You cheap bastards

Grip Strength for Cheap Bastards

So, it’s been about a year since I started writing for Murph and I have put out a ton of information related to Grip Training. I hope that by now you understand that Grip Strength, that is the collective strength in the lower arms from the elbows down to the finger tips, is a very important factor in strength training success.

It really doesn’t matter what form of training you do, Grip Strength is important.

For instance, I know that Murph is world-renowned for the information he has brought to the world of Strongman Training and I am sure many of you that come to his site are interested in improving your performance on the various Strongman events. So you should already know that you can’t be good at Strongman if you Grip sucks.

The same thing goes for Powerlifters. You can’t pull a respectable Deadlift if you have old lady hands, unless you master the hook grip, which hurts so freakin’ bad, I don’t know why anybody would even want to go there.

Even if you have made the decision to turn to Crossfit, just like Joe Girardi, the great manager of the best sports franchise in the world, the New York Yankees (MURPH’S NOTE-Yankees suck) , has done, you are going to needs some serious Grip Strength in order to accomplish the goals of that training approach.

However, despite this knowledge, many people remain resistant to buying the equipment they need in order to develop the Grip Strength they need for their chosen strength pastime. I am not sure if it is a lack of funds or a lack of trust for equipment manufacturers, or maybe a combination of both, but what I want to do right now is show you a piece of equipment you can build yourself for less than $20 and it will take you all of 30 minutes, if you are a mechanical douchebag like me and struggle, but believe me, if I can do this, so can you.

First off, go to a hardware store and find what is called a Pony Clamp. It is a carpenter’s tool that is used to hold boards together. They come in various sizes, but make sure you get the kind that has flat handles. They may be covered by rubber grips, but the handles will also have a hole in them. Once you find the right kind, buy at least one of them, maybe more if you want to make multiples of this awesome training tool.

Also while at the hardware store pick up a flat metal bracket. It should be at least 6 inches long and it needs to have a hole in the center of it. Lots of them have multiple holes, which is fine, but it is best if you get one with a center hole.

Aside from those two pieces, all you will need is a short bolt, nut, and washer that all match up, and which all fit inside the holes in the bracket and the Pony Clamp.

How to Build the Adjustable Pony Clamp

To assemble this most awesome cheap piece of Grip Training gear, remove the rubber cover off the handles of the Pony Clamp and line up the center hole of the bracket with the hole in the handle. Run the bolt through the holes to connect the pieces and apply the washer and nut. Tighten it up with a wrench and you are ready.

What you have now is a very versatile piece of Grip Training equipment that you can use to train your thumbs and your fingers.

And what’s awesome, is if you add rubber bands to the end, then you can have an adjustable-strength gripper.