For years, I followed the “gold standard”: Captains of Crush (COC) grippers. They’re legendary for a reason, but they have a built-in flaw that eventually stalls progress. The jumps between difficulty levels are massive — 55 lbs from the #1 to the #2 — leaving you stuck in no man’s land, either breezing through one or failing the next.
While watching Jujimufu’s tour of Raspberry Ape’s gym, something clicked. Raspberry Ape made it simple: if you want to get good at grippers and you don’t care about certifying on the COC #3, you need an adjustable gripper. The one he recommended has since been discontinued, so I went down the rabbit hole and found what I believe is the best option on the market right now: the GD Iron Grip.
Here’s why it matters for eskrima specifically. In most of our training, we’re not using maximal crushing strength — the stick doesn’t require it. What actually gets an eskrimador disarmed isn’t a lack of raw power. It’s fatigue. Your grip endures dozens of strikes, blocks, and transitions across a long session, and when it starts to fade, that’s when the opening appears. An adjustable gripper lets you train that full spectrum: dial it back for high-rep endurance work that mimics a real session, or crank it up to build the raw strength that serves as your ceiling.
The GD Iron Grip earns its place on the shelf beyond just the concept. The resistance range is wide enough to be useful whether you’re a beginner building a base or an intermediate looking to push past a plateau. The build quality is solid, and the symmetrical design means it feels identical in both hands — no awkward adjustments when you switch.
Whether you’re an eskrimador, a lifter, or just someone who wants bigger forearms , this tool has a place in your training.
Check out the full video below for the unboxing, technical specs, and more.
NotEnoughAndy.com 
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