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Comment by malkia | Hacker News Reader

I have a dynanometer, and I get it to show Error with my right hand. Left hand is about 85kg. I can squeeze (on good day) #3 Iron Mind (right hand), and #2.5 (left hand). Been gripping (but mostly that) for the last 3-4 years, though lots lots of muscle while diagnosed with diabetes II, almost year+half ago, and started low-carbo/keto diet (now I'm from 11 -> 5.6 without medication).

Don't feel super-strong, can do few pull ups, few dips, dozen of push ups and I'm more than 40. Also hate running, hate it since the army...

Point is, I'm skeptical of grip training ~ health. Or maybe if you've over-trained for that aspect, it may be lying...

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Grip strength is an indicator for overall fitness since it will improve from a range of activities, weightlifting being an obvious one but even something like cycling will have an improved grip compared to someone who doesn’t do anything. Improving your grip strength specifically won’t really improve your performance or overall fitness though (unless you are into rock climbing!)

I'm seriously thinking of starting with deadlifting, but need to find someone to do it, show me proper. Right next to a 24th fitness, where I work, just need to set my mind for it.

Most gyms have certified personal trainers available to hire. Pay an expert to give you a few lessons on proper form. That will help you avoid injury.

Deadlifts are great, but mix in some other types of resistance training to maintain balance.

The article itself stated that specifically training your grip strength won't magically give you better health outcomes - like you surmised, over-training that aspect breaks this metric. I think the causality runs the other way - untrained grip strength is a great indicator of a lot of useful things.

Probably a good mix of neural and tendon and muscular stuff, not just a "let's go test a bunch of random people's flat bench press score and find out who's been hanging out in the gym a lot".

Never tried the Iron Mind numbered grippers, but I have an Ivanko Super Gripper. I use it cautiously as years of Judo and BJJ have given me "high mileage hands".

lol, my wife found my "Ivanko Super Gripper" the other day, and she was like - 'wtf is this thing'? lol, another one of your toys! I find the grippers easiest to use while driving, taking my dog out, and during long computer sessions, I call it "lazy-gym".

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