T Nation 25th Anniversary Giveaway - Enter Now
Categories: Bigger Stronger Leaner

Tip: Test Your Grip Strength!

Besides the obvious problems with having the grip strength of a dead fish, a weak grip can cause elbow pain. If you can't carry a load equal to your bodyweight in each hand for 15 meters (a bit over 16 yards), your grip sucks.

Grip and Elbow Pain

A lack of functional grip strength not only limits your big-boy gym stats, but it can cause some horrific trauma to the deep finger and wrist flexors that adds up over time. You must improve your grip strength to prevent or eradicate elbow pain for the long run. If you think your grip is more than adequate, you're probably mistaken.

The Test: See if you can carry a load equal to your bodyweight in each hand for 15-20 meters. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you should be able to carry 400 total pounds for that distance.

Farmers Walk

Yes, that's pretty damn heavy! At the very least, a functional carry should consist of 75% of your bodyweight in each hand. If you aren't here, it's time to just get better at the basics.

How to Get Stronger

To enhance elbow health while increasing maximal grip force output, increase the load on your carries in a linearly periodized progression. Keep the distance relatively short (10-15 meters) and treat your loads no differently than any other strength movement in your arsenal.

Program carries at least twice a week, making sure adequate rest periods are taken between sets. The goal is to increase your anaerobic capacity, not to walk around with 50 pounds in each hand for a half hour like you're a UPS deliveryman.

Recent Posts

  • Stuff We Make

Mag-10

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 65

Ask Me Anything I receive great questions in my T Nation Community Coaching Lab. If…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 64

Ask Me Anything I get a lot of great questions in my T Nation Community…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Your Warm-Up Is Killing Your Workout... and Gains

An Exaggerated Warm-Up Isn't Helpful I don't know when the lengthy warm-up became a thing,…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Assess Your Metabolic State, Dominate Your Workout

Training and Your Metabolic State When I think "workout," I think of speeds. Your metabolic…

2 years ago