It is a sizzling take, however Rose from “Titanic” might have saved Jack if she had a stronger grip. For these trying to take their grip power and general higher physique coaching to new heights, Fats Gripz offers a easy but efficient resolution. Fats Gripz — among the best grip strengtheners we’ve discovered — are thick rubber grips that may be hooked up to barbells, dumbbells, pull-up bars, and extra, rising the width of the grip which creates extra of a problem on your palms, wrists, and forearms. For this Fats Gripz assessment, we get enter from Ben Emminger, BarBend editorial crew member and “former athlete” (he’s modest, he’s nonetheless on like six journey softball groups) to see how these grip coaching instruments can improve your exercise.
We’ve examined 10 grip strengtheners from prime manufacturers, and to offer you the clearest understanding of our expertise with Fats Gripz, we’ve utilized the BarBend equipment testing methodology. These low-priced grips can slip into your gymnasium bag with ease and can assist you enhance muscle activation, grip power, and even general higher physique energy — which is why we suggest these for nearly anybody who likes to maneuver round some weight.
Fats Gripz
Fats Gripz are doubtless probably the most well-known model particularly relating to barbell grips. They’re blue and black finest promoting barbell grips have a 2 and a ¼ inch diameter however have smaller and bigger choices of 1 and ¾ inch and a pair of and ¾ respectively as properly. Made with a navy grade rubber compound to keep up form underneath intense strain, the outer texture is solely the emblem.
Most important Takeaways
- Our tester appreciates how straightforward these are to connect to the best kettlebells, barbells, and dumbbells.
- These are perfect for people trying to enhance lifts like their deadlift (hi there, it’s me), the place grip power is usually the limiting issue.
- One other tester, who has used these grips on and off for about two years, has seen a rise of their forearm measurement and grip power from utilizing these with dumbbells.
Fats Gripz Professional Specs
| Value | $29.95 |
| Weight | 2lbs |
| Dimensions | 4.75” L x 2.25” W |
| Grip Dimension | Medium |
| Outdoors Diameter | 2.25” |
| Appropriate With | Dumbbells, barbells (1.1”, Olympic, E-Z), cable attachments, resistance bands |
| Colours | Blue and black |
Fats Gripz are a sport changer for these wanting so as to add selection and depth to their lifting routine, and once I began mountain climbing they had been one of many first instruments I used to be guided to make use of to assist enhance my grip power. Comprised of a high-density rubber, these grips are extremely sturdy — so sturdy, in reality, that our tester says, “I don’t fear about throwing them in my bag or tossing them on the ground once I’m exhausted as a result of they’re tremendous sturdy.” This inflexible construct means they will deal with repeated, heavy use and the damage and tear of being added to the best dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, cable machine equipment, and even resistance bands.
Designed to be versatile (as famous within the beforehand talked about laundry checklist of apparatus they will snap onto), they’re ideally suited for anybody who desires to make grip power a much bigger focus with out having to purchase enormous, devoted gear. All you do is slide the deal with of your gear via the slit on the Fats Gripz, and also you’re able to go. “The primary couple of makes use of is usually a little bit of a problem sliding these grips onto your barbell or dumbbell, however as soon as the rubber loosens up a bit it turns into a lot simpler,” says BarBend editorial crew member Ben Emminger.
Coaching with Fats Gripz feels completely different proper from the beginning. The thicker diameter they add when used with bars, dumbbells, and even throughout your kettlebell training program, instantly shifts a lot of the work to my palms, wrists, and forearms. Even with weights I used to be used to lifting, Fats Gripz makes me work tougher to manage and stabilize every rep. One other tester seen adjustments after including these Gripz to his routine. “My grip’s gotten higher, and the dimensions of my forearms has elevated,” they are saying. Equally, once I’ve used these grips within the gymnasium whereas doing deadlifts, I’ve seen my grip fatiguing and my forearms getting pumped a lot faster than typical.
Throughout higher-rep units, it turns into clear that you just’re engaged on extra than simply the goal muscle — your forearms and grip endurance are challenged, too. Over time, this will translate to improved stamina for each lifting and on a regular basis grip-related duties. Whether or not you need to really feel extra comfy gripping the barbell throughout your deadlifts, are plotting your subsequent out of doors mountain climbing expedition, or simply want a bit of assist with that silly jar of jam that basically received’t budge, Fats Gripz can assist you construct power to assist your health routine and your life outdoors of the gymnasium.
Professionals
Small measurement is well carried in gymnasium luggage
Rising the diameter of weights can strengthen forearms, palms, and wrist muscle tissue
Straightforward to make use of and might connect to quite a lot of gear, like barbells, pull-up bars, and even the most effective resistance bands
Cons
Added grip width can really feel awkward and scale back the quantity of weight you possibly can transfer
The elevated give attention to grip power can pressure palms and wrists, one thing to watch out of for freshmen and people with carpal tunnel syndrome
Not ideally suited for lifts that require stability, pace, or precision
Who Ought to Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Fats Gripz
Whereas Fats Gripz are beloved by broad droves of power athletes, they will not be ideally suited for all customers. The next are who we predict would and wouldn’t profit from together with these of their thick bar coaching.
Advisable for:
- Power athletes, bodybuilders, and powerlifters trying to enhance their heavy lifts by rising grip power
- Martial artists and fight sports activities athletes who depend on grip power of their sport
- Rock climbers inquisitive about enhancing endurance on the wall via weight coaching
Not Advisable for:
- Athletes finishing Olympic lifts like clear and jerks or snatches
- People who prioritize heavier lifts over enhancing grip
- Anybody who struggles with carpal tunnel syndrome or depends on the best wrist straps resulting from golfer/climber’s elbow ache (1)
Our Expertise Coaching With the Fats Gripz
Coaching with the Fats Gripz provides a singular stage of depth to typical lifting workouts by rising the bar diameter, which makes every motion more difficult. While you connect these grips to your gear, the broader grip forces your palms, wrists, and forearms to have interaction extra totally, shifting among the work away from bigger muscle tissue and to those stabilizers. After I use these throughout deadlifts, I've to drop my weight considerably as a result of whereas my grip is nice from climbing, there’s apparently room for enchancment.
This further demand could make workouts like deadlifts, bicep curls, and rows really feel extra intense, even at your typical weight. The very first thing I’ve seen is my forearms fatigue extra shortly than regular — I get the pump — than once I’m lifting with a regular grip. To offer you a good deeper look into what it’s like coaching with Fats Gripz, we’ve supplied scores from 1 (not good) to five (superb) in areas like sturdiness, exercise expertise, worth, and extra. The next are a few of our key takeaways from our testing.
Thick, Sturdy Design
After I was first determining how to build muscle, I picked up a pair of Fats Gripz and was blown away at how heavy-duty they had been in comparison with what I used to be anticipating. (I assumed they’d be just like the flimsy bike deal with coverings you slide onto your handlebars). I’m not saying they’re heavy heavy — simply heavy sufficient to make you go, “OK, this feels substantial.” I’m not alone right here. Certainly one of our testers has additionally been shocked with the texture of those grips. “I anticipated it to be a bit of tender and versatile, however I used to be relieved at how sturdy these thick grips are.”
Every grip weighs a pound and is constructed from a high-density rubber that’s designed to be sturdy and long-lasting. This sturdy design permits them to deal with heavy weights and face up to intense coaching, making them appropriate for normal use with out carrying down. “I’ve used these for about two years at this level and the laborious rubber hasn’t proven any indicators of chipping or harm,” says our tester, who provides sturdiness a 4.5 out of 5 rating.
These Fats Gripz additionally characteristic an up to date design from older fashions, with knurling for improved grip. This textured sample, which is usually discovered on barbells, enhances grip by creating itty bitty ridges and valleys that enhance friction between your palms and the floor. Whereas a few of us (sure, me, the sweaty hand queen) have damp palms, this can assist our pores and skin catch onto these grooves and preserve the grip inside our… grip. Knurling scores a 5 out of 5.
Common Match and Ease of Use
Fats Gripz are designed to suit onto all kinds of gymnasium gear, together with the best barbells, pull-up bars, cable machine attachments, resistance bands, and dumbbells. Whereas the surface diameter of Fats Gripz can differ— primarily based on whether or not you’ve bought Fats Gripz One (1.75-inch), Fats Gripz Professional (2.25-inch), or Fats Gripz Excessive (2.75-inch) — the within diameter stays the identical at 1.1-inch.
Weighing solely two kilos in whole, they’re simply carried in a gymnasium bag by our tester Ben Emminger. “The equipment are a fast add-on to my regular barbell routine,” says Emminger, “and I can simply work in Fats Gripz units with out programming in particular workouts or swapping out total gear setups.” Portability scores a 5 out of 5.
To connect them to a barbell, dumbbell, pull-up bar, cable machine attachment, or resistance band, simply pull the Fats Gripz open and slip it onto the deal with of your gear. It’s additionally suggested that you just preserve the slit going through your palm all through your reps to verify there aren’t any accidents the place the load slips out of the grips (and onto your toes).
“Somebody who has, say, lengthy nails, and even shaky palms could wrestle with getting Fats Gripz open and onto a dumbbell or barbell,” says Alex Polish, BarBend editorial member and licensed private coach. “It’s value noting that typically these instruments can take a little bit of wrangling, which can be more durable for some customers.” Since ease of use relies readily available dexterity, we give this space a 4 out of 5 rating.
Grip Power Enhancements
In case you’ve bought a hankering to extend your grip power, the Fats Gripz had been constructed to offer. These are a gem whether or not you’re discovering your self failing in your heavy lifts due to your palms, need to have the ability to open that jar of pasta sauce that’s been proving to be fairly the worthy adversary, otherwise you want robust palms on your sport — mountain climbing, MMA, soccer, and extra. Much like an axel deadlift which makes use of an axel bar, you’ll be constructing a vice grip due to the broader circumference that your hand will now need to combat to manage.
“I didn’t begin utilizing Fats Gripz as a sport-specific coaching software,” says Emminger who, at sure instances through the 12 months, performs on a number of touring softball groups, “however it improved my grip, which may be useful in power sports activities and normal health.” I’ve by no means seen Ben play softball, however from the beard alone, I do know he can hit a ball. Is that this due to Fats Gripz? Most likely not. However it isn’t hurting his sport.
“They’re tremendous easy, however they make gripping onto a barbell or dumbbells — no matter you need to connect it to — tougher, thus enhancing your grip power as you combat to maintain the load inside your palms,” says one other one among our testers. Exercise expertise scores a 4.5 out of 5.
What to Think about Earlier than Shopping for Fats Gripz
Whereas our testers give excessive scores for this coaching software, and hundreds of opinions on Amazon scream this product’s reward, it will not be the most effective software for you and your targets. That can assist you navigate whether or not or to not spend money on a pair of Fats Gripz, we’ve highlighted some key issues under.
- No Ego Amigo: Are you keen to, maybe, decrease the full weight you’re lifting as a way to enhance your grip power with these Fats Gripz? If not, you would possibly need to skip these.
- Tools Compatibility: Think about if you happen to’re utilizing gear that’ll work with Fats Gripz. “Fats Gripz are likely to work higher over straight bars, so I’d suggest utilizing them with Olympic barbells, kettlebells, or straight-bar dumbbells,” says BarBend editorial member Ben Emminger.
- Adjustment Interval: The elevated diameter could make workouts really feel more difficult, so contemplate if you happen to’re keen to undergo an adjustment interval the place you might have to decrease the load of your lifts.
- Consolation: In case you wrestle with ache in your palms or arms when carrying weight, contemplate if reducing the consolation of your grip with Fats Gripz will assist your coaching — or possibly contemplate investing in one of many best lifting straps as an alternative.
Fats Gripz Vs. Rivals
On this world of knowledge, we’re all the time cross-checking, ensuring the merchandise we’re about to buy for our dwelling gymnasium is the proper merchandise for us. That can assist you together with your analysis, we’ve put collectively a graph under evaluating specs from some standard choices. Fats Gripz, Iron Bull Power Alpha Grips 2.0, and Yes4All Thick Dumbbell Deal with Grip every provide a solution to enhance the thickness of your grip on customary bars, however they differ barely in value, design, and guarantee.
| Fats Gripz | Iron Bull Power Alpha Grips 2.0 | Yes4All Thick Dumbbell Handles Grips | |
| Value | $29.95 | $24.95 | $10.99 |
| Dimension | 2.25” W x 4.75” L | 2” W x 4.75” L | 2.2” W x 4.75” L |
| Outdoors diameter | 2.25” | 2” | 2.2” |
| Guarantee | 10 years | Lifetime | 1-year |
| Knurling | Sure | Restricted | None |
| Amazon Stars | 4.8 out of 5 stars, 19,332 product opinions | 4.6 out of 5 stars, 727 product opinions | 4.5 out of 5 stars, 2,499 product opinions |
Ordering and Assembling Fats Gripz
Fats Gripz ships from Amazon and is Prime-eligible, so if you happen to’re an Amazon Prime member, you will get quick and free transport. They’ll arrive able to go, and there isn’t any setup wanted. The one factor to notice is that the rubber can take a while to interrupt in, so the primary couple of makes use of could also be a bit tough to get the Fats Gripz onto your dumbbell or barbell.
Locations to Purchase Fats Gripz
You may order a pair of Fats Gripz straight from fatgripz.com, Rogue Health, Walmart, and Amazon.
Model Status and Buyer Critiques
The folks have spoken and the folks love Fats Gripz. There are practically 20,000 buyer opinions on Amazon, with an eye-popping 4.8 out of 5 stars general. This merchandise is beloved!
When bought from the model’s web site, you’ll get a 60-day money-back assure so if you happen to’re not pleased with these grippers, you received’t be left excessive and dry. To succeed in customer support you possibly can name Fats Gripz at 877-974-7479.
Warranties
Fats Gripz backs its product with a 10-year guarantee, so you realize your funding shall be coated for years to return.
Closing Ideas on Fats Gripz
Fat grip training can assist take your power to new ranges, offering extra of a spotlight in your grip, wrists, and forearms via your lifts. Fats Gripz are like pickles on a burger — certain, the burger is ok, possibly even nice, with out them. However when added on, it simply makes every thing higher. (Sorry, pickle haters. Don’t take the metaphor out on Fats Gripz, although.) They rework strange lifts into forearm scorchers, guaranteeing your grip power will get the eye it deserves.
Fats Gripz are sturdy, sturdy, straightforward to make use of, and comparatively cheap, so for many customers, it’s a worthwhile funding. Grip power is paramount to your capacity to finish heavier lifts — plus, what occurs if you happen to’re dwelling alone and incapable of opening a jar of pickles (I’m going actually heavy on the pickles, aren’t I)? Purchase a pair, work in your grip, and thank us later.
Fats Gripz FAQs
How a lot do Fats Gripz value?
You may get a pair of Fats Gripz for $29.95.
Do Fats Gripz actually work?
Your outcomes are dictated by your efforts, however including Fats Gripz into your power coaching routine can assist goal your palms, wrists, and forearms whereas additionally rising time underneath pressure.
Can I add Fats Gripz onto a cable machine rope attachment?
Sure. The inside opening diameter is 1.1 inches, which is appropriate for a variety of ropes, dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, and extra.
References
- Web page, M. J., O’Connor, D., Pitt, V., & Massy-Westropp, N. (2012). Train and mobilisation interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Cochrane database of systematic opinions, (6), CD009899. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009899