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If you want to simulate our "arboreal ancestors" to improve grip strength then you could probably do no better than joining a rock climbing gym. Every time I vi

If you want to simulate our "arboreal ancestors" to improve grip strength then you could probably do no better than joining a rock climbing gym. Every time I visit mine I leave with my forearms aching and plenty of freshly torn calluses. It's fun as hell, maybe in part because we as humans used to need an inborn propensity for it.

brianmwaters_hn 10y ago
Totally anecdotal here, but I would not hesitate to wager that many climbers' grip strengths lie way outside the normal range. The sport has a higher grip exercise-to-cardiovascular exercise ratio (however you might measure that) than probably any other sport that exists today.
- rangibaby 10y ago
  Another way of building your grip strength is deadlifting raw, although that is anaerobic.
  - test1235 10y ago
    raw ... ?
    - kevinnk 10y ago
      Without a deadlift suit[1]. Some people also use "raw" to mean without straps as well[2]. [1] https://gometal.com/product/pro-king-deadlift-suit/ https://gometal.com/product/pro-king-deadlift-suit/ [2] https://www.paulcheksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wrist-Strap-in-use.jpg https://www.paulcheksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wri...
      - epimetheus 10y ago
        Straps are key though, if you are like me, and suffer from chronic Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Deadlifting heavy will exacerbate the condition (or high reps with 6-7 RPE even). It does seem to get better if I don't use them for my warmups and do use them for working sets, but I still get twinges.
      - Neliquat 10y ago
        Only ever heard it for straps.
      - ChemicalWarfare 10y ago
        Equipped DL puts more strain on the grip simply because the weight is heavier. The best DL-like movement that specifically targets grip strength is partial DLs off the blocks or in the rack. That way the weight is heavier and you can specifically target the lockout hold where the grip strength is most important DL - wise.
      - saiya-jin 10y ago
        you mean just normal dead lifts... never had the need to use those, but then I focus on more reps with smaller weights to mitigate injury risk, rather than max weight possible.
- sandworm101 10y ago
  Maybe for 'gym rat' climbers. Gyms have larger holds and steeper walls. Climbing in the real world is more about balance and legs/feet. You almost never hang off your hands. Instead you are gripping tiny flakes of rock in an effort to keep weight over your feet. Hands and fingers will get abused in cracks (something gyms dont have) but im not so sure about grip.
  - bluebeard 10y ago
    Yeah, I think people are also confusing grip endurance with grip strength. Pulling a 500+ lb bar off the ground requires more grip strength than climbing on the walls supporting your body weight.
    - sandworm101 10y ago
      Also, different parts of the finger. Outdoor climbers use tip, indoor climber the first two knuckles. Weightlifter use the whole hand, which is probably best for measured grip.
  - cgh 10y ago
    Not trying to sound arrogant, but this is simply false. Source: me. I climb 5.13/V10.
    - sandworm101 10y ago
      And I lead 5.11c walls. It's a big sport.
ryanSrich 10y ago
Judo and Ju Jitsu as well. Grip and hand fighting are very integral to both combat sports. A sport like Ju Jitsu helps improve not only your grip strength, but foot dexterity and prehensility.
- tomsthumb 10y ago
  Jiu Jitsu is very concept oriented to boot. Strategy and understanding run deep. Honestly it would surprise me if jiu jitsu black belts weren't intellectually on the level of chess masters (obviously translated into the physical domain).
dota_fanatic 10y ago
Something to aim for with rock-climbing is no thick calluses, and especially not torn ones. All this requires is more care when going for / leaving a hold, by using the exact right angle and applied force for friction as needed. Letting go of the hold completely before falling instead of trying to defy the fall is also big for this. Not only will this save your skin, but this careful attitude will also minimize chance of serious injury, which is unfortunately all too common with rock climbing. It can be hard to say no to the wall, even when you know you're done ;)

brianmwaters_hn 10y ago

Totally anecdotal here, but I would not hesitate to wager that many climbers' grip strengths lie way outside the normal range. The sport has a higher grip exercise-to-cardiovascular exercise ratio (however you might measure that) than probably any other sport that exists today.

rangibaby 10y ago
Another way of building your grip strength is deadlifting raw, although that is anaerobic.
- test1235 10y ago
  raw ... ?
  - kevinnk 10y ago
    Without a deadlift suit[1]. Some people also use "raw" to mean without straps as well[2]. [1] https://gometal.com/product/pro-king-deadlift-suit/ https://gometal.com/product/pro-king-deadlift-suit/ [2] https://www.paulcheksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wrist-Strap-in-use.jpg https://www.paulcheksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wri...
    - epimetheus 10y ago
      Straps are key though, if you are like me, and suffer from chronic Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Deadlifting heavy will exacerbate the condition (or high reps with 6-7 RPE even). It does seem to get better if I don't use them for my warmups and do use them for working sets, but I still get twinges.
    - Neliquat 10y ago
      Only ever heard it for straps.
    - ChemicalWarfare 10y ago
      Equipped DL puts more strain on the grip simply because the weight is heavier. The best DL-like movement that specifically targets grip strength is partial DLs off the blocks or in the rack. That way the weight is heavier and you can specifically target the lockout hold where the grip strength is most important DL - wise.
    - saiya-jin 10y ago
      you mean just normal dead lifts... never had the need to use those, but then I focus on more reps with smaller weights to mitigate injury risk, rather than max weight possible.
sandworm101 10y ago
Maybe for 'gym rat' climbers. Gyms have larger holds and steeper walls. Climbing in the real world is more about balance and legs/feet. You almost never hang off your hands. Instead you are gripping tiny flakes of rock in an effort to keep weight over your feet. Hands and fingers will get abused in cracks (something gyms dont have) but im not so sure about grip.
- bluebeard 10y ago
  Yeah, I think people are also confusing grip endurance with grip strength. Pulling a 500+ lb bar off the ground requires more grip strength than climbing on the walls supporting your body weight.
  - sandworm101 10y ago
    Also, different parts of the finger. Outdoor climbers use tip, indoor climber the first two knuckles. Weightlifter use the whole hand, which is probably best for measured grip.
- cgh 10y ago
  Not trying to sound arrogant, but this is simply false. Source: me. I climb 5.13/V10.
  - sandworm101 10y ago
    And I lead 5.11c walls. It's a big sport.

ryanSrich 10y ago

Judo and Ju Jitsu as well. Grip and hand fighting are very integral to both combat sports. A sport like Ju Jitsu helps improve not only your grip strength, but foot dexterity and prehensility.

tomsthumb 10y ago
Jiu Jitsu is very concept oriented to boot. Strategy and understanding run deep. Honestly it would surprise me if jiu jitsu black belts weren't intellectually on the level of chess masters (obviously translated into the physical domain).

dota_fanatic 10y ago

Something to aim for with rock-climbing is no thick calluses, and especially not torn ones. All this requires is more care when going for / leaving a hold, by using the exact right angle and applied force for friction as needed. Letting go of the hold completely before falling instead of trying to defy the fall is also big for this. Not only will this save your skin, but this careful attitude will also minimize chance of serious injury, which is unfortunately all too common with rock climbing. It can be hard to say no to the wall, even when you know you're done ;)