Captains of Crush Grippers
Captains of Crush Grippers (commonly nicknamed "CoC") is a brand of torsion-spring grippers (a torsion spring fitted with two handles) designed, manufactured and sold by IronMind Enterprises, Inc., based in Nevada City, California.
Through IronMind's certification program for people who have officially closed any of the three toughest models (No.
4), Captains of Crush Grippers have become an internationally recognized measure of world class grip strength.
[3] Torsion-spring grippers date back at least as far as the beginning of the 20th century, and are used for both testing and building grip strength.
Historically, torsion-spring grippers were not considered serious training tools because, among other things, they were not very difficult to close.
[7] The Iron Man ad billed the grippers as the "world's strongest grip[pers] of this type.
IronMind sought to refine these nutcracker-style grippers, first by improving their consistency and standardizing their features.
The company introduced its grippers in the summer of 1990 in three different strengths (#1, #2 and #3) and with standardized features such as knurled handles.
[11] In subsequent models, IronMind continued improving the accuracy, durability and appearance of the grippers.
[12] At the end of 1990, IronMind introduced the "Silver Crush Gripper", which had chrome-plated handles and springs, a uniform knurling pattern, and the same three models of increasing difficulty as the first group: the No.
Leading grip-strength figures as Richard Sorin and John Brookfield were early users.
The new design also featured a clear band at the midpoint of each handle, an element of trade dress for IronMind's grippers ever since.
[23] Ironically, while IronMind introduced the idea of gripper calibration and discussed its limitations, Captains of Crush Grippers—especially the No.
IronMind has also pointed out that even under the best circumstances such numbers can be misleading and are easily abused, and stresses that all gripper poundage ratings—including its own—should be taken with a grain of salt.
In 1991, IronMind created a certification program to recognize people who closed the Captains of Crush No.
[38] In 2008 IronMind was criticized for changing the rules on how it certifies people who have closed its Captains of Crush No.
[39] The company decided the official starting position for any attempt must be demonstrated by fitting the short side of a credit card between the handles of the gripper before it is closed.
In response IronMind explained the requirements for certification were changed because some competitors had begun using questionable techniques to close their grippers.
"The first teenage Captain of Crush"[41] went on to become a popular professional strongman competitor, but died on July 25, 2007, from a genetic heart defect.
In Marunde's memory, IronMind has pledged to donate $500 to the educational trust fund set up for his children every time a teenager is certified on the Captains of Crush No.
[29] IronMind also donates all the proceeds from CD sales of Trevor Laing's "Captains of Crush Song" to Doctors Without Borders.
