Strengthen that grip!!

It's amazing to me when I see how weak most people's grip strength is. If your grip is weak, everything is also going to be weak. How can you move any substantial weight during a deadlift if you can barely hold onto the bar? Or how many pull ups are you going to expect to do if you're hanging by finger tips on the third rep? Some people, mostly kids and males with big egos, would go to using straps. But this is only a crutch. Now you may be be able to deadlift or do those pull ups, but your grip is still weak. Are you going to use those straps for every lift that involves grip work? I hope not. A strong grip will not only help you with certain lifts, but it will also protect your shoulder. The harder you grip something, the better your shoulder is going to stabilize itself because it is going to sense the increased tension.

Here are some exercises I'd recommend to improve grip strength and endurance:

• Hex Dumbbell Holds for time
  
• Fat Bar Holds for time (don't have a fat bar, wrap a towel around the bar)
• Plate Pinches
• Towel Chin ups
• Reverse EZ Bar Curls
• Farmers Walks

Try some of these exercises at the end of your workout if you feel you're lacking in grip strength. Remember, you're only as strong as your weakest link. Plus, I'm tired of those dead fish handshakes that still all too common.