0 comments / Posted on by Pedro Barcellos

Improving your grip strength is super important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), as it can significantly increase your ability to control an opponent's gi, hold submissions, and defend against attacks. Here are ten practical tips to improve your grip strength for BJJ, designed to help BJJ fighters at any level develop a killer grip.

1. Train with Gi Grips

Incorporate  gi exercises into your training program. Use the lapel, sleeve, and pant grips in your drills to simulate the grips you use in BJJ. Exercises like gi pull-ups or rows where you grip the gi instead of a bar can increase your grip strength in a very specific manner.

2. Grip Strengthening Tools

Utilize grip strengtheners, such as hand grippers or grip rings, throughout the day. These tools are portable and can be used anywhere, allowing you to work on your grip strength outside the gym. Aim for high repetitions to build endurance in your grip.

3. Climbing and Bouldering

Rock climbing and bouldering are excellent ways to improve grip strength and endurance. Climbing requires you to support your body weight with your fingers and hands, which translates very well into stronger grips in BJJ.

4. Farmer’s Walks

This exercise is simple yet effective. Hold a heavy weight in each hand, such as kettlebells or dumbbells, and walk a specified distance. This challenges your grip and improves your overall strength and stability.

5. Rope Climbing

Climbing a rope not only enhances your grip strength but also builds arm and shoulder power. It's a functional exercise that mimics pulling motions similar to those used in BJJ, arm-drag for example.

6. Dead Hangs

Dead hangs from a pull-up bar can significantly improve your grip endurance. Try to hang for as long as possible and gradually increase the time. For an added challenge, perform dead hangs from a gi draped over the bar.

7. Towel Wraps

Wrap a towel around the bar when doing pull-ups, rows, or deadlifts. The increased diameter forces your hands to work harder to maintain the grip, strengthening the fingers, hands, and forearms.

8. Judo Rope Pulls

Use a thick rope to simulate judo gi sleeves. Perform pulling exercises by wrapping the rope around a solid object and pulling towards you, mimicking the motion of pulling an opponent in BJJ.

9. Sandbag Training

Training with sandbags can improve your grip because the shifting weight requires constant adjustment of your grip. Exercises like sandbag carries, cleans, or throws are beneficial.

10. Consistent Practice and Patience

Finally, the key to developing a strong grip for BJJ is consistent practice and patience. Your grip strength will improve over time with regular training, so stay dedicated and incorporate grip exercises into your weekly routine.

By integrating these tips into your training, you can develop a stronger grip, giving you an edge in your BJJ practice. Remember, grip strength is not just about raw power; it's also about endurance and technique. So, focus on both strength and skill to maximize your performance on the mats.

Improving your grip strength is super important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), as it can significantly increase your ability to control an opponent's gi, hold submissions, and defend against attacks. Here are ten practical tips to improve your grip strength for BJJ, designed to help BJJ fighters at any level develop a killer grip.

1. Train with Gi Grips

Incorporate  gi exercises into your training program. Use the lapel, sleeve, and pant grips in your drills to simulate the grips you use in BJJ. Exercises like gi pull-ups or rows where you grip the gi instead of a bar can increase your grip strength in a very specific manner.

2. Grip Strengthening Tools

Utilize grip strengtheners, such as hand grippers or grip rings, throughout the day. These tools are portable and can be used anywhere, allowing you to work on your grip strength outside the gym. Aim for high repetitions to build endurance in your grip.

3. Climbing and Bouldering

Rock climbing and bouldering are excellent ways to improve grip strength and endurance. Climbing requires you to support your body weight with your fingers and hands, which translates very well into stronger grips in BJJ.

4. Farmer’s Walks

This exercise is simple yet effective. Hold a heavy weight in each hand, such as kettlebells or dumbbells, and walk a specified distance. This challenges your grip and improves your overall strength and stability.

5. Rope Climbing

Climbing a rope not only enhances your grip strength but also builds arm and shoulder power. It's a functional exercise that mimics pulling motions similar to those used in BJJ, arm-drag for example.

6. Dead Hangs

Dead hangs from a pull-up bar can significantly improve your grip endurance. Try to hang for as long as possible and gradually increase the time. For an added challenge, perform dead hangs from a gi draped over the bar.

7. Towel Wraps

Wrap a towel around the bar when doing pull-ups, rows, or deadlifts. The increased diameter forces your hands to work harder to maintain the grip, strengthening the fingers, hands, and forearms.

8. Judo Rope Pulls

Use a thick rope to simulate judo gi sleeves. Perform pulling exercises by wrapping the rope around a solid object and pulling towards you, mimicking the motion of pulling an opponent in BJJ.

9. Sandbag Training

Training with sandbags can improve your grip because the shifting weight requires constant adjustment of your grip. Exercises like sandbag carries, cleans, or throws are beneficial.

10. Consistent Practice and Patience

Finally, the key to developing a strong grip for BJJ is consistent practice and patience. Your grip strength will improve over time with regular training, so stay dedicated and incorporate grip exercises into your weekly routine.

By integrating these tips into your training, you can develop a stronger grip, giving you an edge in your BJJ practice. Remember, grip strength is not just about raw power; it's also about endurance and technique. So, focus on both strength and skill to maximize your performance on the mats.

0 comments

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing