THE HOOK GRIP REVISITED.

The Hook Grip.

Who likes the hook grip?  When I first learned this grip a few years ago I swore that I’d never use it since it all that it seemed to do was hurt my poor little thumb.  However, after talking to more and more serious lifters and reading about the benefits of using it I converted.  Yes, the first few weeks weren’t that much fun and my thumb hurt a lot!  Now though, I can’t think of a better grip to use, especially when taking weight from the floor and when doing cleans – where in the past I’d have the bar fly right out of my hand when my grip got tired.  We can’t recommend this tool highly enough.  The hook grip – use it. 

Check out this quote from Jim Schmitz of www.ironmind.com on the hook grip and a little bit of the history of its use. 

“The hook grip is where you push the palm of your hand tight against the bar, grab the bar by wrapping your thumb around it, and then grasp your thumb and the bar tightly with your fingers.  Most people can grab the thumb with the first two fingers while their other two fingers directly grab the bar.  This technique really helps you lift more weight off the platform, especially when you accelerate for the second pull.  The hook grip is the best grip you can have without using straps.

I don’t know who first used the hook grip, but I asked Tommy Kono—Olympic weightlifting champion in 1952 and 1956 and silver medalist in 1960—when he learned about the hook grip, and he said he used it in 1948 when he took up weightlifting.  He said he read about it in a book or magazine.  I’ve asked many other weightlifters who have been around for a long time, and they all said they don’t know who was the first person to use it, but that someone showed them and they usually can’t remember who it was.  I know I learned it in 1966 from Walt Gioseffi, many-time California state champion and record holder in the 1960s.” 

Today’s Workout:
”Karen”
150 Wallball Shots for time.  (20#/14#)