So I’m at the Arnold Classic recently and saw the FatGripz booth; another one of those “why the hell didn’t I think of this?!” simple products that adds so much potential value to a workout for the cost, it’s a ‘no-brainer’ to own them. While at the booth, I did a few sets of chins ( see minute 3:20 of vid from Arnold below) and as usual, I could feel it in my grip, and arms much more so then if doing it without the FatGripz. They are one of those uber simple cost effective products that simply works in an increasingly overly complicated world, but more on that shortly…
Here’s a simple fact of life: if your back and legs can dead-lift 700lb, but your grip ends at 300lbs, your dead-lift is 300 lbs. Thus, your grip is truly the final link in the chain that dictates what you can pull off the ground or what you can hold onto in general, be it a chin up bar, barbell, or other objects. Your grip is your ultimate contact with the weights. For strength athletes, such as power lifters, strongman competitors, and others, grip strength is king. Without it, you are no place. When it comes to strength, you are only as strong as your weakest link and most strength athletes know that fact all too well.
True, I mention that issue in the write up specific to bbers as they are most common users of straps looking to reduce the weak link in some exercises by using straps. That can lead to a much weaker grip, but as purely visual athletes, grip is not important to them from a visual perspective. However, used correctly, fatgripz and like products will be a benefit to bbers also.
Probably, but that will be soft, impossible to move from say curles to chins, to deadlifts, etc. Some will just wrap a towel around things, and other variations you can try for sure, though for $40 for two pairs, how well made they are, easy to use, etc., I’m a fan of the fatgripz I must say.
Then the fatgripz would especially well for that I would think. One can potentially use all sorts of things to thicken the grip of a bar, chin bar, etc, the fatgripz will be firmer, stay attached to the bar, and will mimic the true feel/experience of fat grip bar training as used/recommended by people like Poliquin et al.
As an analogy, one can squat with a gas pipe and buckets full of water hung on the ends for weight, but its not as comfortable, its not made specifically for that purpose, not as easy to change weight, etc, etc, you get the idea.
If you have $40 to spend - and that’s for 2 pairs which will probably out last the user - then another good tool in the training tool box, but with some creativity, I’m sure the effect can be had via other means.
So they are split and can be added to a bar with fixed weights? Also, the dumbells I have are the type with the tapered grip being fatter in the middle and narrower at the sides, will this product work with that type?
Yes, they are split, so they connect up to anything round more or less. Not sure what the effect would be of using them on dumbells with handles not even in width, but I suspect they would work fine as they are thick stiff rubber. You might want to check on the return policy if you don’t like how they perform on those dumbells. For the $$$, put them on a chin bar, they are great for that alone.
What I use for grip/forearms is a piece of a broken shovel handle cut to 12-18" with a hole drilled through the center and about a 3’ long piece of rope tied to a weight. Then I just grab each side in hand and wind it up and down. It takes very little to get a good work out as the weight can be varied quite easily.
+1 just started using them this week. Although, so far I haven’t pushed myself very hard. I have done a lot of grip strength training over the years so this is more of an added tool and not a revolutionary step for me.
Shrugs are harder but I’ve been using a finger grip for a year now which has been a huge help. If I switch to a tight fisted grip for shrugs with these definitely notice a difference. Finger grip not so much.
Flat bench I can’t really tell a difference, might actually be easier due to the padding.
Decline or incline bench harder.
Zottmon curls = much much harder.
Regular curls = slightly harder
Hammer curls = depends on if I’m letting the weight rest on my fist or if I’m holding the weight. If I’m not resting the weight this is easily twice as hard
Does not seem to impact tricep exercises unless I’m doing skull crushers with my arms extended so that the weight is at an angle over my head and I’m not allowing a bone lock for load bearing
I’d say dips are easier with these
Pullups and chinups are harder but again, I’ve taught myself to hang by my fingers and that has helped a lot.
Going to try them on kettlebells tomorrow and do some more dumb bell exercises with different ranges of motion.
Basically, anything that really requires a strong grip will see benefit from these. Anything where you have a bone lock or range of motion where the weight is in a more load bearing position is a toss-up for me.
Was eyeballing FatGripz and my brother bought me a pair. FatGripz? More like PuzzyGripz cuz that’s how you gonna feel the first time you use them. I dropped 15lbs off my DB curls, am embarrassed to admit how badly they affected reverse curls and am totally ashamed how long (short) I could hold 135 with these things on the bar. The next day my forearms ached in ways I never thought possible. After a month my grip is measurably increased. They are an excellent tool to have in the gym toolbox. I would suggest getting the laser engraving to prevent them from walking off. The free workout plan they let you download sucks except for 1 golden tidbit: decline narrow grip benchpress. Kinda hard to find the groove the first time but damn do they hit your tri’s.
You don’t need thick handle/fatgripz to start, but that depends on your goals a and having a good grip essential for reasons outlined in write up linked. There’s various ways to incorporate some thick handle/fatgripz work into a programs.
Simple method/example:
add a few back-off sets with thick grips. An example for pull ups might be:
Sets 1-3 - Normal Grip Pull up
Sets 4 & 5 - Thick Grip Pull Up
This way the back will still be challenged, and the final two sets will also challenge the grip.
Another option might be to add an exercise with a thick grip after an initial exercise with a standard grip. For example:
Exercise 1: 3-5 sets of standard grip pull ups
Exercise 2: Inverted row with a thick rope or TRX / Blast Straps with thick handles/Fatgripz
Those are simple ideas, but you can find much indepth ways via writings of people like Charles Poliquin, articles on Elite Fitness, etc.
