IGX

The Iron Grip DVD is an excellent video for any of the grip nuts out there, or just about anyone looking to gain a bit of lower arm strength. It features one of the better respected giants in the grip community, David Horne, along with Nick McKinless and the equally impressive Elizabeth Horne. Though shot on a budget, with your standard hand-held camera, the production value and editing makes this feature look like something you would see at a local film festival. I quite enjoyed watching it.

The main 54 minute portion of the DVD is broken down into sections covering all aspects of pinch training. Topics covered include the following:

2 Hand Pinch
Hub Lifting
Loose Pinching
1 Hand Pinching
Blobs & Blockweights
Thumb Training
History
Outdoor Training

Throughout video, David gives great tips on the specifics of each device, hand positioning, chalking, and how to utilize the ideal palm and finger pressure. In each of the sections, David also demos the lifts, many of which are considered at the top of the grip game: lifting the Blob, 45 plate hub w/ added weight, 2 45s, world record 2 HP, and so on. Nick also demonstrates several lifts as does David’s wife Elizabeth.

The main section of the DVD also gives us a glimpse of David’s quaint dungeon gym. Watching someone of Horne’s expertise performing impressive feats of strength in such an atmosphere is very inspiring. You also discover that one does not require the latest and greatest pieces of equipment, or to spend a lot of money on new gadgets to possess a world class grip. Many of the training ideas and tools used in the Iron Grip are rather modest, and could probably be built with things lying around the house. As a DIY type of guy, this is one thing that I really like about this DVD. There are a lot of creative ideas that could be put to good use like: wooden deadlift handles, a very simple Blob deloader, the Plank of Woe, pinch planks, and a rafter simulator. My favorite idea stemming from this DVD is the use of a plain old tire. It’s so simple yet so innovative – absolutely beautiful.

In addition to the main portion of the DVD, there is also about 16 to 17 minutes of bonus material. Therein contains your standard blooper reel with the missed line or two, followed by the complementary and necessary explicative or three. David squirting one out the backdoor after lifting the Blob is a must see – it happens to the best of us. The interesting addition here I found in the missed lifts. We get to see the human side of the elite. Although they make what they do seem easy and normal, they had to bust their ass to get where they are and still have to work hard to stay on top.

I’d say for any grip enthusiast, the Iron Grip DVD should be near the top of your “gotta have” list. It would be a great addition to the grip library. For the average individual looking to add a little grip work, it would be hard to go wrong with this video, however you would probably be just as well off diving into the archives of Gripboard posts or checking the Grip FAQ and Diesel Crew articles.

For the stateside folks, the DVD is approaching the expensive side. The American dollar ain’t shit against the pound so you’re looking to spend about $45 shipped, which really isn’t all that bad. Grip Empire on Ebay has a few copies in the US for around $55 if you want to get your hands on a copy now, as I believe David is currently sold out.

http://www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com/

David and my friend Nick Mckinless did a great job on this.

Hi...I'm new here but I stumbled upon the review and was really flattered (as was David) by your comments. The whole point of this DVD was content. I think we did that. The rest was 'creative' editing on very basic software (iMovie and iDVD). The DVD took an awful lot out of David and myself and was very time consuming. To achieve all the feats mentioned wasn't easy as I am sure you can imagine. In fact the easiest and most fun part was the editing!

Could David use this review on his website? We are going to re-issue the DVD soon and this would make a nice intro for those that haven't heard of it.

Many thanks,

Nick McKinless

nickmckinless wrote:Many thanks,

Nick McKinless

Way kewl. Welcome, Nick. Love your blog.

Thanks Stosh...nice quote...

Nick

Hug.