"Develop Awesome Grip Strength "

Modern fitness trends come and go, but traditional training methods withstand the test of time. Okinawan karate has a long line of Hojo Undo or object training devises for lifting and striking. Kung-fu also has them, including iron bars, lock-shaped weights, sand bags, buckets of stones, etc. Indian wrestlers have been swinging clubs for hundreds of years to develop strength. 

Arnis does not have such training as a rule. But it needs to. You need awesome grip strength to grab and lock your opponent and disarm his weapon. You also need an air-tight grip so your opponent can't take away your weapon!

Today, Coach Kevin Kearns shares his system of developing awesome grip strength and arm power with the use of sledgehammers. It is a modern twist on old training methods that work the entire body. After all, what use is a strong grip if your core and root are weak? Kevin's program teaches a progression for all body parts, with a focus on grip and arm strength. 

Love joint locking? Don't want to be disarmed? Check it out! 

Dr. Mark Wiley

Publisher, Tambuli Media

DEVELOP AN AWESOME GRIP!

By Coach Kevin Kearns

The value of grip training has been around since the early stages of athletics. Wrestlers of the early 1800s knew the value of grip training. Men like the "Great Gama" went undefeated for years because of their superior grip and endurance with that grip. This was in a time before there were gis to hold onto to as well. In one such match, the "Great Gama" outwrestled his opponent for three hours! The necessity of a vice-like grip was essential for the early strongmen of the circus era as well.

With a little research, you will find that the barbells and dumbbells of today would be considered a joke to these old timers. The first thing you'll notice is the bars were a lot thicker and did not roll at all. The pinch grip was developed to a high level as well. The irradiation theory also became popular when kettle bells came on the market. This theory states that you should crush grip your kettle bell so the "strength effect" irradiates through the entire kinetic chain of your arm and into your body. Personally, I found this extremely useful when I injured my left shoulder six months ago, and was not allowed to use it. I used this technique to rehab my left shoulder while I worked my right arm. When I was able to restart training my left arm, the strength returned quickly. Let's get down to the meat and potatoes of grip training. 

There is no doubt that grip strength is an important part of FMA Training. Emoty hand locks and traps and weapons holds and disarms all require dynamic and deadly grip strength. Hold the opponent, immobilize him, break his joints, take his weapon, and throw him to the ground!

Grip training can be accomplished in many different ways. I have seen a lot of great grip training from my mentors, like J.C. Santana, Douglas Brooks, and Kru Dellagrotte. One our favorite ways to train grip work is with heavy medicine balls. We are talking 50 pounds plus medicine balls. They feel like moving dead bodies. 

There are three primary ways to work the grip in my book: isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic. One of the most dynamic ways is to use Sledgehammers and swing them using different grips and motions. This develops the finger grip, wrist and forearm strength, elbow and shoulder strength, and whole body balance and power. I teach all theses in my new Sledgehammer Workout digital video series… plus a whole lot more! 

Sledgehammer Workout 1 contains 5 unique exercises: 1) Swing Squat, 2) Iron-T with Lunge, 3) Push-ups with Hammer Raises, 4) Head Circles with Stepping, and 5) Cut-up Cut-downs!

Sledgehammer Workout 2 contains 6 awesome exercises: 1) One-legged Hammer Squat, 2) One-legged Resistance Row, 3) Hammer Walkout, 4) Slide and Swing, 5) One-legged Hammer Rainbow, and 6) Horse Stance with Grip Drops!

Sledgehammer Workout 3 contains 4 dynamic exercises: 1) Jackknife Hammer Circles, 2) Iron-T Cross Body, 3) Hammer and the Nail, and 4) Jackknife Hammer Halo! 

Use this series to develop your personal best or to incorporate these unique strength and power exercises into your classes!

You can learn more about using Sledgehammers for grip and power training in my blog article here.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Sledgehammer Workout

(3 Digital Videos)

Fitness training and exercise in general can sometimes get boring. It's the same old, same old jogging, push-ups and weight training — again and again. But not this time. Forget dumbbells. Forget kettlebells. 

This is something different, dynamic, and just what you need to kick up your dynamic strength and power training. In this digital video series Coach Kevin Kearns will teach you the most amazing workout with Sledgehammers

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