Category: Fitness

Fitness stuff that has or is making me a healthier person.

  • Stop Buying Individual Grippers: The Adjustable GD Iron Grip Upgrade

    Stop Buying Individual Grippers: The Adjustable GD Iron Grip Upgrade

    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.

  • Shogun Sports 100lb Sandbag — A Real World Strength Tool

    Shogun Sports 100lb Sandbag — A Real World Strength Tool

    I’m a big believer in training that translates to the real world. This 100lb Shogun Sports sandbag is a fantastic tool for developing “functional” strength — the kind required to move the awkward, asymmetrical objects that traditional weights often miss. Whether your focus is conditioning or general health, sandbags force you to adapt to a shifting, unstable load in a way few other implements can.

    What I didn’t cover in the video: the shifting, unpredictable weight of a sandbag is remarkably similar to what you experience in martial arts, grappling, and wrestling — where your “opponent” isn’t a fixed, balanced load. If you train in any of those disciplines, this is an especially worthwhile addition to your toolkit. It also doubles as a surprisingly solid low seat for box-style squats, which I didn’t expect but use regularly.

    Filling this bag turned into a mini-project of its own — dealing with damp sand and odd smells — but that’s part of the process of building a home gym. If you’re looking for a durable, veteran-owned gear option that can take a beating, this is a strong recommendation.

    Key Takeaways from the Build:

    • The Build: Top-tier construction featuring high-quality YKK zippers and a reinforced internal liner to prevent leaks.
    • The Fill: Buy your sand in the summer and fill it outside. If not, be prepared to dry it out manually with a fan — and to clean up a lot of dust.
    • The Result: A versatile, rugged tool that has become a staple for my strength and conditioning.

    Check out the full video below for the unboxing, filling tips, and my detailed first impressions.