Captains of Crush Grippers

Captains of Crush (CoC) grippers are torsion-spring hand grippers made by IronMind Enterprises of Nevada City, California. They are the most widely recognised gripper line in grip sport. IronMind's certification on the harder levels, which it has run since 1991, is the sport's best-known record of crushing grip strength. The line runs from light grippers meant for general hand training to the No. 4, which six people have certified on.

The levels

IronMind gives each gripper a nominal rating in pounds. The rating is a target for the model, not a measurement of any single unit. Two grippers of the same level can differ noticeably, which is why independent services such as Cannon PowerWorks rate individual grippers (see Gripper Ratings).

The line grew in stages. IronMind's own timeline puts the first catalogue with Captains of Crush grippers in 1991, when the No. 3 was the hardest gripper it made. The Trainer was added in 1992 and the No. 4 in 1994. The half levels No. 1.5, No. 2.5 and No. 3.5 arrived in 2006, and the Point Five, between the Trainer and No. 1, in 2012.

Certification

IronMind certifies closes on the No. 3, No. 3.5 and No. 4 for everyone, and on the No. 2 and No. 2.5 for women. A certified close is made under IronMind's Rules for Closing and Certification, and the lifter's name is added to IronMind's published list. Today a lifter contacts IronMind, confirms they understand the rules, completes a pre-certification questionnaire and submits a video of the close. A panel of referees reviews the video in place of a live referee and makes the final decision.

The best-known rule is the credit card set. The gripper may not start from a position narrower than the width of a credit or ATM card, measured on the card's narrow side, a little over 2 inches (5 cm). The lifter slides the card between the handle ends before the referee's start signal. The rule replaced an earlier one-inch rule, which IronMind dropped because judging was inconsistent. IronMind has stated that the gripper does not have to be crushed down to card width first, and that the lifter, not the judge, shows the card.

Who has certified

No. 3. Richard Sorin was the first certified closer, in 1991, followed by John Brookfield in 1992. The list now holds more than 300 names from around the world, including gripper maker Robert Baraban (1997), British lifters David Horne and Steve Gardener (2001) and Jedd Johnson (2003). See also John Brookfield.

No. 3.5. "Tex" Henderson heads the list, in 2008. Carl Myerscough is the only lifter certified on the No. 3, 3.5 and 4.

No. 4. Joe Kinney was the first, in 1998. Only six people have certified on it.

Women. Adriane Blewitt became the first woman certified on the No. 2 in 2011. IronMind opened the No. 2.5 to women in 2013 and lists no one on it yet.

The complete lists follow. Each name is as IronMind publishes it, with the country in brackets.

IronMind's official lists, by year of certification, as of 2026-10-25.

Choosing a level

The lighter levels (Guide, Sport, Trainer, Point Five) suit general hand training and learning to set a gripper; the numbered levels are where dedicated crushing work begins. Because units vary, a lifter chasing a specific level often trains on a rated gripper so the number reflects that unit. For training methods, see Crushing Grip: How to Train It. For how CoC grippers compare with other brands, see Hand Grippers: Types, Brands and What to Buy.

See also

• Hand Grippers: Types, Brands and What to Buy
• Gripper Ratings
• Grip Certifications
• IronMind
• Crushing Grip: How to Train It
• A–Z of grip tools

Heavy gripper work, and negatives especially, strains the finger flexor tendons. Build up gradually and stop when you feel pain. See safety.

Sources

• IronMind, Captains of Crush certification, who's new: https://ironmind.com/certification/captains-of-crush/whos-new-captains-of-crush
• IronMind, No. 3 certified list: https://www.ironmind.com/certification/captains-of-crush/whos-who-no.-3-coc
• IronMind, Captains of Crush ratings: https://ironmind.com/product-info/ironmind-grippers/captains-of-crush-grippers/
• IronMind, company timeline: https://ironmind.com/main/ironmind-enterprises-highlights-timeline
• IronMind, No. 3.5 certified list: https://www.ironmind.com/product-info/certification/captains-of-crush/whos-who-no.-3.5-coc/
• IronMind, No. 4 certified list: https://www.ironmind.com/certification/captains-of-crush/whos-who-no.-4-coc
• IronMind, women's No. 2 and No. 2.5 lists: https://www.ironmind.com/product-info/certification/captains-of-crush/whos-who-no.-2-coc-women/
• IronMind News, the credit card rule: https://ironmind.com/news/Certification-on-Captains-of-Crush-Grippers-Credit-Card-Sets-Old-Rules-and-New-Rules/