First things first - throw out the props. That means limit your use of lifting straps or hooks. For specific grip work, try these bad boys:

If you have never felt soreness in the muscles of your hands and fingers then you haven't tried towel chins. All you need is a towel, and a chin-up bar. Now without tying any kind of knot in the towl, throw it over the bar. Wad up each side into your hands and hang on tight. Now perform as many chin-ups as you can. After a few sets, when you can no longer pull yourself up, just grab the towel and hang off of it. You can also do this with pull downs.

Plate Pinches

Grip strength isn't all about crushing power. It is also about finger power, or what some call "pinching" power. To improve finger strength, try doing plate pinches. Grab a pair of ten pound plates and place them together, smooth sides out. Hold them with your fingertips and keep them pinched together. That's probably easy, so now move up to 25's. Keep track of how long you can hold them and each time you try it, see if you can squeeze out a few extra seconds.

Power Hold

The best way to do this in in a power rack. Set a barbell up at just above your knees. Load it up heavy and pull it off the pins. Now here's the tricky part, so pay attention: Stand there with it as long as you can. And then, um, put it down. Then do it again. That's it. Use an overhand grip, not a mixed grip (palms facing different directions), and keep your hands outside of your legs. Again, have your partner time you and try to best your time each session. If you have dumbbells in your gym that are heavy enough, you can use them as well.

Hanging Around

Jump up to a chinning bar and hang there until you fall off. If you can hang over a minute, add weight using a dipping belt or by holding a dumbbell between your ankles. If you are a real stud, hand with only one arm.

Adding Grip Work into the Training Plan

How do you incorporate specific grip work into your training? The easiest method is to choose one the exercises above and use it at the end of each workout. But not everyday. It is just too brutal - and it would constitute over training.

Give this workout a try! You will be glad to did!