The Babyeye – Grip Training
On December 18, 2020 by nigel@apeindex.rocksThe Babyeye is a free hanging, versatile and ergonomic device to train your whole hanging and gripping system from absolute beginner to superstar.
If you haven’t yet managed your first pullup or you’re a seasoned veteran, an obstacle racer or a climber who wants a lightweight training device, the Babyeye is designed for you.
Its curved surfaces provide more natural shapes for your hand and fingers to hold as you train shoulder, arm and finger strength across all planes of motion while also gaining core benefits too.
Getting Started
First you need to find somewhere to suspend your Babyeye. It could be a tree or a bannister rail or a hook fixed into a ceiling or wall beam. Please make sure that the area behind you is free from obstruction in case you do let go!
Then you need to find a position which will be safe for you to lean back without falling over and allow you to pull yourself upright. Then you’ll do some hangs with your feet still on the ground to work on your strength and shoulder flexibility.
That’s all you need to get going. You are exercising your core by holding your body in a straight line and you’re strengthening your shoulder, arm and grip in a safe manner using only the top hold.
Warning
Do not ever use the Babyeye upside down! If your fingers are in the hole and your hand is over the logo, it is possible to end up with your fingers where they don’t want to be.
In addition, if you are used to climbing training holds, the Babyeye is a low friction device. You must train using strength alone rather than relying on the friction of your skin against a rough surface to hold you up.
Intermediate
After you’ve got used to exercising using the top curve, it’s time to start adding in some other exercises. It is best to get used to these exercises one at a time – don’t add them all in together. You can train by constant slow pulling and releasing, or by hanging. For pulling and releasing, try and do 5 repetitions then rest, do another 5 and rest, and finish off with the last 5 for 3 sets of 5 pulls. If you have an exercise where you can’t pull, try hanging for 5 seconds, resting for 5 seconds 6 times in a row for a total of 1 minute. Rest for 2 minutes or longer then repeat, again for 3 sets of 6 hangs. If you can do more than 6, move your feet closer to the hang point.
Wrist curl
Roll your wrist by pushing your knuckles forward and pushing in with your fingers while gripping the top curve, then slowly release. Repeat 5 times. A great exercise for OCR racers trying to master the gibbons or win £100 by hanging on a roly bar at the funfair.
Long pinch / open hand
Using the top edge, hang and return. Clamping your thumb on the opposite side is safer as it will lock your fingers in and will also train your pinch grip.
Remember to turn your arm a little each time you pull. It will give you more functional strength and also prime your shoulders when you start loading them up on awkward moves.
Advanced
By the time you get here, you’ll know what training protocols (sets, reps, static or dynamic) suit you best so heave away. If it’s too easy, move your feet forward past the hang point or even elevate them off the floor. If you can hang free on the Babyeye, you’re a superstar already.
Small pinch
Use the middle edge for a more challenging crimp, open hand or pinch grip.
Crimp
Use the bottom edge and crimp hard!
Two finger / mono pocket
Hang the pocket with one or two fingers. Do not hang with the device upside down where your hand is covering the logo! (see warning above).
Gaston
Lean forward on the Babyeye and push down.
Side pull
Rotate until your palm is facing your nose.
Undercut
Go another 90 degrees until your palm faces up.
Comparison with other training methods
| Feature | Babyeye | Fingerboard | Rock ring | Gym ring |
| Weight | 100g | 2kg+ | 750g | 3-400g* |
| Pinch grip | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Free hanging | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi plane | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Many holds | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
For sale on Etsy, Ebay, at Ape Index and right here! Buy one each for your loved ones and turn them into crushers! Only £14.99, a bargain!
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