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

Forget every cheap, plastic-handled gripper you've ever squeezed before. The Captains of Crush is on a completely different level, and you feel it the moment you pick it up, it's a serious piece of training equipment.The build quality is incredible. The knurled, aluminum handles feel substantial and provide a fantastic, non-slip grip, the spring mechanism is perfectly smooth and brutally consistent. There's no creaking, flexing, or anything that feels cheap. I started with the Trainer (100 lbs), and it was a humbling experience that immediately exposed the weakness in my grip. Unlike generic grippers with vague resistance levels, the CoC accurately rated and consistent, which means you can track real, measurable progress as you work your way up the levels. If you're serious about building a powerful, functional grip, this is the one tool to incorporate in your workout. It's a "buy it for life" product that truly lives up to its reputation as the gold standard.

These are the grip trainers to buy. The question is: where to start. I chose to start with the Sport gripper. I'm just about to turn 70, but I work out at the YMCA 3X per week, mainly using the weight machines, and of late I've been doing "dead hangs" around 30-40 seconds. I would say I'm reasonably fit for my age. The Sport was the perfect place for me to start. I can do a couple sets of 10 reps closing it all the way except for the last couple reps. IMHO, one needs to be careful and not overdo it, because it is easy to injure yourself. If you're having trouble closing it, don't force it, take a step down to a gripper you can close for reps. Give yourself a day or two to recover, then repeat. Slow and steady progression is the key. I think I'll be to the point where i want to start to try the Trainer gripper in a couple months. Hopefully working with these grippers to develop strength will work in synergy with the dead hang to develop endurance.

These are by far the best grippers in the game. They are the standard. The knurling is perfect, not too sharp, not too dull. They are very difficult compared to other grippers of similar ratings, hence the certification process being so difficult. They are one of the few high quality grippers that I can hold in my hand and feel will last a lifetime. They remain the same spread width and difficulty after years of use, unlike some cheap clones I've used. Don't waste money on cheaper alternatives with inferior materials out there -- you'll be happier and stronger.

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.

These are solidly built and have a no fluff design. I like the simplicity. I used to carry these around in my bag so I could train my grip on the go. The only issue is that some of them have gotten creaky over time, which makes it hard to use discreetly. There's also some rusting which I don't mind and is to be expected.

I got the trainer (No. 3, 100lbs). Today was the first day that I could legitimately close it all the way with my offhand. For comparison purposes, today I also did a weighted dead hang (200lbs total counting my body and the weight strapped to it) for one minute. The build quality is good, but the gnarling is a bit rough for me, which has me thinking about the Zephyr. To recap, for me: 4-5 true reps with full closure of No. 3 equals a one-minute dead hang of 200lbs total weight. I hope that helps you judge which gripper is right for you. Separately, I find dead hangs better for developing grip strength, but I can use my grippers anywhere.Update: I got the GD IRON GRIP in silicone and much prefer it. The GD IRON GRIP is adjustable, so you only need one. (It is a tad cumbersome to adjust, so you would not want to change the resistance for every set, but it is fine to adjust it to your gradually changing strength). Also, in silicone the GD IRON GRIP is easier on my skin. Captains of Crush looks better, but everything else favors GD IRON GRIP.

Good for warm up