First let me recommend out of the packaging drop a pin of oil on the spring and you're ready to roll.

Ok that's out of the way, I own a few different COC products and this being the classics is my favorite. They are built well and honestly I love the knurling some (ok most) will disagree with this but without it you don't have a solid grip and can't get proper torque. I bought the trainer back when I was in high school and like I said all you need is a drop of oil on the spring. I keep that trainer in my car and recently decided it's time to buy the leve 1 and step it up and man oh man this is an awesome example of a product that got it right and didn't change a thing. So honestly I think it's worth every penny. If you're tryong to justify the cost I just have this to say, name one other company that has been around as long or is as recognized with hand grippers

Before buying these (CoC #1), I always felt that my grip was weak. In fact, I couldn't even close these the first week I bought them. After combining reps with these and some forearm workouts, I am now able to close the crushers and get a full set. Not to mention how much easier DL's are now.

To give an idea, before I started using the #1s, my max working set for DeadLift was 225lb, sometimes 235lb. After that, my grip would fail me, and I would only be able to do one rep or more. Now, my DeadLift is starting to shoot up with my max working set at 255lb. ~4 week difference, and previously I had been at 225lb for 4+ weeks due to grip.

I first heard about Captains of Crush grippers when I heard Pavel Tsatsouline talk about them in a podcast. I was intrigued, so I purchased a number 1. This product is awesome and will definitely strengthen your grip and forearm muscles. Don't buy a cheap hand gripper you can get at a place like Target; instead, definitely get the real deal, Captains of Crush.

Grip strength is crucial for exercises like pullups, anything that involves hanging from a bar, farmers walks, etc. If you want to strengthen your forearms for a sport like baseball, use this gripper. I bring my gripper to work and will use it every so often when I have some time. Tsatsouline recommended "Greasing the Groove" with this gripper by using it frequently throughout the day, and that is how I try to use it. I challenge my students sometimes to close it, and everyone loves to try but few can come close.

Become a stronger person. Have a stronger grip. Get Captains of Crush.

I have used the coc grippers for years and they are the best by far of any product out there. I see other reviewers complain there should be instructions ; if one would take the time to read the back of the package a training regimen is simply and elegantly explained - low reps and high effort. If one wants more there are 4 ! instructional booklets described on the same package for purchase [through Amazon if you wish ] and 5 websites for training info . As to what size /strength to get ? You cant go wrong ! Too easy and it becomes your warm up gripper to prevent injury. Too hard it becomes your goal! Plus the low rep high effort in closing the higher end which for my old office puke I mean business professional hands are the 2.5 and number 3 ; it can be a whole body effort if you keep an erect skeletal form in which you can recruit forearm arm and shoulder then core and legs combined with breathing techniques to close the gripper . If you have to adopt a "thinker "pose or be tempted to use anything as a crutch to close the gripper - back down and train with a lower number. I recommend as does the company post workout massage of your hands and fingers to keep the muscles supple. In my old man opinion true strength includes softness and control. You can use these grippers to have the power to crush or to shake hands with a toddler or woman with a gentleness that they feel no discomfort. Lastly properly used they last for years I have several at least 5 or more years old. With low reps and higher strengths you will wear out before they do ! Happy training!

I have been doing forearm exercises with my dominant hand since I was 12. During my 20s, my grip started to weaken, but since I have been married my dominant hand is once again at full strength...or so I thought. I bought three of these grippers to try the different strengths and because my left hand is significantly weaker than my right - Guide, Trainer, and No 2. I was surprised that I couldn't even close the No 2 with my right hand one single time. I could come pretty close, but not get the tips to touch. I let a couple of other pretty big guys try it at work and no one was able to close the No 2 completely. I can close the Trainer with my right hand about five reps no problem. I can't close the Trainer with my left hand. The Guide will be good for me to build up strength in my left hand. I've attached images of each of these grippers so you can see the size of my hand and maybe help you decide which strength to get. These things are super sturdy. A couple of them squeaked slightly, but a little WD40 took care of that problem. The feel of it is similar to a weight bar at the gym, maybe not even that rough. I've read several reviews about people saying that these shredded their hands. I don't see how this is possible because my hands aren't really calloused, and I've been using them for a few days no problem. You would have to have some seriously creamy lotioney hands for this to shred your skin. If you do have some baby smooth hands and want to keep them that way just wear gloves. That's what people do for the bars at the gym. Overall, this is a great product. I'm looking forward to being able to close the No 2.

6 Month Update:
These things have held up very well. I haven't had to reapply any WD40 as they are still quiet from the first application. I use the Trainer and the Guide the most so I can do more reps. However, the No 2 has been the most fun. I keep it on my desk at work so people will pick it up. I love seeing the look on their face when they realize how hard it is. I have gotten to where I can close the No 2 now, but it is tough. I strained my hand one day trying to show off by snapping it shut without warming up. Overall great products. Would buy again if I had to over.