Cliff Hanger: a simple device for grip strength

Steve Newton · 04-14-2007, 08:51 PM

Just thought I'd share a simple idea for an effective grip strength tool. The idea came from a Ninja Warrior obstacle called Cliff Hanger, which invloves crossing a gap while holding onto a small ledge (Ninja Warrior is a Japanese game show deemed the ultimate obstacle course).

To recreate it simply attach a length of 2x2 along the bottom of an overhead rafter. For added difficulty, leave a gap every few feet. This is the perfect tool to build open-hand/finger-tip strength. Plus, you'll be able to get across your basement without touching the ground, although I cant imagine why you would need to...

If anyone else has ideas for making homemade obstacles (from the show or elsewhere), I'd love to hear them.

Kurt Holm · 04-15-2007, 06:44 AM

One of these days I'm going to mount climbing wall holds to an open rafter. I figure they'll be great for pull-ups and dead hangs.

Ben Nance · 04-15-2007, 07:40 AM

Get a finger board...you can mount it anywhere and it's specifically made for that...

climbing companies like metolius make them

Roger Smith · 04-15-2007, 10:07 AM

I'm working on something similar. I'm going to use differing size boards, like 2 , 2x4, then 2X4 and 1X4, etc. to work differing finger parts.

gotta love that show ninja warrior....

Skylar Cook · 04-15-2007, 10:38 AM

My favorite grip/pullup strength tool is the Campus Board. Basically it's a series of 3/4" - 1 1/4" wide ledges mounted on a 10-20 degree overhang.

Here's a quicktime video demonstration (safe):
https://www.moonclimbing.com/index.php?form_action=video_detail&video_id=58&off s et=48

EDIT: You'll have to copy and paste that link. Clicking it doesn't work (at least on my comp) because of the https:// format.

(Message edited by surfreak on April 15, 2007)

Steve Newton · 04-15-2007, 11:05 AM

Skylar,
The campus board looks like it would be an awesome workout. I'll have to build one in the near future.

Roger,
Have you seen the completely revamped course since Nagano beat it last year? The Cliff Hanger is even more brutal. You can watch Stage 3 here (safe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-7KeA8-6E

Roger Smith · 04-15-2007, 04:20 PM

Steve,
WOW...That is insane. I'd love to try though (with a couple bands at least assistance LOL)

Dennis Barrett · 04-15-2007, 05:12 PM

What was the name of that contraption that Matthew Modine climbed in the movie Vision Quest?
It looked like a giant cribbage board bolted to the wall and he had two dowels in his hands.

David Sailor · 04-15-2007, 05:46 PM

Dennis,

Didn't see the movie but what you described sounds like this:

http://www.schoolmasters.com/fitness15.html

WFS to Wolverine sports, a pegboard climber.

Garrett Smith · 04-16-2007, 07:39 AM

Dennis,
Thanks for asking that question, you totally reminded me of another low-cost piece of climbing-strength equipment for my gym--seriously, a piece of wood with drilled holes and some dowels doesn't get much cheaper!

Right now, for my potential gym, I'm looking at building a Moon board (w/f safe https://www.moonclimbing.com/index.php?form_action=school&school_id=4, basically a smaller, totally changeable climbing wall), a finger board, maybe a campus board, and definitely a peg board. That's to go with the climbing rope and the rings.

With all that stuff, if I start looking or sounding like a monkey, someone please tell me!

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04-14-2007, 08:51 PM	#1
Steve Newton Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Selkirk NY Posts: 18	Just thought I'd share a simple idea for an effective grip strength tool. The idea came from a Ninja Warrior obstacle called Cliff Hanger, which invloves crossing a gap while holding onto a small ledge (Ninja Warrior is a Japanese game show deemed the ultimate obstacle course). To recreate it simply attach a length of 2x2 along the bottom of an overhead rafter. For added difficulty, leave a gap every few feet. This is the perfect tool to build open-hand/finger-tip strength. Plus, you'll be able to get across your basement without touching the ground, although I cant imagine why you would need to... If anyone else has ideas for making homemade obstacles (from the show or elsewhere), I'd love to hear them.

04-15-2007, 06:44 AM	#2
Kurt Holm Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tenafly NJ Posts: 133	One of these days I'm going to mount climbing wall holds to an open rafter. I figure they'll be great for pull-ups and dead hangs.

04-15-2007, 07:40 AM	#3
Ben Nance Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado (Originally from Alaska) Posts: 147	Get a finger board...you can mount it anywhere and it's specifically made for that... climbing companies like metolius make them

04-15-2007, 10:07 AM	#4
Roger Smith Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 388	I'm working on something similar. I'm going to use differing size boards, like 2 , 2x4, then 2X4 and 1X4, etc. to work differing finger parts. gotta love that show ninja warrior....

04-15-2007, 10:38 AM	#5
Skylar Cook Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Jupiter FL Posts: 773	My favorite grip/pullup strength tool is the Campus Board. Basically it's a series of 3/4" - 1 1/4" wide ledges mounted on a 10-20 degree overhang. Here's a quicktime video demonstration (safe): https://www.moonclimbing.com/index.php?form_action=video_detail&video_id=58&off s et=48 EDIT: You'll have to copy and paste that link. Clicking it doesn't work (at least on my comp) because of the https:// format. (Message edited by surfreak on April 15, 2007)

04-15-2007, 11:05 AM	#6
Steve Newton Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Selkirk NY Posts: 18	Skylar, The campus board looks like it would be an awesome workout. I'll have to build one in the near future. Roger, Have you seen the completely revamped course since Nagano beat it last year? The Cliff Hanger is even more brutal. You can watch Stage 3 here (safe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-7KeA8-6E

04-15-2007, 04:20 PM	#7
Roger Smith Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 388	Steve, WOW...That is insane. I'd love to try though (with a couple bands at least assistance LOL)

04-15-2007, 05:12 PM	#8
Dennis Barrett Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: bogue chitto ms Posts: 158	What was the name of that contraption that Matthew Modine climbed in the movie Vision Quest? It looked like a giant cribbage board bolted to the wall and he had two dowels in his hands.

04-15-2007, 05:46 PM	#9
David Sailor Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Londonderry NH Posts: 485	Dennis, Didn't see the movie but what you described sounds like this: http://www.schoolmasters.com/fitness15.html WFS to Wolverine sports, a pegboard climber.

04-16-2007, 07:39 AM	#10
Garrett Smith Member Profile: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,264	Dennis, Thanks for asking that question, you totally reminded me of another low-cost piece of climbing-strength equipment for my gym--seriously, a piece of wood with drilled holes and some dowels doesn't get much cheaper! Right now, for my potential gym, I'm looking at building a Moon board (w/f safe https://www.moonclimbing.com/index.php?form_action=school&school_id=4, basically a smaller, totally changeable climbing wall), a finger board, maybe a campus board, and definitely a peg board. That's to go with the climbing rope and the rings. With all that stuff, if I start looking or sounding like a monkey, someone please tell me!