GOPD: Gripper Obsession Personality Disorder

[Randall Strossen]

Over on the Gripboard, on a thread about gripper variability , I said something about if you had an obsessive-compulsive personality you could always buy a pile of each strength CoC you were training on . . . which led me to think that there might be some real benefits to formalizing this concept.

So, welcome GOPD, which is Gripper Obsession Personality Disorder to the uninitiated.

I see a big future coming from this: we need an advocate in Washington so we can shape legislation and the course of the nation as we think best for our special interest group, and I propose that the way to get the ball rolling is to establish the goal of being recognized in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V).

[Mike Corlett]

In 2004, after I got back from my first grip contest, my then-19-year-old daughter made a polite comment: "I think there must be some sort of Grip Gene". She had listened to my describing the competitors, the conversations we had, the event, etc. It was an unbiased observation; yeah, there is an element of truth to what you say, which can be good cannon fodder for Grip Critics.

[John McCarter]

Over on the Gripboard, on a thread about gripper variability , I said something about if you had an obsessive-compulsive personality you could always buy a pile of each strength CoC you were training on . . . which led me to think that there might be some real benefits to formalizing this concept.

So, welcome GOPD, which is Gripper Obsession Personality Disorder to the uninitiated.

I see a big future coming from this: we need an advocate in Washington so we can shape legislation and the course of the nation as we think best for our special interest group, and I propose that the way to get the ball rolling is to establish the goal of being recognized in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V).

Well, I have to say it seems to fit my personality

[dave murray]

Over on the Gripboard, on a thread about gripper variability , I said something about if you had an obsessive-compulsive personality you could always buy a pile of each strength CoC you were training on . . . which led me to think that there might be some real benefits to formalizing this concept.

So, welcome GOPD, which is Gripper Obsession Personality Disorder to the uninitiated.

I see a big future coming from this: we need an advocate in Washington so we can shape legislation and the course of the nation as we think best for our special interest group, and I propose that the way to get the ball rolling is to establish the goal of being recognized in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V).

pretty immature.

[Kim Wood]

there's some onomatopoetica-rhetica goin' on here...
Arthur Jones found Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer" to
be a very important book... of course, "the true believer"
is another name for a "dumb****" ...in fact I bought him
a case of the book and he'd give 'em out to people...
I was with Arthur once when one guy (who became a famous "super slow" guru)came up to Arthur and thanked him for a copy of the book...he even said " I see myself on every page" ...
I'm thinkin' "Wow!"


(this way to the Egress)

[Zach Kasukonis]

Over on the Gripboard, on a thread about gripper variability , I said something about if you had an obsessive-compulsive personality you could always buy a pile of each strength CoC you were training on . . . which led me to think that there might be some real benefits to formalizing this concept.

So, welcome GOPD, which is Gripper Obsession Personality Disorder to the uninitiated.

I see a big future coming from this: we need an advocate in Washington so we can shape legislation and the course of the nation as we think best for our special interest group, and I propose that the way to get the ball rolling is to establish the goal of being recognized in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V).

I think I recognize these symptoms, Randall....I suspect you may have GVDD...Gripper Variability Denial Disorder!

[Aaron Jacobs]

All of this incessant babble about grippers has reminded me that crushing grip strength comprises such a minuscule portion of training one's entire body. I am in no way pointing fingers but I find it amusing that some 'gripsters' who can close a 3.5 or pull off other impressive grip feats cannot even full squat 300lb.

[Steve Gardener]

And thus miss out on being better at grippers if they got strong all over.

[Randall Strossen]

So what is it about grippers?

[Mike Corlett]

So what is it about grippers?

I think it is because it is perceived to be the fastest way in the world to become King. The term "King" is relative to that individual.

Decades ago, Jesse Jackson had some slogan, almost like a mantra, "I am...Somebody". I am not a Psychology Guy, but it seems like
Grippers (for some) may be a way of leading to some sort of personal affirmation/self-esteem improvement/etc. But the best thing that can happen is that one gets off the "obssession" part of things, and moves on to self-betterment in other endeavors.

As to the "why" of it, I believe it is because fast results are achieved almost immediately. You can't go from a below average athlete to an above average athlete in any "sport" in a month like you can with Grippers.

[John McCarter]

So what is it about grippers?

I would say, out of all the things out there, grippers are by far the most simple things to understand: place it in your hand and close it (and if there's one beyond your level of strength, you get ticked off and wanna kill it). There's not much too them, a simple design and right to the point. Plus, you can take the gripper with you almost any where you go (there small, take up little to no room, and fit right in your pocket).

[Kim Wood]

spot on, Mike. What also seems to be in play is that guys
who never "achieved" in sports or lifting(or maybe anything)
for the first time
not only are "somebody" but (if they work hard enough
and are "certified") are close to being "world class"(and
most importantly for many, "recognized" as being "world class")...

whomever is responsible for all this has created a monster

[Randall Strossen]

I think I recognize these symptoms, Randall....I suspect you may have GVDD...Gripper Variability Denial Disorder!

Sounds like a stock line from a cult-like group favored by those with advanced GOPD, an environment where ideology can trump experience, logic or hard science.

[Casey Emery]

Not many " sports" can be played with a beer in one hand, and a cig hanging out of your mouth. Nobody else counting on you to make it to practice. No need for cardio. Overweight ? . . . thats OK too.

Everybody has different priorities. I try not to say things like " I do it this way, so you should too ". Although I have slipped and said things like that. A " grip " guy is alot like a " car" guy to me. It can be called obsessive from an outside perspective, but to another car guy nothing looks different. I guess it is all relative eh ? I'm sure Randy has never been accused of being obsessed with the sport weightlifting, or Kim has never been accused of being obsessed with football. If a living can be made of your obsession, is it then OK ?

Some guys like grippers and want alot of them, well if they got the money and thats on the list of priorities for them, then great. Alot of guys spend a ton of money on stuff they don't REALLY need. This is no different. These guys probably worked hard for their money, so they can spend it how they like.

edit: I am one of those grip guys !

[Zach Kasukonis]

Sounds like a stock line from a cult-like group favored by those with advanced GOPD, an environment where ideology can trump experience, logic or hard science.

Yeah, I dont see why this is such a big deal to people. I have the COC grippers up to a #3, and Ill be pretty happy when I can close it, regardless of what the RGC has to say about what it rates at...I understand using these ratings in contest situations, but its not really relevant to me personally. I am definitely not what youd call a "gripper guy"...I consider myself more of an endurance athlete, and as such it would be silly of me to try to build large amounts of powerlifting-type bulk, as that would only hurt my mountaineering and running goals...people train for different reasons, all of our goals arent the same. Some want to win PL meets, some want to climb mountains and run marathons...not really compatable objectives, but a strong grip is useful to everyone.

And while I am with you on the silly obsession about gripper ratings, I think you will find that hard science and basic logic will tell you that grippers do in fact vary. I think it would be nearly physically impossible to build ones that dont. This is not a knock on COC grippers, you make a fine product and I am sure you have cut the variability down as much as is feasable, but to claim that there is no variability is just silly and untrue.

[Justin Matney]

What also seems to be in play is that guys
who never "achieved" in sports or lifting(or maybe anything)
for the first time
not only are "somebody" but (if they work hard enough
and are "certified") are close to being "world class"(and
most importantly for many, "recognized" as being "world class")...

This.

I was an average high school football player, but I've always had decent strength. This is a good way to potentially harness some of that strength and hone out down to some more practical achievements, as the NFL and World's Strongest Man competition have long since been out of the question...lol.

[Kim Wood]

Justin, that's great...being "good" at grippers isn't
a bad thing... but it can become a kinda strange thing when
it's all one does and it turns into some kinda "fetish" behavior...

[Aaron Farley]

Justin, that's great...being "good" at grippers isn't
a bad thing... but it can become a kinda strange thing when
it's all one does and it turns into some kinda "fetish" behavior...

You mean to tell me sitting alone in the dark with a gripper in each hand whilst covered in chalk from head to toe and listening to Eye of the Tiger and watching internet porn isn't awesome???

Just kidding...I don't do that, no seriously I don't. I'm like Justin though, I've always been a pretty strong dude BUT I'll never be a world class athlete or power lifter. If I were ever to close a 3.5 or 4 ( highly unlikely ) I would be pretty proud of that close because I would wager that the vast majority of people walking around this planet can't duplicate this feat.

[Jordan Rechsteiner]

I am in no way pointing fingers but I find it amusing that some 'gripsters' who can close a 3.5 or pull off other impressive grip feats cannot even full squat 300lb.

hey easy buddy! ha ha ha.

-Jordan

[Tommy Jennings Jr]

ya...

Justin, that's great...being "good" at grippers isn't
a bad thing... but it can become a kinda strange thing when
it's all one does and it turns into some kinda "fetish" behavior...

ya... your right.. i guess i'll have to work on my gripper fetish... i dont know how far i would have taken things had you not spoke up...
thanks Mrs. Wood!