What is Grip Sport?
Grip Sport is a sport which tests competitors’ grip strength, or more widely, hand, wrist, and forearm strength. Though grip strength is often equated with crushing strength (e.g. the ability to squeeze a gripper or someone’s hand), grip strength can be measured along several dimensions. Some of the basic dimensions are described here , though there are several others that may be tested in grip sport.
Grip sport as a unique discipline has origins in strongman exhibitions of strength, with classic grip feats typically done using known fixed weigh objects, such as anvil lifting, weight plate pinching and heavy dumbbell lifts. Modern grip contests typically use specially designed handles that attach to a loading pin, allowing incremental increases in weight to determine the winner and set new records.
One of the interesting aspects of grip sport is that the events tend to vary from contest to contest. This can keep training interesting, as there are constantly new challenges. Given that it is such a young sport, many Australian and International records are currently attainable by competitors who are willing to put forth the time and effort in their training.
The majority of Australian grip sport contests are run using standard rules as defined by Grip Sport International (GSI), a centralised sanctioning body to the various international organisations operating in Grip Sport. By following these rules, it ensures that grip sport performances can count towards record lists maintained by GSI.
Much content for this website has been provided by Eric Roussin a Canadian grip sport athlete and contest promoter.