IronMind Two-Way Captains of Crush Grip Strengthener Set: CoC No. 1 Gripper and Expand-Your-Hand Bands Review (2026)

What this two way set trains

IronMind's Two-Way set pairs a Captains of Crush No. 1 hand gripper with a set of Expand-Your-Hand Bands, combining two opposite movements in one package. The gripper trains crushing strength, the closing force used in pinches, slopers and general hand fatigue resistance on the wall, while the bands train the finger and wrist extensor muscles on the back of the hand and forearm, movements a crushing gripper never touches. IronMind and other grip trainers commonly recommend pairing the two so climbers do not build crushing strength while leaving the opposing extensor muscles weak, a common source of overuse strain in hands that only ever squeeze.

Gripper resistance and build quality

The Captains of Crush No. 1 is rated at approximately 140 pounds of closing resistance, built with knurled aircraft grade aluminum handles and IronMind's own GR8 springs, which the company designs specifically for consistent, accurate resistance across its gripper lineup rather than sourcing generic springs. IronMind's Captains of Crush line runs from lighter Guide and Trainer models up through much heavier numbered grippers, and the No. 1 sits toward the firmer end of that range, aimed at climbers and grip athletes who already have some crushing strength built up rather than someone picking up a gripper for the first time. The gripper is designed and manufactured in the United States.

Using the Expand-Your-Hand bands

The Expand-Your-Hand Bands included in this set come as a 10 piece set, two bands across five resistance levels, made from a latex-free rubber chosen for stretch and long term durability rather than breaking down after repeated use. Climbers typically use them for a quick warm up before a session, opening and closing the fingers against the band's resistance to get blood flowing and activate the extensor muscles, or as a cool down and light rehab tool after a hard bouldering or campus session. Because they are small and light, a band is easy to keep in a chalk bag, car or gym bag for a quick set between climbs.

Balancing crush strength with extensor training

The core value of buying these two tools together rather than separately is the pairing itself, since most climbers who train grip strength focus heavily on crushing and pulling movements and rarely give the opposing extensor muscles any dedicated work. Compared with buying a gripper alone, adding the bands costs relatively little and addresses a genuine gap in most home training setups, and compared with simpler rubber hand exercisers sold as all in one grip trainers, a real Captains of Crush gripper offers a more precise and repeatable resistance rating that grip athletes use to track progress over time.

Who should buy the No. 1 two way set

This set suits climbers and grip athletes who already have a base level of crushing strength and are ready to progress past a beginner gripper, and who want to add balanced extensor training rather than only working the crushing side of the hand. Newer climbers or anyone just starting grip specific training will likely find the No. 1's roughly 140 pound resistance too firm to close cleanly and should look at IronMind's lighter Guide or Trainer models instead. Given our score of 8.6 out of 10, this set is a smart, well rounded pick for intermediate to advanced climbers building a home grip training routine.

Frequently asked questions