3 Killer Grip Strength Exercises to Develop Man Strength for MMA, BJJ, Wrestling and Other Combat Sports
by Taylor Ramsdell
"You’ve grabbed them. Now you need to keep them there. This drill will help."
I remember when I was a kid my dad was always so damn strong. It wasn’t from going to the gym because he didn’t. It just was! Even as I got older, if that man grabbed a hold of me, I wasn’t going anywhere. SO… In honor of Dan Ramsdell aka Dad aka Pops, I like to refer to that type of strength as “Dad Strength” or "Man Strength"… And since not everyone can just be naturally strong as hell like my Pops, the following drill is one way to gain some of that strength. Great for dads with sons who are troublemakers, and great for fighters who want to be able to grab their opponent and hold onto them for however long they want.
Do the following three exercises back-to-back: (Number of sets depends on your level and/or depends on how hard you push each exercise.)
1. Kettlebell Hammer Curl and Reach
The first exercise is one that will really help develop the brachioradialis muscle in the forearm. For the fighter’s purposes, this muscle serves primarily as an elbow stabilizer anytime the arm is in flexion. It also contributes to overall grip strength and helps to generate more solid striking power.
Before going into the details of this exercise, simply picture a hammer curl. That is really all this is... A hammer curl variation that places the center of gravity further from your hand increasing the challenge (and with one extra movement)…
Hold a kettlebell with a firm grip. Perform a hammer curl with the kettlebell and do not let the wrist bend. When your arm reaches approx 90 degrees, press the kettlebell forward (this forward press is the extra movement mentioned before. It adds to the challenge of controlling the kettlebell without bending the wrist, and also recruits more muscles making this exercise more complex). You want to move the kettlebell forward in an arc with it ending up straight in front of you at shoulder level. Slowly return the kettlebell to the 90 degree position and then slowly return it down to your side. Repeat with your other arm.
Reps? Do enough of them.
VARIATIONS: Another option for this exercise would be never returning the arm to your side. Keep the hold at approx 90 degrees. This is more difficult to perform and is what the photos show below.
You can also hold a weight plate as it is more difficult to grip and it places the center of gravity further from your hand similar to the action of the kettlebell. Don’t hold the plate in the middle. Pinch it on one side, otherwise you won’t reap the benefit of manipulating the center of gravity. Just make sure you keep your wrist straight. With weight plates, you can also pinch two of them together to add another dimension to the exercise.
NOTE: A good way to progress to heavier weight is to only do the first half of the movement with heavier weights. Once you build more strength in maintaining the kettlebell’s position, start trying to press it forward.
Another great way to progress on this is to perform a “hammering” movement with a sledge hammer using only your wrist. Perform the movement from either the approx 90 degree elbow position or with your arm straight out. Maintain control the entire time. Adjust the difficulty by moving your hand up or down on the hammer’s handle.
2. Farmer’s walk/suitcase carry/pick up heavy weights and walk around with them.
When you pick up the weight, do so with control and good form. Keep your body solid the entire duration of the carry. Don’t let anything go sloppy. Maintain control. Hold the weight tight in your hands. Do as much as you can to not let your hands open. SQUEEZE the weight.
VARIATIONS: You can hold weights (any type of weight you can think of) in each hand, or perform it on one side at a time.
3. Hang
Grab a bar and hang. Hang until you can’t hang anymore. Then hang some more. As far as whether you “pack your shoulders” or “relax your shoulders” etc., you pick. Do 
what is right for you. I like to do many positions during a long hang. Get a good stretch, then also lower your shoulders and engage your lats, etc. You can also switch between straight arms and slightly bent. Straighten your body, bend your body, etc. Just hang. You’ll benefit from all of it.
VARIATIONS: Throw a towel (or your gi) over the bar and use it to hang from. Thicker the grip, the harder it becomes. Also, vary your hand positioning. Try with one hand higher than the other, or with the towel coming out of the back of the hand instead of the front, or with just one hand, ... etc. Switch it up.
When you drop from the bar in the third exercise, you should feel like your hands have nothing left. NOTHING. At that moment in time, you should smile and ask for more.
Taylor Ramsdell, founder of Chain Fitness in Los Angeles, is the strength and conditioning coach for multiple professional athletes. His methods have attracted fighters from all over the globe. He believes in training hard while also training smart. The LA Times featured Ramsdell and quoted him saying “Getting real will get results.” It is that philosophy that continues to yield success for his athletes.
Want more Grip Tips?
Weekly Tips for Physical Dominance!
Blog Categories
All Categories #athleticism #athleticmastery #athleticperformance #athletictraining #boxingtraining #dancebenefits #danceinsports #fighterconditioning #gymnasticsdrills #mma #sportstraining #tailoredtraining #warmup 4th of july absolute strength accommodating resistance aches and pains action action over words active kids active lifestyle active recovery active recovery techniques adaptability adapting techniques adapting to competition adaptive fitness adult development advanced recovery techniques aerobic base aerobic capacity aerobic exercise aerobic exercise benefits aesthetics affordable eating for athletes affordable gym essentials age and bjj age-defying workouts ageless fitness aggressive athletes agility agility drills agility training agility workouts aging athletes aging athletes workout aging combat athletes aging gracefully aging grapplers aging in martial arts aging martial artist alactic conditioning alactic power alcohol alcohol and sports alcohol reduction alcohol's impact on fitness alternative cardio altitude chamber anaerobic swimming anaerobic training ancient warriors andrew bustamante animal movements anti-aging fitness anti-inflammatory diet anxiety anxiety management apple watch apple watch sleep tracking aspiring boxers assessment athlete athlete brain health athlete conditioning athlete development athlete diet athlete growth athlete guidance athlete health athlete lifestyle athlete lifestyle habits athlete mental health athlete mental training athlete mindset athlete nutrition athlete pain relief athlete performance athlete productivity athlete readiness athlete recovery athlete recovery methods athlete rest athlete resting heart rate guide athlete support athlete time management athlete training athlete training tips athlete well-being athlete wellness athlete's guide athlete's health athlete's journey athlete's shoulder athlete's well-being athletes athletic coach athletic coaching athletic conditioning athletic development athletic genetics athletic greatness athletic health athletic improvement athletic meal planning athletic mindset athletic performance athletic performance science athletic performance supplements athletic potential athletic power athletic preparedness athletic progress athletic prowess athletic recovery athletic recovery techniques athletic results athletic rotation athletic siblings athletic skill athletic success athletic supplements athletic testing athletic training athletic training myths athletic upbringing athleticism athletics athltic performance autonomic balance avoid comfort avoid surgery avoiding fighter fatigue avoiding injuries back pain back pain relief balance balance and stability balanced diet balanced training balancing act balancing health and family bar speed technology barefoot barefoot training battling ropes beginner guide behavioral change benefits of sauna after exercise benefits of supplements best boxing movies best diet for fighters best fitness presents best fitness trackers for mma best supplements for mma beta-alanine better training outcomes bfr big fight big toe bilateral exercises bilateral strength biological necessity biomechanics biomechanics of punching bjj bjj cardio bjj competition tips bjj conditioning bjj grip training bjj kettlebell bjj strength and conditioning bjj strength exercises bjj strength training bjj strength training workout bjj training bjj training questions bjj training tips bjj workout bjj workouts blood flow restriction training blood work blue zone diets blue zones blue-collar strength body preparation bodybuilding bodybuilding for fighters bodybuilding for grapplers bodybuilding pros and cons bodybuilding supplements bodyweight bodyweight exercises bodyweight training bodyweight workouts bottled water bottom-up exercises boxers boxing boxing cardio boxing coaching boxing conditioning boxing conditioning workouts boxing diet boxing endurance boxing fitness boxing fitness wearables boxing footwork boxing for beginners boxing history boxing legends boxing lessons boxing mistakes boxing movies boxing myths boxing performance boxing power boxing recovery boxing rising stars boxing rules boxing science boxing skills boxing sparring boxing strategy boxing strength boxing strength training boxing styles boxing technique boxing techniques boxing tips boxing training boxing workout boxing workouts bracing techniques brain health brazilian jiu jitsu brazilian jiu-jitsu brazilian jiu-jitsu conditioning breath breath control breathing breathing for performance breathing techniques budget-friendly nutrition budget-friendly workout gear building momentum building muscle after 40 building resilience burnout prevention business ideas busy dad workout plan caffeine cage combat calisthenics calisthenics training camaraderie carbohydrate repletion carbohydrate restriction carbohydrates cardio cardio and conditioning cardio and muscle cardio assessment cardio for boxers cardio for combat athletes cardio myths cardio training cardio workouts cardiovascular endurance cardiovascular health cardiovascular training career transitions chain wrestling challenges challenges in jiu jitsu champion mindset champion's journey champion's mindset championship success charity child development child fitness christmas fitness gifts chronic inflammation chronic pain circuit training for mma clarity clean and jerk climbing rope climbing techniques coach coordination coach interviews coach recovery strategies coaching coaching techniques coaching tips coiling cold exposure cold plunge benefits cold prevention cold therapy cold therapy in sports college wrestling collegiate wrestling combat athlete conditioning combat athlete endurance combat athlete fitness combat athlete nutrition combat athlete tips combat athlete training combat athletes combat coaching combat gyms combat sports combat sports athletes combat sports conditioning combat sports evolution combat sports fitness combat sports mastery combat sports news combat sports nutrition combat sports performance combat sports prodigies combat sports psychology combat sports rules combat sports sleep tips combat sports supplements combat sports training combat sports wellness combat strategy combat training combined training strategies comebacks communication community comparison competition competition prep competition preparation competition readiness competitive advantage competitive boxing competitive edge competitive grappling competitive training for seniors complex training compression therapy concurrent training concurrent training for fighters concussion concussion protocols concussion recovery tips concussion side effects concussions conditioning conditioning for athletes conditioning for bjj conditioning for fighters conditioning for grapplers conditioning for mma conditioning guidelines conditioning workouts confidence building in children conjugate training consistency consistency for athletes consistency in sports consistent training continuous improvement contrast therapy in sports convenience drawbacks convenient healthy meals cool down exercises coordination coping mechanisms coping strategies coping with defeat core core exercises for boxers core stability core strength core training cortisol crawling crawling exercises crawling patterns creatine creatine cognitive benefits creatine for concussions creatine monohydrate cross-disciplinary combat sports cross-training cross-training for fighters cryotherapy and athletic performance cultural influence on sports culture curcumin cutting weight cutting weight for bjj cvac cvac machines dad workout tips daily fitness tips daily improvement daily routines dan gable dan koe dance and athleticism dance and coordination data-driven recovery dealing with distractions debunked myths dedication defensive athletes dehydration determination detrimental habits diet diet and fitness diet and testosterone diet for bjj dietary supplements digestion digital age digital detox digital distraction discipline discipline in fighting discipline in sports disease prevention distractions diverse play diy fitness tests documentaries dominance doping drawbacks of supplements drills durability dvrt dynamic stretches dynamic stretching dynamic work dynamic workouts eating habits eating well in a busy world eccentric training education effective communication in sports efficient recovery effort in training ego in gym electrolyte replenishment electrolytes elevate performance elite athlete habits elite performance elite wrestlers emotional balance emotional challenges emotional intelligence emotional resilience emotional stress emotional support endurance endurance activities endurance building endurance sports endurance training energy energy drinks energy improvement energy systems in sports enhancing athletic performance enhancing grappling performance equipment everyday life execution exercise exercise burnout exercise consistency exercise equipment exercise equipment under $500 exercise for aging athletes exercise for seniors exercise guide exercise integration exercise intensity exercise limitations exercise optimization exercise order exercise physiologist exercise physiology exercise programming exercise progressions exercise recovery exercise science exercise science for seniors exercise science in martial arts exercise science insights exercise variables exercises exercises for jiu jitsu explosive advantage explosive bursts explosive power explosive strength extraordinary strength eye training fall and winter health fame fame and media family fitness family influence on sports farm life fast healthy eating fast-twitch muscle fasting for athletes fatigue fatigue management feamle athletes feet female fighters training female martial artists fight fight analysis fight camp mistakes fight conditioning fight for america fight nights to remember fight nutrition fight performance fight preparation fight ready fight simulations fight speed fight styles fight training fight training evolution fight training workout fight week fight week nutrition fight weight fighter assessments fighter burnout fighter cardio fighter conditioning fighter development fighter diet fighter diet plan fighter discipline fighter endurance fighter mindset fighter nutrition fighter performance fighter preparation fighter recovery fighter safety fighter tips fighter training fighter workout plan fighter's fitness fighter's guide fighter's mind fighters fighting fighting finesse fighting performance fighting styles fighting technique fighting techniques fighting training finances fitness fitness adaptations fitness after break fitness benefits fitness buff fitness coach fitness comeback fitness community fitness diversity fitness enthusiast fitness enthusiasts fitness equipment for small spaces fitness for athletes fitness for busy dads fitness for combat sports fitness for dads fitness for fighters fitness for older adults fitness for older athletes fitness for wrestlers fitness goals fitness habits fitness history fitness improvement fitness influencers fitness journey fitness marketing fitness mindset fitness misconceptions fitness monitoring fitness motivation fitness myths fitness regimen fitness sabotage fitness strategies fitness technology fitness tips fitness tips for aging fitness tips for boxers fitness tracking fitness training fitness trends flexibility flexibility exercises flexibility in education flexibility training flow state flu prevention fluidity of motion flywheel resistance flywheel resistance training flywheel training foam rollers foam rolling myths focus focus in sports focus strategies focus techniques food and nutrition foot foot and ankles foot arches foot exercises foot function foot health foot strength footwear footwork footwork drills footwork training force-velocity curve foundational movement foundational movements foundationofstrength french contrast training fueling strategy full-body strength fun workout games functional fitness functional range conditioning functional strength functional training future champions gains garmin general physical preparedness genetic predisposition genetics genetics in sports georges st-pierre sprint training getting back in shape getting sick getting strong for bjj gift ideas for fitness enthusiasts giving back global dance impact global perspective global wrestling glute activation goal achievement goal setting goal-setting gpp gpp workouts grappler conditioning grappler endurance grappler flexibility grappler preparation grappler strength grappler training grapplers grappling grappling cardio grappling competition tips grappling endurance grappling fitness grappling for older athletes grappling legacy grappling myths grappling recovery grappling strength grappling strength training grappling techniques grappling training grappling workouts gratitude for athletes grip grip exercises grip improvement grip strength grip strength exercises grit group training benefits growth hormone growth mindset guard mobility gut health gym community gym culture gym diet gym discipline gym efficiency gym environment gym habits gym mistakes gym progress gym routine for regular guys gym training gym vs social media gym workouts gymnastic training tips gymnastics for children gymnastics progressions gymnastics strength habit formation habits hand exercises hand health hand protection hand strength hand strength assessment hand strength exercises hard training hardcore gym head injuries healing health health and fitness health and wellness health benefits health data health discipline health metrics health preservation health technology healthcare professionals healthy aging healthy competition prep healthy eating healthy eating for combat sports healthy feet healthy habits healthy holidays healthy lifestyle healthy lifestyle for dads healthy living healthy movement healthy sleep habits healthyeating heart rate heart rate monitors heart rate zones heat acclimation with sauna heat therapy for muscle recovery heavy bag workouts heavy lifting help others hidden sugars high altitude chambers high intensity training high mileage high school sports high-intensity swimming high-intensity training high-intensity workouts high-performance training hiit for fighters hilly terrain hip exercises hip strength historical feats history history of combat sports history of supplements holiday eating holiday fitness shopping list holiday fitness tips holiday health holiday indulgences holiday nutrition holiday season holiday stress holiday wellness holidays holistic development holistic fitness holistic health holistic nutrition home gym equipment home post home workouts homeschool vs public school homeschooling for athletes homeschooling pros and cons homeschooling resources hormonal balance hormone balance hormone health how to prepare for a fight human strength hybrid training hydration hydration benefits hydration strategies hydrogen water ice bath benefits ice bath recovery time ice bath temperature for athletes ice baths ice baths and immune system ice baths for athletes iconic fights immune support immune system immune-boosting foods impact of supplements improve athleticism improve jumping improve running improve technique improving bjj endurance increase strength incredible strength individualized workouts infant development inflammation information overload injury injury management injury prevention injury prevention for grapplers injury recovery injury risk inmate strength inner critic inspiration inspirational boxing movies inspirational stories intensity intensity and volume intent in workouts intentional effort intentional training intermittent fasting international wrestler interval training interval workouts isometric exercises isometric methods isometrics benefits jiu jitsu jiu jitsu exercises jiu jitsu workout jiu-jitsu jiu-jitsu conditioning jiu-jitsu diet jiu-jitsu for kids jiu-jitsu masters jiu-jitsu performance tracking jiu-jitsu recovery jiu-jitsu strategies jiu-jitsu strength training jiu-jitsu techniques jiu-jitsu training jiu-jitsu warm-up jiu-jitsu young athletes joe louis joint flexibility joint health joint mobility judo judo fitness tips jump rope training jumping jumping drills jumping exercises karate kayla harrison kettlebell kettlebell benefits kettlebell exercises kettlebell training kettlebell workouts kettlebells kickboxing kickboxing legends kids exercise kids fitness kinetic chain knee health knee injuries knockout power knockout punch labor-intensive work laborer strength training lactic conditioning landmine exercises landmine university lat pull-down leading by example for kids lean muscle learning styles leg strength leg strength for boxers legendary fighters legends level terrain life balance lifelong strength lifelong success lifestyle changes lifestyle for athletes lifestyle habits lift speed lightning-fast kicks load management loaded carries long-term athletic development long-term athletic success long-term benefits long-term success longevity longevity exercises losing weight low impact training low intensity training low testosterone