grip therapy

[dave murray]

does anyone know anything about dexterity balls?? those chinese things??

[Jeff Gullicksen]

I use the dexterity balls. I bought both sets from Ironmind and then got some shotputs as well, 3, 4, and 6 lbs. I like them. The booklet by John Brookfield covers how to use them.

[Jordan Rechsteiner]

I use the dexterity balls. I bought both sets from Ironmind and then got some shotputs as well, 3, 4, and 6 lbs. I like them. The booklet by John Brookfield covers how to use them.

Hey Jeff with Dexterity balls, is it more size, speed, or weight thats the primary driving force behind gains? I can just barely do it with these 2 wooden balls. They are hollow but I can make them rotate both ways. These things are huge! About 4.5 inches in diameter but they weigh practically nothing and I also have to move them extremely slowly even with my long fingers to keep from dropping one. Dex balls might be a fun thing to incorporate into my training. BTW Jeff, I am interested in what you teach. :) Do you have some videos I could watch? I'm horrible at standup even though I am 6'10" I took more to grappling and wrestling oddly enough.


-Jordan

[Jeff Gullicksen]

Hey Jordon, I think it is all three. I can't image using 4.5 inch diameter balls. Wouldn't fit in my hand. The 6 pounder's I have are indoor shotputs and they are 100 mm in diameter. They are not solid. I think you can go up to 4 Kilos with solid and stay at 95 mm. 4.5 inches is 114 mm so you might be able to go all the way to 16 pounds. That would be nuts. I don't think I could do more than a few more mm before they would just drop out my hands.

I try to do as many rotations in both directions as possible, either going for time or a specific number. I find that if I don't have a goal in the training session, they fall out of my hands fast.

With palms down rotations, I can not do the larger IM set yet with good form. I always have to tilt the palm at a certain point so they don't fall out of my hands. I think my hands are big enough, but I just lack the finger tip strength to do it. I don't know If I will ever have a chance to do the 3 lb ones palms down.

I don't have any videos of myself doing martial arts. I don't really like looking at them. All I see is all my mistakes.

[Jordan Rechsteiner]

Hey Jordon, I think it is all three. I can't image using 4.5 inch diameter balls. Wouldn't fit in my hand. The 6 pounder's I have are indoor shotputs and they are 100 mm in diameter. They are not solid. I think you can go up to 4 Kilos with solid and stay at 95 mm. 4.5 inches is 114 mm so you might be able to go all the way to 16 pounds. That would be nuts. I don't think I could do more than a few more mm before they would just drop out my hands.

I try to do as many rotations in both directions as possible, either going for time or a specific number. I find that if I don't have a goal in the training session, they fall out of my hands fast.

With palms down rotations, I can not do the larger IM set yet with good form. I always have to tilt the palm at a certain point so they don't fall out of my hands. I think my hands are big enough, but I just lack the finger tip strength to do it. I don't know If I will ever have a chance to do the 3 lb ones palms down.

I don't have any videos of myself doing martial arts. I don't really like looking at them. All I see is all my mistakes.

Using shot as dex balls. Wow thats genius Jeff. :;st) I would have never thought of that! I doubt I could do shot the same size without serious, frustrating practice. When I say slowly think 20 seconds slow going counter clockwise, and maybe 30-40 seconds clockwise IF I actually dont drop the one which started by my thumb when it is coming around on the left side. It does help that my hands from the base of my palm to my index finger is around 9.5 inches, and the spread between my thumb and pinkie is over 10" so yes the size of hands is a major factor, but I am not that good at it, I suppose I just have the patience to keep trying for a few hours and mainly to impress a girl lol.

[Jeff Gullicksen]

Using shot as dex balls. Wow thats genius Jeff. :;st) I would have never thought of that! I doubt I could do shot the same size without serious, frustrating practice. When I say slowly think 20 seconds slow going counter clockwise, and maybe 30-40 seconds clockwise IF I actually dont drop the one which started by my thumb when it is coming around on the left side. It does help that my hands from the base of my palm to my index finger is around 9.5 inches, and the spread between my thumb and pinkie is over 10" so yes the size of hands is a major factor, but I am not that good at it, I suppose I just have the patience to keep trying for a few hours and mainly to impress a girl lol.

I would like to claim that idea as my own, but I got it from John Brookfield. What hasn't that guy thought of? You might go faster with heavier dex balls. I have never tried light ones but they might actually fall out of the hand easier because even a tiny technique mistake might push it the off the hand.