IronMind Captains of Crush (COC) Hand Gripper - The Gold Standard of Grippers | The World's Leading Hand Strengthener

As someone who’s serious about strength training, the Captains of Crush Hand Grippers have become an essential part of my routine. I’ve purchased the Trainer (100 lbs), 0.5 (120 lbs), No. 1 (140 lbs), and No. 3 (322.5 lbs), and they’ve proven to be the standard for grip strength development at every level.Build QualityThe craftsmanship on these grippers is unmatched. The knurled aluminum handles provide a secure grip, even during intense workouts, and the spring mechanism is built to last. These feel indestructible and are clearly designed for people who are serious about increasing their grip strength.Progression and ChallengeEach gripper offers a unique challenge:Trainer (100 lbs): Perfect for beginners or as a warm-up tool for advanced users. It’s a great starting point to build confidence and form. However if you already have a strong grip you may want to pass this one for the 0.5.0.5 (120 lbs): A slight step up from the Trainer. It bridges the gap between beginner and intermediate levels, making it a staple for building grip endurance and strength. If you struggle with the No. 1, but find normal grippers easy this is a great option.No. 1 (140 lbs): A true benchmark for serious lifters. After many, many, many failed attempts, closing this for the first time felt like a significant milestone. In fact I've still not managed to close it with my left hand, and it may be several months before I get to that level.No. 3 (322.5 lbs): I foolishly purchased this years ago thinking my grip was above average. I can't even close this bad boy with 2 hands yet. However while I haven’t closed it yet, it serves as a motivating goal and still offers a lot just from the attempts. However if you haven't closed the 2 or 2.5 I would recommend you pass on this one.My ExperienceI became interested in grip when it started becoming a limiting factor in my deadlift before I finally adopted straps. I still incorporate these grippers into my routine 2–3 times a week, using the lighter ones for warm-ups and endurance training, while pushing my limits with the heavier grippers. Now that I've finally closed the No. 1, I plan to master it before progressing to the No. 1.5 and eventually the No. 2. It's also a lot of fun to see friends and family attempt them for the first time!Who It’s ForWhether you’re a beginner, an intermediate lifter, or a seasoned athlete, Captains of Crush has a gripper for you. The progression system allows you to scale up as your strength improves, and the quality ensures these tools will last for years.Final ThoughtsCaptains of Crush Hand Grippers are more than just a training tool—they’re a benchmark for grip strength enthusiasts. You can even check their website for the leaderboard of people who have closed them in competition. If you’re serious about improving your grip, these are a must-have. Just be prepared to work hard and feel incredibly rewarded when you crush your goals.

First of all, this thing is seriously tough to close. It’s rated at 167.5 lbs, and I expected it to be a bit easier but it’s definitely no joke! With its 6mm spring, the resistance is pretty intense! If you’re just starting out like me or unsure about your grip strength, I’d recommend going with the #1 first. The #1.5 is clearly designed for above average strength, and you can feel the difference right away!!! As for the product itself, the construction is solid and built to last. The knurling provides a great grip! Overall, it’s a quality piece of equipment, but DO NOT underestimate the resistance.

Lesson learned… I am not a ‘strong guy’. Reasoned a trainer would be a good starting point, nope, too much. Should have read the recommendations AND kept perspective of myself. These are intended to reach maximum output/effort with each attempt, and the last little bit is the most difficult to close, which I can’t do at the moment. Had to buy the next one down. Maybe I can work to be a kinda strong guy… some day. Goals.Edit… the sport, which is next down, is relatively easy to close, did it with both hands, right away. That is listed as 80lbs, the trainer at 100lbs. It still requires effort, just a noticeable difference.

I got my first two grippers, the Trainer and the 0.5 back in 2018 and I've trained just with those two for years, until a few months ago I decided it was time to take another step in my gripping journey and decided to get the # 1. It arrived today during the afternoon and fresh out of the package, I was able to do 5 reps with no issues (plus a couple more for the pictures I took for this review. It's very hard to take a picture of a close while trying to show the bottom of the gripper in good focus!).The build quality is just solid, easily the best grippers I've tried and owned over the years. The bump from the 0.5 to # 1 also feels right. Not too hard if you've been training regularly, but just hard enough to make you work for the next jump, the # 1.5.I put my old grippers, the Trainer and the 0.5, next to the fresh # 1 to show how my old ones have held up. You can see that the old springs have lost their shine and they've developed a little bit of rust where the spring makes it into the handles, but all of this is my fault as I've gotten lazy over time at giving them maintenance. But these are super easy to keep nice and shiny if you wanted to (and you should), and even after all these years, they feel great to close.

I appreciated the in-text recommendations for which one someone should buy. I think I got the right one for me. Between this and farmer's carries, this has improved my gripping ability for wrestling. It is much harder now for my opponents to fight my grip than it was before I bought this.

This is a great product that I have owned for 4 plus years. The construction and material are first rate. I can actually gauge the improvement in hand strength when I perform daily activities. I also notice the benefits when I workout. I would purchase this item again.

These are the real deal. The look on your friends face when they try to close them is priceless. The average person can not close these.

I had no issues with the 60lb one, but with the 80lb one it started squeaking a couple weeks after I started using it. Some 3-1 oil fixed it.