History Of The Grip Aid

If you pause to consider the amount of gear most athletic pursuits require, weightlifting ranks low on the list.  It doesn’t take much equipment to “git’r done" for bodybuilding, power lifting, or just plain weightlifting.  You can “get it going on” with access to a decent gym, workout wear, good shoes and for the hardcore, a set of weightlifting hooks or straps and a belt.  In this respect things haven’t changed all that much since the Golden Age of weightlifting began in the early 1940’s, with exception of course to weightlifting straps/hooks...

You see grip aids weren’t much needed in the bygone era of fixed weight barbells, limited equipment and general ignorance of the principle of progressive overload.  But that all changed with the passing years as advances in technology brought new exercise machines and weight adjustable barbells. A better understanding of adaptive processes also helped to convert repetition based workouts to more advanced escalating weight/descending rep. types. The end result of all this “progress” had weightlifters banging bigger weights than ever before as they pushed to expand the envelope of genetic potential.  Along about this time...

A universally recognized “lift-limiter” reared its head as weightlifters found themselves struggling to hold on. Fact was the lesser muscles of hands and forearms were simply overcome at some point in the progression by legs, back and traps masses causing lifters to peak out prematurely.  At least those who hadn’t acquired a set of those new “weightlifting straps" that some enterprising, overachieving muscle head created!  This simple yet effective solution to the grip slip dilemma was nothing more than a strap with a loop sewn on one end.  The other end was slipped through the loop to create a “noose” through which a hand was placed.  The user would then wrap the dangling strap end around the resistance grip and go. 

And so it went for this now primitive “hold on” which surprisingly is still being used today (due in no small part to its dollar store pricing), which brings us to the next progression in the world of grip aids, namely the “padded” weightlifting wrist strap. From there evolution morphed again into the non-constricting, “noose less” weightlifting wrist strap and from there into the latest version featuring a padded tongue with which to wrap the weight for less “fingernastics”.  And so it seemed that with all the advancements and offerings weightlifting straps presented, all would be right in metal land...

Well not quite, for some despised the wrist crush of originals distained the “tedious wrap” crap and longed to forget gripping to better focus on their lifting.  Enter in the “other” grip assist aid introduced to the world in the early 1980’s, the weightlifting hook.  Now this ingenious item was first introduced as a nylon wrist wrap from which dual hooks suspended like the claws of an eagle.  This invention promised lifters the ability to “hook and go” without the need to screw around with the tedious old strap and wrap process.  Hoorah!  Not so fast...



Unfortunately and due entirely to improperly designed hooks, these grip aids tended to come “unhooked” just as fast!  Interestingly enough, despite progress in wrist wrap comfort, security and multiple versions of “hooks” over the years; this core issue was never addressed.  Another problem with this now common grip aid was the inability to manipulate the hook location for optimal placement in the hand and while it’s true “one” manufacturer got this corrected, well okay two, once again the primary reason preventing hooks from achieving super star status was the hook design itself.
But, that was then and this is now...

Someone finally got this grip assist aid thing right!  The newest kid on the block must have done his homework as this “hybrid” delivers the best of both worlds.  That’s right, the latest in grip assist technology gives users a first ever choice between traditional “strap-n-wrap” or quick “hook ups” all in the same grip aid.  As for the hooks themselves, these patented beauties were engineered to get-r-done  with a true” center pull” design which stays put even with an open hand…(something you best never try with original style hooks)! You can also put these hi-tech hooks where you need them in seconds as these babies feature tricked out multiple hook slots.  Lastly, you won’t find a more comfortable better made wrist wrap than these…as it seems they used the expensive closed cell foam which should make even the limpest of wrists happy!
And speaking of limp wrists...

It’s true that too much of a good thing is well…too much.  Yes, the over use of grip aids will result in loss of grip strength.  The trick to maintaining your grip on the sub max stuff is to use it!  Then when the going gets serious heavy, hook up or strap up and go for it!  The bottom line in all this is as our forefathers discovered long ago. Maximum potential will not happen if your”losing it”, period...

As for those bodybuilders that think grip aids are for” wimps” or “power lifters”, they obviously don’t understand the art of “muscle targeting”, which can dramatically improve results if practiced with a grip aid worthy of such (read hook)! If you don’t believe it, try “open handing” (finger “tip” grip only) a latt pull down or dumbbell row and you’ll soon understand the significance once the soreness settles in! 

To summarize the point of all of this...
how bad do you want it?   

History (and physiology) proves a limit to your strength and size exists, the law of adaptation demands this be overcome to progress.  Modern technology has delivered the solution.  Bottom line, if you’re serious about rockin' your world, don’t be a strap and hook up to your true potential!

Resistance Exercise Group Assist Aids
(R.E.G.A.A.)
Wrist wrapping devices commonly employed by resistance exercisers to aid in maintaining hold of barbells, dumbbells, weight machine armatures (i.e. resistance implements) during pulling exercise movements performed to target muscles of the legs, back, shoulders, trapezius, etc.  The dominance in size and strength of said muscle groups commonly exceeds that of hands and their ability to maintain grip thus creating a “weak link” in the line of pull between muscles and resistance in its various forms.  This inability to sufficiently “load” the targeted muscle groups and/or bypass the “quick to fatigue” lesser muscles of the forearm and hand, spawned the birth of R.E.G.A.A. in various “full grip” and “semi grip” designs.

Traditional Art

Traditional Art: The forerunner of current arts R.E.G.A.A. are commonly referred to as “weightlifting straps”, simple devices comprised of nylon or cotton strapping material which embody a bare “male” end and a looped and sewn “female” eyelet.  To employ said weightlifting straps user slips “male” end through “female” eyelet to form a simple slip joint through which user hand is passed.  User then rotates eyelet to opposite side as thumb, leaving “male” bare end dangling down across open palm to extend beyond fingertips.  User next positions loose “male” end of strap over resistance item to be lifted, placing said item between palm and strap.  User is now ready to secure connection to resistance item and does so with several twisting motions of the wrist/hand which effectively “draws down” the hand to the resistance item to be lifted.  User completes attachment process and secures grip by closing and gripping hand/fingers over strap resistance item.  Exercise movement may now commence without fear of slippage as long as user retains handgrip closure. 

Traditional Art

Pros

Weightlifting wrist straps primary benefits are simplicity of design, budget pricing and ability to accommodate multiple hand sizes with the security of a no slip wrist wrap (commensurate with slip knot tendencies to draw tighter in direct proportion to amount of resistance used, in conjunction with speed of
exercise movement). 

Cons

Weightlifting wrist straps primary drawbacks are #1; the inconvenience of
a tedious “wrapping” procedure (which can consume a good portion of one’s “between set” recovery period and set up time, better utilized resting and preparing for concurrent bouts of exercise).  #2; the risk and discomfort of the slip joint design caused by its constrictive nature (which imposes severe stress on delicate wrist and hand connective tissue and blood vessels).  #3; lastly, the need for user to retain a tight grip on resistant apparatus at all times during the exercise movement to retain loads.  This disallows the preferred “semi-open grip”, (which prevents undue fatigue of hand and forearm while simultaneously ensuring maximal contraction of targeted muscle groups) for “submax” hypertrophy lifts.

Current Art

Current Art: The evolution of “traditional arts” weightlifting straps has led to various manifestations of attachment both to wrists and items to be lifted.  Regarding wrist attachments, they can now be found to employ wider, more joint friendly wrapping materials in both padded and unpadded forms.  Additionally, users may now adjust wrist attachment means to a fixed degree of tightness, via use of a simple wrap, lap and velcro down system inferior to more recent slip through, drawback and velcro down buckle style systems (which deliver a tighter, more slip resistant attachments to wrists).

Current Art A

Resistance implement attaching methods have also produced assorted embodiments combined with aforementioned wrist attachment styles.  Current Art A (padded lifting straps) features a padded slip through, drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a resistance implement “strap
and wrap” method of attachment common to traditional arts weightlifting
wrist straps.

Pros

Padded lifting straps benefits are the users’ ability to secure a non-constricting, fixed wrist wrap snug enough to resist slippage without incurring the joint tissue stress associated with traditional arts weightlifting straps.  Additionally, padded lifting straps “wrap and strap” method of attachment delivers multiple user capacity and a secure closed fisted implement hold.

Cons

 Drawbacks are the tedious resistance implements wrapping procedure common to traditional arts “weightlifting straps”, and the need to keep hand tightly closed over strapped and wrapped resistance implement.  Said close fisted grip disallows user the option of utilizing the preferred “semi open” hand grip that minimizes biceps and forearm involvement while maximizing users’ ability to effectively target the desired muscles of back and shoulders.

Current Art B

Cursa Grips

Current Art B: The “Cursa Grip” utilizes a padded, slip through & drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment, from which a modified strap (which more closely resembles a pad) suspends.  The resistance implement attaching procedure mimics “Traditional Art” and “Current Art A” method of “strap and wrap” in that said “pad” is folded over resistance implement and secured with a tight, closed hand grip.

Pros

Cursa Grips: Advantages are a secure, non-constricting and slip resistance wrist wrap inherent to “Current Art A”, yet with a reduced resistance implement wrapping time, made possible via the modified strap or “pad”, which requires only one wrap versus three or more common to “Traditional” and “Current Arts A” strap & wrap. The primary benefit of Cursa Grips is a rapid and secure closed hand attachment to resistance. 

Cons

Disadvantages to Cursa Grips are the inability to accommodate multiple user hand sizes, and the need for hand to remain “tightly closed” at all times during use to prevent slippage of resistance item.  This often induces a state of fatigue in lesser muscles of the hand and arms leading to diminished ability to optimally stress larger targeted muscles of the back and shoulders.

Current Art C

Current Art C:  Weightlifting hook employs a padded, slip through, drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a single “hook” suspending downward from wrist to inside of palm and curling upward.  User simply “hooks” resistance implement gripping device and commences exercise movement.

Pros

Weightlifting Hook advantages are the secure, non-constricting and slip resistant wrist wrap inherent to Current Art A and B and the ease and speed of attachment made possible by the implement attachment hook.

Cons

Disadvantages associated with Weightlifting Hook are its inability to accommodate multiple user sizes and it’s dangerous resistance implement attachment method which is prone to “roll off” during use catching users unaware after having placed inappropriate confidence in the hooks ability to retain the load.  Said slippage is due to shallow non-centering hook design and the “see saw” effect instigated by uneven loading of “hooks”.

User must also place excessive attention on retaining a load (that typically supercedes  natural gripping ability) rather than focusing on targeted muscles of the legs, back and shoulders. 

Current Art D

Current Art D:  Weightlifting hooks utilize simple wrap, lap and Velcro down wrist attachment system from which a “dual” hook suspends to inside of palm curling upward and away from such.  As with Current Art C, user simply “hooks” over implement to be lifted and commences exercise movement. 

Pros

Weightlifting Hooks advantages are a non-constrictive wrist wrap and the ease and speed of attachment inherent to its resistance implement “hooking” method.  Additionally, the dual hooks negate the see saw effect common to “Current Art C” (“weightlifting “hook”) ensuring a more secure hold of resistance implements. 

Cons

Disadvantages indigenous to weightlifting hooks are an inability to adequately tighten down wrist wrap to prevent slippage under load, wrist discomfort caused by  lack of padding and the inability to accommodate users of various dimensions should hooks not lie in the approximate center of palm for proper fit. Another serious drawback is improper hook design, which can initiate sudden “roll off” under load leading to resistance implement droppage.  Additionally, as with” Current Art C,” user must constantly divert attention from exercise movement to monitor hook attachment.

Current Art E

Current Art E:  Employs a padded, slip through, drawback Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a steel trough suspending downward from wrist inside of palm and curling upward.  Used simply “hooks” resistance implement gripping device and commences exercise movement.

Pros

Advantages are a secure, non- constricting and slip resistant “wrist wrap” inherent to “current are A & B” and the ease and speed of attachment made possible by the implement attach trough.  Additionally Current Art E utilizes a simple slip adjustment on steel trough suspension strap to accommodate users of all hand sizes.

Cons

Primary disadvantages are incorrect “trough” design (which prevents load “centering”, leading to implement slippage and loss of control), in addition to the trough channels inability to adequately “wrap” around common resistance implements to provide maximum security and usefulness.

Recent Invention

Pros

Recent  invention, the “Hi -Tech" Weightlifting Hooks/Straps”, solve all problems associated with R.E.G.A.A. by firstly providing the preferred wrist wrapping method in a padded form of the slip-through, draw back, and Velcro down system. This delivers a slip resistant and wrist friendly attachment.
 
Secondly, the novel strap and hook resistance implement combination allows users the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable, slip-resistant wrist attachment, while utilizing “Traditional Arts” and “Current Art C” strap and wrap method of  attachment to resistance.  Additionally, should user wish to utilize the more rapid and effective “semi-open” hand grip for better isolation of targeted muscle groups, the exerciser can now opt to “hook up” to avoid  the tedious strap and wrap method of attachment. 

Thirdly, users of all hand sizes may enjoy the benefits of the hook method of attachment due to “Hi-Tech” Weightlifting Strap/Hooks” multiple attachment sleeves. These provide for quick and easy hook removal and vertical replacement ensuring the ideal hook/palm relationship is achieved.
 
Lastly, users can confidently perform heavy resistance exercise movements without fear of hook “roll off” and subsequent loss of load due to “Hi-Tech” Weightlifting Straps/Hooks novel hook design.  Proper engineering of such places the resistance implement load correctly in the hook’s center, thereby negating “roll off” by aligning center of pull though palm and directly into wrist attachment. Lastly, regardless of which method of resistance implement attachment is chosen, (Traditional strap-n-wrap or rapid hook up) user can utlize either form with this new R.E.G.A.A. in accordance to personal exercise preferences.

Article contains original script as
issued to the United States Patent Office. 
By Daniel Emick