Grip strength (see our interview with grip-strength pro, David Horne) is something athletes and gym-goers are now becoming more aware of. Thick bar adapters, tools to convert barbell and dumbbell handles to a wider diameter, have become more popular recently. A relative newcomer to this market is the ConeGrip. Read our review to see what we thought of this unusual-shaped thick-bar adapter in ConeGrip — Forearm & Fingers Trainer.
Design
The box containing the ConeGrips is well-designed and detailed. The front displays a strong- looking vascular forearm and its opposite side illustrates five exercises to build a powerful grip. Additionally, a list of sports which the grips are useful for is shown, for example, CrossFit and bodybuilding.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find your new pair of ConeGrips, shaped exactly as the name suggests. They are a distinct red colour and feature the ConeGrip and Armsport names on them. Each grip has a split running down their length so you can place it onto the training equipment of your choice.
Build
Each ConeGrip is approximately 5 inches (13 cm) in length. The widest part of the cone is about 2.75 inches (7 cm) and this tapers down to fractionally under 2 inches at the narrowest section. The overall weight of the packaging and grips combined is around 780g.
Performance
Curious to Check these Out…!
When I first set my eyes on ConeGrips online I couldn’t resist buying them there and then. I’m always on the lookout for a new piece of equipment, something that may push up my strength levels and kick start some new gains. Already familiar and experienced with some of the thick grip implements out there, I was curious to see how these would compare.
Used them First on the Machine Preacher Curl, then on Deadlifts
I took the ConeGrips to the gym with me to try them out for the first time. As they’re designed mainly for arm training, I thought I’d try them first on the Machine Preacher Curl. I found the grips easy to prise open and they fitted snugly onto the machine’s handles.
Satisfying Burn Felt Quickly in My Biceps
Only a few reps into the set, I felt a satisfying burn in my biceps far quicker than I usually do. I slipped the ConeGrips onto an Olympic bar next to try one of my favourite exercises – the deadlift. Holding the grips with my ring and little fingers on the widest part worked those fingers effectively, targeting an area which doesn’t often get stimulated in training.
Turned the other way, the thumbs, index fingers and middle fingers took the bulk of the workload. A couple of sets of rows was all it took to fatigue my forearms and hands!
ConeGrips are Great to Use at Home
It’s great being able to train at the gym, but with the way the things are at present, many of us have opted to or needed to train at home. If you’ve got a few basic pieces of equipment in your home gym, adding the ConeGrips can make a world of difference to your workout.
Doing Chin-Ups with them Builds Your Grip Quickly
Attaching them to your pull-up bar to do chins or pull ups adds a huge challenge to your hands and it’s a sure-fire way to build your grip. I tried them on some high rep hammer curls and got a mind-blowing pump in my forearms. Naturally, many pulling exercises work the hands harder than pushing ones, but I still felt the benefit of using the grips on pushing exercises like dumbbell presses and EZ bar tricep extensions.
Still Grip Well even when Hands get Sweaty
The ConeGrips proved to be effective in both environments. I noticed that the product was still good to use when my hands were sweating from fast-paced workouts, a result of its non-slip rubber material. The company’s website states that these grips will activate more muscles in the arms, and judging by the arm pumps and soreness I felt, I quite believe that’s true.
Value
The ConeGrips are available to buy directly from the ConeGrip website and Amazon.com. Expect to pay around $60. The shipping is very fast when purchased from ArmSport’s website, considering that it’s transported from outside the UK. The product is tough and durable, making its price very fair and affordable.
If you’re after something unique that produces results, you’re not going to be disappointed with this. This product has a unique feel that other thick bar adapters simply don’t have. These could be your cure to stubborn forearm growth plateaus, or they could help you build hand strength to become more dominant in your sport. The ConeGrips are a well-designed product worth every penny. Well done ArmSport.
Are you into grip strength training? Which methods and/or products work best for you? Let us know in the comments below and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. While you’re here, check out our in-house ironman, Alan Riseborough’s many bodybuilding and training articles on forearm development, grip strength, shoulder strength, his interview with 5-time Mr. Olympia Masters champion, Vince Taylor, and much more to inspire you to Keep YOUR Fit ON!
