💪 Why Grip Strength Is the “Cheat Code” for Longevity

PLUS: Strong Hands = Strong Body

AuthorAuthor

Michael Pender & Ryan Engel
September 08, 2025

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TODAY’S LEVEL UP:

  • Coach’s Corner: Why Grip Strength Is the “Cheat Code” for Longevity

  • Momentum Builder: Strong hands = strong body

  • Question from Our Readers: Should I add direct forearm and grip training to my workouts?

  • Fit Trivia (80s/90s Blockbusters): Which 80s action star tore a phone book in half on screen, cementing his reputation as one of the strongest men in Hollywood?

Why Grip Strength Is the “Cheat Code” for Longevity

When guys think of strength, they think of bench press, squats, or biceps.

But the truth is:

Grip strength predicts more about your long-term health than almost any other marker.

Here’s why:

  • Strong grip = strong nervous system response

  • It’s linked to lower risk of injury, better posture, and joint health

  • Studies show that grip strength is correlated with a longer lifespan

  • Practically, it carries over into everything—deadlifts, rows, carries, pull-ups, and even daily tasks

If your grip is weak, your training is capped. If your grip is strong, everything gets better.

FROM RYAN’S DESK

Comfort won’t carve muscle or character. Struggle will. Every rep that burns, every craving you resist, every late night you push through—those are the bricks that build the man you want to be. Lean into the hard. That’s where strength is forged.

Momentum Builder:

Strong Hands = Strong Body

Add these 2–3x per week:

  • Farmer’s carries (dumbbells, trap bar, even grocery bags)

  • Dead hangs from a pull-up bar (work up to 30–60 seconds)

  • Plate pinches or towel-grip pull-ups for variety

This isn’t “extra fluff.” It’s the foundation of real-world strength.

Question from Our Readers:

“Should I add direct forearm and grip training to my workouts?”

– Will, 54, from Pittsburgh

Yes—but keep it simple.

  • Add 1–2 grip-focused finishers at the end of workouts (farmer’s carries are king)

  • Rotate variations weekly to avoid overuse

  • Let your grip grow with your lifts instead of isolating it every day

Think of grip like your core—it supports everything, so training it pays dividends everywhere.

Fit Trivia (80s/90s Blockbusters): Which 80s action star tore a phone book in half on screen, cementing his reputation as one of the strongest men in Hollywood?

Answer: Sylvester Stallone in Over the Top (1987)! The arm-wrestling cult classic wasn’t just about grit—it showcased raw hand and forearm power, making Stallone the poster boy for grip strength long before farmer’s carries hit the mainstream.

Ryan Engel, Intl. Fat Loss Coach

Ryan is a leading fitness coach and one of the most known professionals in the space.

He specializes in Body Recomposition and visual body aesthetics and has reached millions worldwide with his powerful messaging. He brings a unique, non-nonsense, yet sophisticated approach to body change.

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

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