Are Power Grips Necessary? Pros and Cons Learned After 10 Years of Strength Training｜佐々木 健太｜BIG3 500kg
If you are wondering whether to buy power grips,
then please read until the end. In this article, I have summarized the following information about power grips.
☑︎ What are power grips
☑︎ Why power grips are necessary
☑︎ Pros and cons of power grips
☑︎ Who needs power grips
☑︎ What I felt after 10 years of strength training
☑︎ The power grips I use
In conclusion, power grips are one of the items that will improve your strength training performance. You will be especially impressed the moment you use power grips for back training. When I first used them, I was surprised at how effective they were. I have been strength training for about 10 years, and they have become an indispensable item for me now.
10 years of strength training experience | BIG3 500kg achieved
Squat 170kg
Bench press 130kg
Deadlift 200kgI record what I have done to increase my weight, focusing on the BIG3.
Bench press, squat, and deadlift
I also write about training, weight loss, and diet.I hope this reaches those who want to continue strength training and get stronger little by little.
1. What are power grips
Power grips refer to items like the one in the image. A characteristic feature is that they have a tongue. Since there are also items like wrist wraps and wrist straps, be careful not to confuse them.
The purpose of using power grips is to improve strength training performance. They are mainly useful for back exercises. These include exercises like chin-ups, lat pulldowns, seated rows, and deadlifts.
When doing back training, your grip strength becomes a limiting factor. Because you are pulling an object, you may find yourself in a situation where your grip strength gives out before your back muscles do. Power grips are there to support you in that regard.
It is no exaggeration to say that among the many training gears available, I have benefited the most from these. That is how much I feel they are an item I am glad I bought.
2. Why power grips are necessary
The reason power grips are necessary, as I mentioned earlier, is to improve your strength training performance. To delve a little deeper, the following reasons can be cited.
・Prevent grip fatigue
・Prevent what you are holding from slipping
Regarding grip strength, it is noticeably demonstrated in the back exercises I introduced earlier. When you perform the action of “pulling an object,” friction occurs between the object and your hand, so it will slip away if you do not hold onto it.
The part from your elbow to your fingertips works hard to prevent that from happening. More specifically, the tissue called the forearm. It is a common story that “the forearms are more tired than the back,” and that is where the item called power grips comes into play.
Regarding the other point, that what you are holding does not slip. If you look at 24-hour gyms, you can see people using power grips for exercises like dumbbell bench presses and dumbbell shoulder presses as well.
By wearing power grips, they are likely trying to keep the dumbbells from slipping out of their hands. The benefits of not letting go include being able to concentrate on the strength training and preventing the dumbbells from falling.
These two points are why power grips are necessary. Next, I will talk about the pros and cons of power grips.
3. Pros and Cons of Power Grips
I have summarized my thoughts on the pros and cons of power grips.
3-1. Pros
The first is preventing grip fatigue. To put it extremely, you can perform strength training without “gripping,” which prevents your arms from getting exhausted, especially during back exercises. Looking at 24-hour gyms, most people use them for back exercises.
The second is not slipping. Power grips are useful for more than just back exercises. They are surprisingly versatile. In addition to the dumbbell bench presses and dumbbell shoulder presses mentioned earlier, some people use them for side raises, lying extensions, and barbell curls.
3-2. Cons
The first is the possibility of becoming too dependent on power grips. In training, I believe that the act of “gripping” is also an important ability. Therefore, I do not recommend using power grips from your very first day of strength training. It is okay if your arms get tired. That is how your forearms get thicker. First, just strengthen your own hands.
The second is cost. Power grips vary widely in price. They range from about 2,000 yen to about 10,000 yen. Since it is an item that costs money at the very least, some people might hesitate. Especially for someone in their 20s, 10,000 yen is an expensive purchase. If you just want to try them out, it might be one option to try a cheaper pair.
4. Who Needs Power Grips?
I have summarized my own thoughts in a bulleted list.
・Those who will continue training in the future
・Those who feel they have reached their limit with bare-handed strength training
・Those who have felt the benefits after using them
Power grips are not expensive training gear compared to other items. They are not bulky, so it is fine to have one pair.
If you want to try them out, borrowing a friend’s power grips is one option (if your friend has them). They are easier to get into compared to things like belts.
5. What I Felt After 10 Years of Strength Training
About 10 years have passed since I started strength training. I remember that I got my power grips about 4 or 5 years ago. As I have discussed so far, I am one of the people who has benefited from power grips. Now, I cannot imagine training without power grips.
On the other hand, recently I sometimes intentionally train without using power grips. As I mentioned a little earlier, I cannot help but feel that if you rely too much on power grips, your “gripping” ability will be impaired. Based on the idea that it is better to be able to grip to some extent, I sometimes intentionally do it without wearing power grips.
Of course, my forearms get a full pump that day. When you do back training bare-handed, your forearms really stand out. Even so, there are many things I notice, and “Oh, the sensation is better bare-handed,” or “Maybe it’s better to grip like this,” which are positive aspects. So, I take off my power grips and do strength training depending on my mood.
Power grips are not absolutely essential. Having thick forearms is also cool. By the way, I am often complimented on my forearms. I think so too (shut up).
6. The Power Grips I Use
Finally, I will introduce two types of power grips I have used.
6-1. ALL OUT
“Buying power grips for the first time”
“Want to try something reasonable for now”
Recommended for those who say this. You can train sufficiently. If you look at 24-hour gyms, I think most people are using power grips from this brand called ALL OUT. There is also a wide variety of colors. It is a popular item regardless of gender.
6-2. VERSA GRIPPS®
“Want something high quality”
“Have some extra money to spend”
Recommended for those who say this. I currently use these power grips. They are flawless.The size, the length of the tongue, and the non-slip grip are all perfect. If you can afford it, I recommend purchasing these. You won’t regret buying them.
3-3. For those who don’t know their size
For those who don’t know their size, I will introduce my size for reference.
Wrist circumference: 16cm
ALL OUT: Feels a bit large in size M
VERSA GRIPPS®: Size S is a perfect fit
I have also posted photos, so please use them as a reference.
7. Summary
I have talked about power grips up to this point. I have included a summary, so please use it as a reference.
☑︎ Power grips reduce grip fatigue and improve the quality of your training
☑︎ They are especially compatible with back exercises such as chin-ups, lat pulldowns, and deadlifts
☑︎ They can also be used as anti-slip aids, making them useful for exercises other than back workouts
☑︎ Because they are convenient, it is important not to rely on them too much and to train your “gripping strength” with bare hands sometimes
☑︎ If it’s your first time, try something reasonable, and if you plan to use them for a long time, it is also recommended to choose high-quality ones
Power grips are excellent items among training gear.Just having one will definitely make your strength training life more enjoyable. It’s worth the price of skipping a night out. Why not get one for yourself?
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