Functional Hand Strength

You know, everyone likes to play "Celebrity Deathmatch" when it comes to some of the different exercises:

Squats vs. Deadlifts
Kettlebells vs. Dumbbells
Barbells vs. Machines

I'm sure you get the picture. What is going to ultimately determine whether one exercise is "better" than another is how many requirements it fills with what you are trying to accomplish combined with how much you enjoy that exercise in and of itself.

So, for example, if you wanted to build overhead pressing strength, you could do your presses with a barbell, a dumbbell, a kettlebell, a sack of potatoes or even Eclipse the cat - it really doesnt matter, resistance can come in any form you want
it to and as long as its performed progressively, you will get stronger.

However, if your goal is to get stronger at something specific say a barbell overhead press, the best way to do that is to train the barbell overhead press.

Simple huh? Evidently not so much as there are a lot of "confuz-ed" people on this point.

Thing is, what you can also do is supplement an exercise for varietie's sake and compliment it with a similar exercise.

So for example, if you wanted to increase your overhead press, you could alternate workouts with barbell pressing with dumbbell pressing and the two exercises (or other similar modalities) would compliment each other very well.

There are some other things to keep in mind for this type of scheme that I will go into on a later date.

Anyhow, this brings us to todays matchup:

The Ivanko Super Gripper vs. Hand Grippers

So whats better? (If you are thinking "better for what?" you are on the right track.) They both provide a very effective workout, and they are both useful but keep in mind they are also both different.

Lets take a look at some of their unique qualities.

As far as progression is concerned, the Ivanko Super Gripper is obviously the favorite. Instead of needing multiple grippers, all you have to do is adjust the spring farther from the pivot point to increase the resistance.

And yes, the Ivanko Super Gripper can be adjusted from a levels easier than your grandmother could use all the way up to levels that would challenge the Worlds Strongest Man

Theres over 50 levels of adjustment so the Super Gripper is going to give you an effective workout no matter who you are.

This also makes the Super Gripper pretty useful if you are on the go, just pack it in your suitcase and youre off (never mind the funny stares from the x-ray checkers at the airport)

But does this make hand grippers "obsolete?"

No, not by a longshot. Tune back in later today to find out why.

Train hard,
John Wood

P.S. In the meantime, youll definitely want to zip on over to this page and pick up an Ivanko Super Gripper for yourself if you haven't done so already. Up, up and away!

Ivanko Super Gripper