How to Strengthen Your Grip to Prevent Elbow Pain

What about plate pinches? I started doing those for my pinch grip. Just holding two 5lb (or 2.5kg) plates together with one hand. Tougher than it looks!

Plate pinches are brilliant for finger strength. It’s a different kind of grip than the 'crushing' grip you use on a barbell.

Does anyone use those 'wrist rollers'? You know, the stick with the string and a weight attached? My gym has one but it always looks like a torture device.

Torture device is accurate! But the pump you get is insane. It's fantastic for building thickness in the forearms which generally supports the elbow.

I prefer to just use a heavy dumbbell and do seated wrist curls. Old school but effective.

Seated curls are fine, but make sure you do the reverse curls too! Remember the extensor balance TXguy mentioned at the start.

I tried the dead hangs this morning. My grip gave out way before I felt any stretch in my back. I guess that confirms my grip is definitely the weak link!

Stick with it, GripGuy! You'll be amazed how fast it improves if you do it every session.

Also, don't use straps for your warm-up sets. Only use them when you absolutely have to for your top sets. Let your hands do the work as much as possible.

I actually stopped using straps altogether for a month. My weights went down initially, but my grip caught up and my elbow pain disappeared completely.

That’s brave. I don't think I could deadlift without straps. But maybe I'll try it for my rows.

Great thread. I’ve got a plan now: Rice bucket, Lacrosse ball, and Dead hangs. Cheers everyone!