Off Topic - All About Gymnastics Grips

Excellent questions, I'll have to add / expand on that stuff later in the guide. Here are some quick answers below...

Is there a quick way to break them in?

Yes... but you have to know what you are doing to do it as it could easily damage the grips.

The wrist area I fold over back and forth many times both horizontally and vertically as well as forward and backwards.

THIS PART IS NOT RECOMMENDED FROM THE GRIP COMPANIES (DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK):
The actual leather that goes over the palm, I twist it like I am wringing out a rag. Be very careful doing this as you could tear either the threads or the actual leather of the grip. When you twist them like this you can actually feel the leather stretching. Depending on the stiffness / softness of the grip I either do it only one direction, or I follow up the first twist with a second in the opposite direction.

The next thing I do is have the athlete put on the grips. Once the grips are on I physically put their hand over the bar cable exactly like I want it (with the grips grabbing the cable correctly). I have them pull pretty hard several times to get the grip like I want it.

Now I have them grab the bar and I visually inspect the grip as it is grabbing onto the bar. I look at how the grips fit, how the athlete is holding the bar, how they are wearing their wristbands, how tight the grips are, and if they have the grips in the center of their palm.

From their I have them do some spotted swings on the low bar with bent legs if they fit. I spot by holding the wrist area in case they peel off. If that goes well, then we move onto spotted kips. I visually inspect the grips as they are going while being ready to catch them in case they peel.

If everything is going well and the gymnast can do giants, then it's straight to the pit bar for several turns of giants. If they can't do giants, then also the pit bar, but tap swings instead.

Typically it takes our athletes about 15 minutes to break in a new pair of grips if they already have grips. About a practice if they have never had grips before.

One thing to keep in mind is that if they have never had grips before you may not be dealing with breaking in the grips. You might actually be dealing with an athlete that either doesn't understand how to use them or they are just not ready for them yet.

They always seem to stretch with use making it tough to know what size to order next. Is there a solid reliable sizing method you like?

This question is much harder to answer than the last one as there is an extremely reliable method, but you won't be able to do it online.

Yes... I use the sizing chart from the company along with visually inspecting the athlete grabbing the bar with them on and using them on the bar. We have all sizes of grips in stock at our club, this allows us (coaches) to visually / physically size our athletes on the spot, this is what I would recommend.

Many times I do give them the size that their current grips have stretched into.

The thing to understand about sizing grips is that a professional coach should always approve them before the athlete does giants or any 360 degree circling skill in them.

The biggest thing to remember is that it is much better to have to pay for two pair of grips because you ordered the wrong size the first time, than it is to pay for an injury.

Grips - excellent and informative post.

The pic in the article shows an athlete wearing the buckle grips with the buckles to the inside when not on. I ask my gymnasts to always have the buckles to the outside (or straps to the outside). This prevents dings or cuts from the buckles. Do others suggest other?

BTW: I appreciate the different colored wrist bands. Great idea when working with pirouetting skills.

View attachment

Cheers, Eric -

I actually recommend that the straps go out like in the picture that you posted. I don't make them wear them with the straps a specific way though. The picture of the grip straps in is actually my daughter.

The black and orange wristbands (team colors) are fairly important in our program. As they begin, the orange wristband goes on your first hand the goes down in a cartwheel or roundoff. The black wristband goes on the other wrist.

When we teach a regular pirouette, the hand with the orange wristband is the one that flips and they turn the pirouette over the bar just like a roundoff.

When they do a reverse pirouette or blind or swing half, the hand with the black wristband stays on the bar. The arm with the black wristband is the post arm.

As they progress to the full pirouette, they post with the black wristband and then pirouette out on their "good" hand which feels just like a roundoff.

This means that we are teaching them to spin their pirouettes on bars opposite of their front and back twisting direction. We have found that their is no relationship to pirouetting and twisting.

Now with bails or overshoots or anything with flight and flipping rotation, we do try try to teach them in the direction of their twist. If they want to turn a bail into a Bhardwaj, then it is easier to be spinning in the twist direction.

Something to note, none of these things are "set in stone". If we have an athlete that just ends up doing things differently, then we just tell them to switch their wristbands.

The wristbands really help the coaches spot all their pirouetting skills more effectively without remembering the direction of each and every kid.

Much of this is information that Al Fong has helped us discover over the years. Thanks Al!

Wow, lots of info to add to that article and possibly a whole new article to write up. Oh my gosh, THANK YOU for making this article! My daughter competed a kip for level 3, then scored out of level 4 and scored out of 5 one month apart - so she has managed to refuse to wear grips in the name of not relearning skills.

BUT she has super sweaty hands and in the bar warm up at the meet, she peeled off the bar (and the only other girl without grips flew off during her actual routine - coach caught her midair) so we’re insisting she REALLY has to try to use them for optional skills. But I have questions I can’t find answers to!!!

What is the purpose of the rubber band??? How does one use the rubber band? Her coach said to use the rubber band (and I think told her how to use them) but she’s like my fingers are suffocating, and she says the rubber band is supposed to be attached to the dowel.. not... her fingers? I realize this probably sounds stupid - there’s a language barrier with her lovely coach as well as him being seriously spread thin so I’m not understanding anything lol and a 9 year old is not a reliable narrator.

Also - where is the dowel supposed to sit on their hand/fingers? My kid says it’s harder for her to grip onto the bar right now but the finger holes def weren’t right before.

She can do all her skills but she’s apparently changed her form on them which is confusing her coach, he’s asking her what is she doing with her body right now - I’m guessing this is a side effect of feeling like she’s not gripping on?

You said that grips help shift the weight off the wrists? That would be such a relief

I’ve written a novel, sorry I’ve been looking for answers everywhere

What is the purpose of the rubber band??? How does one use the rubber band? Her coach said to use the rubber band (and I think told her how to use them) but she’s like my fingers are suffocating, and she says the rubber band is supposed to be attached to the dowel.. not... her fingers? I realize this probably sounds stupid - there’s a language barrier with her lovely coach as well as him being seriously spread thin so I’m not understanding anything lol and a 9 year old is not a reliable narrator.

I do not have any of my athletes use the rubber bands and they all do just fine. First thing I do is snap the rubber bands off. If the finger holes are too big we just wrap the center of the finger holes with a bit of tape.

To answer your question. The rubber band helps hold the grips on. Here is a video from US Glove...

Also - where is the dowel supposed to sit on their hand/fingers? My kid says it’s harder for her to grip onto the bar right now but the finger holes def weren’t right before.

The dowel basically forms and addition digit on your finger tips that allows you to hang on to the bar easier without using the wrist (wrist should stay straight as you swing through the bottom). That video above shows how it works.

She can do all her skills but she’s apparently changed her form on them which is confusing her coach, he’s asking her what is she doing with her body right now - I’m guessing this is a side effect of feeling like she’s not gripping on?

Hard to say if this is a good or bad thing. Do you mean form like straight legs and pointed toes... or form like the way she moves and flows through the skills? She may feel as if she is slipping off... or she may actually have more grip power and not understand it.

You said that grips help shift the weight off the wrists? That would be such a relief

No... they actually transfer some of the force to the wrist. Just like how you grab in the picture below... much of the force is transferred to the wrist/arm area...



Also from the article... this is just my opinion...

• Does their hand measure 5 1/2 inches or more from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger? Many times athletes with small hands find it hard to swing with grips.

Buying good grips that feel comfortable in your hand can have a dramatic effect on your ability to swing the club properly. Bad grips will only make the game harder – and golf is not a game that needs to be made any harder.Three Basic Points Regarding Golf Club GripsBefore getting into the specifics of different grip manufacturers and how to pick the right grips for you, there are a few points that need to be made. Grips aren’t nearly as complicated as shafts or club heads, but you still want to be sure that are doing everything you can to allow your grips to help you play better golf.

The following three points are important for any golfer to remember –

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• Replace your grips before they wear out. Too many golfers continue to play with grips that are hard and slick – which is only going to make it more difficult to hit quality golf shots. Your grips should feel slightly tacky in your hands, and they shouldn’t be hard or cracked on the surface. As soon as you notice that your grips are slippery – even after you have cleaned them – it is time to put new grips on your clubs. Typically, you want to replace all of your grips at the same time to maintain consistency throughout your bag. Even if some of the lesser-used clubs (like long irons) aren’t worn out quite yet, it is smart to simply replace the whole set all at once and start over.
• Get fitted for your grips. Custom fitting of golf clubs is important when it comes to shaft flex and loft and lie angle, but it is also important when choosing grips. There are multiple grip sizes available, and you can also alter the thickness of the grip during the installation process. You can have a club fitting professional work with you to determine what size grips will work best. Using a grip that is too small can cause overactive hands in the golf swing, while a grip that is too large can make it difficult to release the club through the shot. It should be easy to tell when you find a grip that is ‘just right’ because the club will feel comfortable in your hands from the moment you pick it up.
• Wash your grips frequently. As you go through a round of golf, sweat and oils from your hands will be transferred into your grips. If you fail to wash your grips, they will quickly become slippery and hard to hold on to during your swing. To prevent having to replace your grips prematurely, get into the habit of washing the grips with a towel and some soapy water following every round. You don’t want to use a lot of water – just dip the towel in your bucket of soapy water and rub down each grip. Leave them out of your bag to dry and they should be ready to go for your next round.

Grip maintenance is important because you need tacky grips in order to maintain a light grip pressure on the club throughout your swing. When you play with slick grips, you will have to squeeze the club tightly in order to hold on to the club – and a tight grip is never a good thing in golf. Prior to each round, make sure that your grips are clean and in good condition. This seemingly minor step can go a long way toward helping you play your best.

Golf grips play a vital role in a golfer's performance and can significantly affect their control, comfort, and consistency. Here's what you need to know about golf grips:

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1. Importance of Golf Grips: The golf grip is the only connection between the golfer and the club. It influences how the clubface squares at impact, affects swing mechanics, and ultimately determines the accuracy and feel of the shot. Worn-out or ill-fitting grips can lead to loss of control, decreased performance, and discomfort.
2. Types of Golf Grips: There are several types of golf grips available, including:
   • Overlapping Grip: The most common grip used by golfers, also known as the Vardon grip. The little finger of the trailing hand overlaps the index and middle fingers of the lead hand.
   • Interlocking Grip: Similar to the overlapping grip, but the little finger of the trailing hand is interlocked with the index finger of the lead hand. Often preferred by golfers with smaller hands or weaker grip strength.
   • Ten-Finger Grip: Also known as the baseball grip, all ten fingers of the hands are in contact with the club. It provides more stability and control, making it suitable for beginners or golfers with weak grip strength.
3. Grip Size: Golf grips come in various sizes to accommodate different hand sizes and grip preferences. Grip size can influence grip pressure, comfort, and shot direction. The most common grip sizes are undersize, standard, midsize, and oversized. Getting the right grip size is crucial for proper hand placement and control.
4. Grip Materials: Golf grips are typically made from rubber, synthetic compounds, or leather. Rubber grips are the most popular due to their durability, affordability, and availability in different textures and firmness levels. Synthetic grips offer similar characteristics to rubber grips but may have enhanced moisture-wicking properties. Leather grips, less common today, provide a traditional feel but require more maintenance.
5. Grip Texture: Golf grips can have different textures, ranging from smooth to highly textured or corded. Texture affects traction and feel. Grips with more texture provide enhanced grip security in wet conditions or for golfers with sweaty hands. Golfers often choose a texture that suits their preference and playing conditions.
6. Regripping: Over time, golf grips wear out and lose their effectiveness. It is recommended to regrip clubs regularly, typically every 40-60 rounds or at least once a year. Regripping involves removing the old grip and replacing it with a new one. Many golf shops offer regripping services, or you can choose to do it yourself with the proper tools.
7. Personal Preference: Ultimately, the choice of golf grip depends on personal preference and comfort. Golfers should experiment with different grips to find the one that feels best and provides optimal control and confidence. Working with a golf professional or club fitter can provide valuable guidance in determining the right grip for your game.

For seniors with stiff fingers, it's important to select golf grips that provide comfort, ease of use, and a secure grip. Here are a few types of golf grips that may be suitable:

1. Oversized Grips: Oversized grips have a larger diameter than standard grips, providing a more substantial and cushioned feel. These grips can help seniors with stiff fingers by reducing grip pressure and allowing for a more relaxed grip. The extra size can also promote stability and reduce the tendency to squeeze the club tightly.
2. Arthritic Grips: Arthritic grips are specifically designed for golfers with arthritis or joint pain. These grips have a softer and more shock-absorbing construction, which can help alleviate discomfort and make it easier to hold the club. They often feature a non-slip texture or contours that provide extra grip security.
3. Ribbed Grips: Ribbed grips have a series of small ridges along the underside of the grip, promoting proper hand placement and preventing slippage. The ridges can help seniors with stiff fingers maintain a consistent grip position, enhancing control and reducing the need for excessive hand manipulation during the swing.
4. Tapered Grips: Tapered grips have a larger diameter near the top of the grip and gradually decrease in size towards the bottom. This design can assist seniors with stiff fingers by providing a more comfortable grip and allowing for easier hand closure around the club.
5. Winn Grips: Winn grips are known for their soft and tacky feel. They are made from advanced polymer materials that provide excellent cushioning and grip even in damp conditions. Winn grips can be beneficial for seniors with stiff fingers, as they offer a comfortable and secure hold on the club.

Remember, the golf grip is an essential aspect of your golf equipment, and maintaining proper grip condition and fit is crucial for consistent and effective performance on the course.

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