed postwar house with my landlords right next door to my workout room...

[galileo]

My hands are only a grand 6 3/4", so don't feel bad. My grip is just fine, especially for my size.

Here's the funny thing about grip. Your hands recover VERY fast. I don't know why or how, but I suppose it is a response to the fact that your fingers and forearms are worked extensively every single day. I suggest you do augmentive grip work at least 3 times a week. Grab a dumbell that is 60lbs and squeeze it very hard until you can't hold on, then KEEP holding on. It will hurt, you have to realize this...but your grip WILL get better.

Go to http://grippage.cyberpump.com and join the board.

Go to http://www.ironmind.com/ and purchase 'Mastery of Hand Strength' by John Brookfield.

Some other stuff. Grab 2 5lb plates, smooth side out, and pinch them with your entire hand. Hold them until they slip. If that gets too easy, try 10lbs. When that gets too easy (like 40 second holds) then put a cheap adjustable dumbell inside the holes. Etc etc etc.

[galileo]

I use the Captains of Crush grippers. I have the T, #1, #2. I couldn't close the T when I got it. After a few weeks, I could close it for 5 reps. Now I can do as many reps as I'd like. After a month I got the #1. Now the #2 is down to an inch, but it still very tough. I suggest getting the Trainer and working with it to get a "feel" for it. It will be tough at first, but you'll get used to "setting it" with your other hand.

Setting:
You will have you use your opposite hand to "set" the gripper in place. You will need to use both hands to close it slightly so you can get your fingers around the handles. That is the problem with small hands



It will probably be a challenge to close the Trainer for you, but you can do it

Until your strength builds by following Danugi's advice, invest in some lifting straps. Only use them when doing movements where your grip give out (like your calf raises). If you use them all of the time then your grip will never improve.

[Cougar]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll add in gripwork ASAP.

Nice to know there are guys out there who get called "elf hands" too, Danugi.