Benefits Of Grip Strength and How To Improve It

ByTank Armstrong

Bodybuilding is such a complex topic. So complex in fact, that it's entirely possible to focus on the bigger picture and completely miss out on the precious detail. It's also so complex that people can spurt out spurious advice and get away with it. I generally see a lot of emphasis being placed upon exercises routines for your chest, legs and all the major muscle groups and for beginners, this kind of emphasis can take you very far indeed.

However, very few guides often tell you about the importance of a strong, vice like grip. Let's take a look at why this is in your best interests.There is only one reason as to why you would want to strengthen your grip. Well maybe two. But primarily, grip strength increases your potential for growth. Wait, what? Did I just say that? How could this be? Allow me to explain. We all know that progressive overload (increased weights) is the key to muscle growth right? Good, you're still with me. Now we also know that pulling movements (curls, deadlifts, rows) require a stronger grip the heavier you lift. Right? Therefore, it must follow, logically that is, that in order to obey the laws of progressive overload and lift heavier weights, you must strengthen your grip.

"But I can use wrist straps"

Hush you! Straps rob the potential for precious forearm development; a pleasant side effect of a strong grip. Now do not get me wrong, straps are excellent if you really want to isolate a muscle group without having to worry about your grip/forearms giving up before you get an effective workout. But you must always seek to delay their use as much as possible. You face problems here too. Using straps is very effective and you can gain a lot of mass very quickly. However, since your forearms are lagging way behind the rest of your body, you begin to struggle with other exercises such as chin ups/pull ups, dips, rows e.t.c. Forearm fatigue becomes an increasingly real issue.

"So what can I do?"

The answer is simple: Forearm exercises. They work on strengthening your forearms and as a result, tightening your grip. Also, you can purchase a forearm workout tool i.e. hand gripper to work on your forearms and your grip. These have varying grades of difficulty which you can work through. Also, for those who have access to a gym, a truly effective forearm exercise for increased grip strength is the static hold.

Here's how to perform a static hold. Remember to always consult your personal trainer before attempting to do this.

1. Load a barbell with weights. preferably your 10 rep deadlift max.
2. Assume the deadlift start position.
3. Lift the weight and hold at the top of deadlift position for 10 seconds.
4. Repeat.

For added difficulty, you can wrap two small towels around the bar where you'd normally grip. This will force you to grip harder on the bar so as to keep a hold of it, making the entire thing more difficult but also more beneficial!

Be sure to visit Tank Armstrong's site for more forearm workouts and also for information on how to get bigger forearms.

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Health and Fitness: Build-Muscle
Tank Armstrong

Email Address:SubscribeBuild Muscle Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesHow to Get Bigger Biceps - 4 Tips to Get Big Huge GunsHow to Get Bigger Forearms - Small Steps to Huge ForearmsTop Mass Building Workouts You Should Be Doing NowMy Top 15 Non-Traditional, Muscle Building, Fat Scorching Workouts3 Best Exercises to Build Huge Chest Muscle FastBuild Bigger Arms by Working Out Less!Personal Trainer - Motivation to Get You Where You Need to Be in Life - The New Fitness CoachesIncrease Bicep Size and Build Huge Arms Now!Triceps Workout - Pump Up Those Pythons With This Killer Routine!Adding Mass to Your Bony Arms With Resistance Training ExercisesRecent Articles5 Weight Training Mistakes That Can Limit Your GainsBest Nutrition During 5x5 Workout RoutineHow to Build Muscle Fast: Quick Tips to Jumpstart Your Training Right on TrackThe Single Best Way to Get Ripped!Learn How to Eat to Gain Muscle While Shedding FatWeight Training Basics To Actually Build MuscleThe Use Of Bulbine Natalensis In Body BuildingDo You Have Trouble Building Muscle? Are You Unable to Increase Your Weight? Eat, Sleep, and Lift!Simple Secrets To Get Sexy Six Pack AbsDiscover Body Building Supplies That Work For Any Body And Any WorkoutSubmitted On January 31, 2012. Viewed 15 times. Word count: 518.

MLA Style Citation:
Armstrong, Tank".".31 Jan. 2012EzineArticles.com.3 Feb. 2012 .APA Style Citation:
Armstrong, T. (2012, January 31). . Retrieved February 3, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-­Of-­Grip-­Strength-­and-­How-­To-­Improve-­It&id=6852382Chicago Style Citation:
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