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Ice tool grip strength training device?

Original Post
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

I'm looking for something to help my ice tool grip strength.

Something like the Metolius rock rings, but shaped like a cylinder rather than climbing holds.

Anyone know of such a thing for sale, or am I going to have to make one?

Scott Robertson · · Portland, OR · Joined Jun 2002 · Points: 110

I think what you want is a piece of pvc wrapped with grip tape or whatever you want, with cord attached and then hang them from something. Basically half a nunchuck (or whatever).

Dead hangs on ice tools for days also work. 10 x 30 sec hangs after a workout. Check out mountain athletes ice/alpine training program. If you don't have a wall where you can drytool, hangs are good.

Traditionally I don't spend a lot of time doing real lifting in the gym (olympic lifts), but this year I decided that I needed to build some foundational strength. I was amazed at how much my grip was challenged with long sessions of deadlifts, suitcase carrys, pull ups, trx rows, blah blah blah. While I was surprised (and saw real benefit on ice from both more strength in general and the taxing nature of those workouts) I'm sure it's a no brainer to more than a few.

Hope this helps.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
powercompanyclimbing.com/20…



Kind of pricey, though. Making a DIY version from PVC or a large wooden dowel would be pretty easy.
Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

This looks perfect.

JCM wrote:http://www.powercompanyclimbing.com/2013/11/review-atomik-bombs-from-atomik.html Kind of pricey, though. Making a DIY version from PVC or a large wooden dowel would be pretty easy.
Josh Brown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 20

I took a length of 1x6 board and traced my tools (handles only). Cut them out, sanded them down and taped them. I then drilled a hole in the top of the shaft and tied webbing through so I can take them to the gym (non-climbing gym) and use them on the pullup station. Works, cheap and if somebody walks off with them while I'm doing something else no big deal.

beccs · · Ontario Canada · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 200

Are you looking for strength or endurance? Personally I just train on my ice tools, you can build a mighty mighty pump especially when practacing figure 4s and such.

Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

Kai,
Mountain Works has these hung up in there shop if you want to see them in person
Dallen

JohnnyG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 10
ScoRo wrote:Dead hangs on ice tools for days also work.
This.

Go one handed or add weight to build strength. To build endurance, hang with both hands for 20 sec on 20 sec off for 10, 15 , or 20 minutes .

It doesn't get more sport specific than that.

And in my experience it helps a lot.
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436
beccs wrote:Are you looking for strength or endurance? Personally I just train on my ice tools, you can build a mighty mighty pump especially when practacing figure 4s and such.
I do this at home. I'm looking for something to take to the gym to work into my standard work-out. (not a climbing gym, a regular gym)

I don't think the gym management would take kindly to me bringing pointy ice tools to the gym.

I ordered the Atomik bombs "missile" things. I think they will do the job, and won't freak anyone at the gym out.
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

Got the missile things in the mail.

atomikclimbingholds.com/ato…

Used them today. They're great. Can vary the intensity by gripping them high or low. Should be excellent for ice tool grip training, and crossover for rock climbing grip training as well.

ZoeyG · · Brattleboro, VT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 625

For a cheap creative option, perhaps grab some used handlebars from a bike shop? There is the kind of bar with finger-moded plastic wrapped handles and hooks at both ends.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Here I thought the whole problem was our tendency to overgrip, clutch tools with a death grip. Newer tools let you 'hang on the bottom finger loop, older ones you could hang on your leash. Power in the placement, relax the grip and use bones to hang, legs to lift. Over gripping leads to cold and tired hands. I'm not sure a Hulk grip would be needed except for sporty mixed , technical or comp routes. I grabbed on for life 30+ years ago on straight handle tools with no finger grips and no leashes...was a dam hard sport back then to WI5.

Steven N · · CO · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 80

Even cheaper than handle bars are dowel rods from the hardware store. put in some eye bolts or just drill a hole and run some cord and Presto!
Old/ broken hockey sticks would be good also as they're pretty close to the size of ice tools.

webdog · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 0

I just use 2 cheap hand towels when I go into the gym. Roll 'em up and throw them over the pull up bar/power station etc. Cheap and multi use gym item

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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