Frog Grips Review: The Best Training Tool to Improve Your Grip Strength

If you’re passionate about functional fitness, weightlifting, or CrossFit, you already know how crucial grip strength is. Whether you’re powering through pull-ups, hitting heavy deadlifts, or tackling intense kettlebell swings, maintaining a solid grip can make or break your performance.

That’s where Frog Grips come into play. These innovative training accessories are designed to significantly enhance grip strength and endurance, giving athletes a competitive edge during training. But they’ve sparked some controversy along the way — in fact, they were banned from CrossFit competitions due to the advantage they offer. So, are they really worth adding to your gym bag? I put Frog Grips to the test to find out.

What Are Frog Grips?

Frog Grips are specialized fitness accessories made from durable, non-slip materials designed to improve your grip strength and hand endurance. Their unique design features a textured, suction-cup-like surface, reminiscent of a frog’s sticky fingers, which maximizes your hold on various equipment.

You can attach them to:

• Pull-up bars for enhanced grip during bodyweight movements
• Barbells and dumbbells for increased hand activation during heavy lifts
• Kettlebells to challenge grip endurance during swings and snatches
• Rope climbs for a secure and fatigue-resistant grip

These grips aim to challenge your hands and forearms more than standard handles or straps, forcing your muscles to work harder and adapt to increased demands.

Why Were Frog Grips Banned from CrossFit Competitions?

One point of controversy surrounding Frog Grips, and many similar grips, is that they were banned from official CrossFit competitions. The reason? They were deemed to provide an unfair advantage by significantly enhancing grip strength and reducing hand fatigue. This ban only adds to their reputation as a powerful training tool, as they were seen to give athletes an edge that wasn’t purely based on raw strength.

While they’re not allowed in competition, Frog Grips are still a popular choice for training and personal use, as they help build the grip endurance needed for high-level performance.

Putting Frog Grips to the Test

I took Frog Grips through a series of exercises to see how they stacked up against traditional grips and bare-handed workouts. Here’s what I found:

Pull-Ups

Straight away, I noticed the extra effort required to maintain my grip. The textured surface made it feel like my fingers had to lock onto the bar, engaging my forearms and hand muscles far more than usual. My typical pull-up sets felt significantly more demanding, but I could tell that I was building functional grip strength that would translate to real-world movements.

Deadlifts and Kettlebell Swings

When using them on a barbell for deadlifts, I quickly realized how much more forearm activation was required. The grips felt secure but demanded consistent pressure to hold on. With kettlebell swings, the challenge was equally intense, as I had to fight the natural momentum trying to pry the grip from my hands.

Rope Climbs

Using Frog Grips for rope climbs was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they gave me superior grip and confidence, but on the other, they exhausted my forearms far faster than usual. Still, the strength gains from practicing with them were undeniable.

Pros and Cons of Frog Grips

Pros:

• ✅ Significant Grip Strength Improvement: Forces your hand and forearm muscles to work harder, leading to noticeable strength gains.
• ✅ Versatile Usage: Suitable for various exercises, including pull-ups, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, and rope climbs.
• ✅ Enhanced Endurance: Reduces the likelihood of hand fatigue during prolonged workouts.
• ✅ Compact and Portable: Easy to carry and store, making them ideal for both gym and home use.
• ✅ Durable Design: Built from high-quality, non-slip materials that withstand intense training sessions.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Steep Learning Curve: Beginners may struggle to adapt to the increased difficulty, as the grips can feel awkward at first.
• ⚠️ Potential Discomfort: Some users may experience hand fatigue or soreness after extended use, especially during grip-heavy movements.
• ⚠️ Banned from CrossFit Competitions: Due to the performance advantage they offer, Frog Grips are not allowed in official CrossFit events.
• ⚠️ Not Suitable for Everyone: Athletes with existing hand or wrist injuries may find the additional strain uncomfortable or risky.

Are Frog Grips Worth It?

For athletes looking to boost their grip strength and endurance, Frog Grips are undeniably effective. They challenge your muscles in unique ways, forcing you to build real strength that translates into better performance across multiple disciplines.

However, they’re not for everyone. If you’re a beginner or prone to hand fatigue, you may find them too demanding at first. And if your primary focus is CrossFit competition, keep in mind that you can’t use them in official events.

But for training purposes? They’re fantastic. The functional gains are undeniable, and they’ll make your regular training sessions feel noticeably more challenging. If you’re up for the grind, Frog Grips will reward you with superior grip power and forearm endurance.

Conclusion

If you’re committed to improving your grip and aren’t deterred by the initial challenge, Frog Grips are definitely worth the investment. Just be prepared for a bit of discomfort and an adjustment period as your muscles adapt.