Secrets of Limitless Hand Power!

The potential for strength in the human hand is far beyond the comprehension of most people.

Is Hand Strength Really Limitless?

Everything has its limits, hurricanes can move houses but not mountains, over time the tiny brook can erode the mountains to the sea. Nevertheless, the potential for near limitless strength in nature is present in all things.

The average person has far less strength than an elite weightlifter. Compared to an elite grip master the average person is probably farther behind. The point of this is not to mock the average person but to instill upon people the potential for tremendous growth in strength, in particular hand strength. The hands are the main sensory input center for the sense of touch. They are how you connect to the world. Having strong hands translates to better all around lifting of barbells and dumbbells. Having strong hands will give you better confidence as you interact with objects and people around you.

What is the secret of limitless hand strength? Set your mind free of self imposed limits. John Brookfield, author of "Mastery of Hand Strength" can bend a 5/16 x 6 inch cold rolled steel bar bare handed. The average person probably couldn't even bend a 1/8 inch bar in this manner. Without strong hands even a skilled weight trainer cannot bend a common 60-penny nail. A powerlifter with a 550 pound bench who works out in my gym could not bend the easiest 60-penny nail I have encountered, he simply had no way of translating his obvious great strength to the nail. He tried extremely hard, getting red in the face and even cheating by placing the nail on a metal filing cabinet and pushing down. He accomplished nothing, not even a kink in the nail.

Initial Nail bending Hand position

Here is my preferred position for the start of a nail bend.  Over time I have changed my wrist position subtly and now I would say to try to have the left wrist straighter than in this picture.  If you don't have the strength to bend a nail this little adjustment won't make a difference.  It seems to have more effect on the end of the bend wherein the hands can finish off the nail to a U-shape without re-gripping.  Warning, nail bending is an intense physical activity, please consult your physician before embarking on your nail bending or weightlifting journey (your physician, of course, may tell you not to embark).

Pictures of Bar Scroll work

Here is what can best be described as steel bar scrollwork. I like bolts better than nails for this because you can buy in various lengths but with basically the same thickness.  In order to do this type of bending I would estimate that a person would have to at least be able to bend a standard 60-penny nail fairly easy.   Even though the Ironmind white shown here is softer it is extremely difficult to bend the bar in multiple short sections.  I can usually get in 2 bends on an 8 inch bolt and 3 on a 10 inch bolt.  From left to right:  Ironmind #1 bar (appeared in Milo).  Ironmind #1 bent to a very tight radius, 8 inch bolt with 2 bends, 10 inch bolt with 3 bends, 10 inch bolt that I accidentally broke while bending.  On the broken bolt I wedged the end into the loop so it could not be taken out easily.

Really Big Steel

I entitled this page secrets of limitless hand power because I want everyone in their mind to believe they can do anything with their hands (or anything else for that matter).  When I bent the big nail above I decided nothing was going to stop me, I was willing to push all the way to the point of injury, but I trusted my foundation of strength that I have developed over time and other forces to protect me.

Sledge Hammers

  I've been asked to post some of my Nail bending scrollwork (seen above) and sledge hammer levering.  I didn't post the hammers earlier because the pictures were old and I've been doing more weight lately.  I still haven't updated the pictures, but here a sample for now (See Hammer Man article for updates).  One thing that is critical in determining the difficulty of a hammer lever performance is the angle between the hammer handle and the vertical axis.  In this picture the hammer is about 60 degrees from vertical.  If my hand was up higher it would even be more difficult.
      The torque with the handle perpendicular to vertical would be:
          36"x 10 pounds x sin 90 (which is 1) or 360 inch-pounds. 
     The torque here is probably:
          36" x 10 pounds x sin 60= 360x.87= 313 inch-pounds. 
   I really recommend doing this lift both with and without the wrist wrap.  You can do more weight with the wrap, thus making the shoulder and arm muscles stronger in this particular movement.  When you then go back to no wraps, weakness in these muscles will not be a factor.

Leonardo the Grip Master!

It is not widely known that Leonardo Da Vinci was a Grip Master. I am strongly convinced that his drawings of hands were due to his fascination with their strength. Leonardo was widely known for his ability to bend horseshoes. 

More Gripping Tales

     The saga continues with articles I have written related to grip strength.  The thick handled craze continues, but where did it start?  Whose hands shall it continue with?

Building a Thick Dumbbell Handle

Challenging the Immortals- Lifting Goals for Thick Handled Dumbbells.  

Meeting the Hammer Man- More on Sledgehammer lifting.   

Grip Strength Testing- Using a Dynamometer to Test Hand Strength.

See Developing Grip Strength by David Webster and David Gentle at Abebooks.

Another great hand strength option is the Clubbell, the modern improved Indian club. Click here for details.

Copyright August 2000, Tom Black

    To learn training techniques with heavy grippers, check out Steve Gardener's Gripper Book!  If you serious about building grip strength this book will take you to the next level.

 

 

 

Grip Strength Testing- Using a Dynamometer to Test Hand Strength.

 

See Developing Grip Strength by David Webster and David Gentle at Abebooks.