[k2ted]

Done a search but can find very little info on here! are they worth bothering with?
I'm aware climbing more etc will be time better spent but other commitments restrict times I can train at wall/ outside. Wondering if there are any benefits to using them as would throw them in with fingerboard & pullups.

cheers for any info...

[richdraws]

NO, no a thousand times no.

I have used them and have only had negative results. Bruised joints quite often. Like Uncle says in another thread, they are a distraction.

There are much better training methods for climbing.

[Monolith]

Yes, yes a thousand times yes!

I'm going to override the uncle system for once. I think he's thrown up an error in this instance.

I've incorporated CoC into my training regime and have made definite pinch gains. In short, I do a campus routine, some military press and bicep curls with leg raises and CoC to finish.

[Paul B]

Yes, yes a thousand times yes!

I'm going to override the uncle system for once. I think he's thrown up an error in this instance.

I've incorporated CoC into my training regime and have made definite pinch gains. In short, I do a campus routine, some military press and bicep curls with leg raises and CoC to finish.

switch military for Arnold...oh yes!!!

Can't comment on CoC, you also have to remember that Uncle has got ridiculous pinch strength already

[Monolith]

Aye, as Paul says, uncle already has enough pinch strength to lift a crate of coconuts.

As many will testify, variety is the spice of life and indeed training. I don't think training should ever feel a chore and through periodisation and innovative touches to your sessions, it needn't be. For me, CoC has contributed to some gains and I enjoy crushing the shit out of it.

There are bound to come periods in your life when for whatever reasons you can't make it outdoors as much as you'd like. Get a bit of CoC in your life. I get plenty and won't ever go back

[Houdini]

I have used them and have only had negative results. Bruised joints quite often.

Sounds like over-use or over-training to me.

Pinch strength is all about the size of your forearms.  If you want stupid pinch strength you climb pinch problems A LOT &/or train to increase the mass of the forearm using one of a bajillion methods:  CoC, powerball, reverse curls, and general site labouring are just four.

 

[athletikspesifik]

I have had several shoulder injuries and previously used CoC as a way to maintain some sort of grip strength whilst recovering.  My perception was that I had improved grip strength (when I repeated some local problems), but, I ended up with lateral tendonosis in both elbows after several months of climbing.  My guess is that I overdeveloped the forearm flexor strength during that time with no brachioradialis activation leading to the imbalance.  Maybe Monolith's concurrent training (pinch strength from CoC???) eliminates that, but, from my experience bent arm hangboarding is a better hand strength option.

[richdraws]

Not over training, I found that attempts to close the number 2 kept leading to very sore fingers on the last joints on the inside as if bruising was occuring. Everyone I know who has tried to close a CoC has complained about pain or discomfort. Most of the bigger grippers are being closed by big man piles, (I know some climbers have closed 2 and 3) so mebbe the padding/fat on their w*nking spanners helps prevent these problems.

I think I have shit hands though. In fact anoyone who knows me will say I have spacker hands.

[Houdini]

I'm not a fan of CoC myself as pumping actions = recipe for RSI.  Better to train grip by maintaining a grip on something.

For example:  Splitting a few trees worth of logs w/ a splitting axe; debarking trunks w/ a spokeshave-type tool; breaking concrete w/ a sledgehammer.  OK - this is labour based, not on everyones wishlish.  I know some guys who labour though don't climb but have a pinch-grip that would shame anyone here.

Rowing is good too.  Skipping is very good for thin fin pinching or pebble-squeezing betwix thumb and forefinger.

[slackline]

For example:  Splitting a few trees worth of logs w/ a splitting axe; debarking trunks w/ a spokeshave-type tool; breaking concrete w/ a sledgehammer.  OK - this is labour based, not on everyones wishlish.  I know some guys who labour though don't climb but have a pinch-grip that would shame anyone here.

Don't at least two of these examples actually involve pumping action to an extent though?  Okay the main aim isn't to grip hard, release, repeat ad nauseum, but the action of swinging an axe/sledgehammer at least involves gripping tighter whilst swinging, and a looser grip as you slide you hand up the shaft to the head and raise it above the shoulder, before gripping the shaft tightly and swinging down on the substrate your pulverising.

Reading that back it all sounds a bit 

[Stubbs]

Training with a CoC doesn't usually involve a pumping action, in fact I think the Iron Minds site advises against pumping them. Rather training should be attempting to close the gripper as much as possible and holding in that position.

[Houdini]

Axes, oars, powerballs, plastic holds, rock et al:  the handle is solid.  Slackers misconstues my meaning.  CoC:  I find them somewhat painful to use, though not too much has got to be good.  Find it hard to see them as useless in the great sceme of things. 

www.beastskills.com    Recall some grip training stuff on here, amongst other horrific acts of beastliness/foolishness.

[Houdini]

sceme

I hate bad spelling.   

[Monolith]

I've got thin skin and ratty fingers and don't suffer. Maybe trying to close a number 2 was maybe a step too far? Take it down to a 1.5 until you're comfortable with it. As Stubbs says, sack the pump and go for holding your gripper closed and slowly releasing it back to it's normal position.

[slackline]

I hate bad spelling.   

misconstrues

My bad on the misinterpretation.

[Captain Sam]

Just wanted to ad that i am a firm beliver in captains of crush sins the past 2 months, it really increases the strenght in your fingers and hands.  So far i have closed the nr 2,5 with both hands and i closed the nr 2 in my first session whith that gripper. However the nr 3 seems to be very elusive, 2mm left  My boulderinggrade has proportinally increased whith my progression on the grippers  Listen to what Stevie Haston has to say about captains of crush, hes spot on!

Ps my spelling is not that good, im swedish.

[Monolith]

You are Swedish and you are right! Stevie Haston may well speak sense about Captains, but what does he know of dynos? 

[carefultorque]

  Listen to what Stevie Haston has to say about captains of crush, hes spot on!

 

What does Stevie Haston to say about captains of crush?  Please enlighten us or post a link direct to the man himself.

Looking forward.

[Captain Sam]

Hi. I took this from another thread about pinchstreangth from "shooting the shit", presumably from the man himself!?

"hello I am looking for stuff to get me stoked at the moment and as you lot occasionally do that, I,ll try to help you with the strength stuff. Captain of crush grippers are great fun and do help your grip much greater than a lotta big names in climbing will care to admit. There is some argument about how to use them but even if you use them in a slap dash manner they will still help. a number one for people of about 45 kgs is ok, a number two for people around 60 kgs, a number 3 for people of 75 kg and above. As Houdini implied people with big hands have an advantage, but so what, on routes advantages are had by differing morphologies too. If you use them for squessing repetively, I think the carry over to climbing is not as great as if you try different static holds,you can use them in many ways to mimic climbing holds, just think about it. They are great for improving pinch strength, and for the ring and little finger in the normal grip, but if you turn the gripper upside down with the spring by your little finger it will favour or stress your index finger more. the latter method might give climbers a better chance of closing bigger grippers. The most gains I got were when I put something between the handles and held the gripper so that as soon as my pressure slackened the object would fall, there is a photo of me doing it in a mag somewhere with a little weight attached and the photo is incorrectly   defined. If I am not clear I,ll try to reply,but not to rude people, the scales thing is good fun but the numbers dont have a direct carry over to the grippers all though they are an interesting test. Grippers vary alot so a number three could be out by about 30 lbs of squezze and that is alot, I have four 3 and they are all different but it doesnt matter, there are now middle sizes which will help you a great deal, anyway hope this helps, dont get injured, stevie"
 
This is what i mean whith spot on!

I myself have not been doing static holds yet and i have still experienced good gains in all grippositions exept mayby closed crimp, so there is probably even more to gain