My new obsession with grip training has led me to the video I am about to review.  Many of you are familiar with the Ironmind Captains of Crush grippers.  If you aren't, man up and get some.  If you know anything about the world of grip training then you know about Joe Kinney.  He is one of an elite few (and the first) who have ever closed the #4 gripper, a gripper that no one was ever supposed to close.  This video explains exactly how he went about doing this. 

If you watch the entire video you will understand exactly what it takes to get this degree of hand strength.  Joe lets you in on all the secrets.  The secrets are good but the essential ingredient is the willingness to put in the hard work.  It is clear that this guy is intense.  The amount of work he put into this goal will blow your mind.  Think Captain Ahab.  On top of that Joe was clearly strong from the start.  Before he ever started intentionally training his grip he was very close to closing the Ironmind #3. Spend a minute with the #3 and you will understand how strong this guy was.  I am not sure what he did for a living but it is true that in some lines of work a few folks get stronger by accident than most people can when deliberately training.  And then of course some are just born freaky strong.  I'm not sure which category Joe Kinney falls into.  It doesn't matter.  There are three different videos on this DVD.  The first is a low quality video that Kinney made in 1998.  It is a great video as far as content and very informative.  It is shot in some sort of toolshed where he would train.  All of his equipment (except for the CoC grippers) is homemade so you know that got me excited.  Then there is the same video except with audio commentary from Kinney and John Wood.  Kinney has a dry sense of humor which I like.   The last video was shot last year with Wood interviewing Kinney.  Here Joe elaborates on his training and shows some additional equipment as well.  Overall this interview is very well done.  In my opinion this is a must have for any grip training enthusiast.  The footage of Joe bursting 6 beers in a row to the tune of Amazing Grace played on bagpipes is by itself worth the price of the DVD.  My wife walked in while I was watching this and her exact words were "what the f%^k are you watching now?  Ten minutes later she couldn't believe I was watching it again.  She is scared because she knows I'll be fabricating grip training tools for the next while.  Its always something.  Adult ADD can be difficult to live with. 

Bottom line: Just get the video.  Check out the trailer at the bottom of this entry.  You can order it from these guys.  Note also that functionalhandstrength.com also sells CoC grippers and they are quick to get them out.  I have been very pleased with this outfit.


  Another item you may want to check out is the Ironmind book called "Captains of Crush Grippers:  What they are and how to close them".  You can order it here.  There is a chapter by Joe Kinney which outlines his training philosophy.  Get ready to hear about making testosterone at home before breakfast and hard work.  The advice in this chapter is pure training gold.