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The Babyeye – Grip Training

On December 18, 2020 by nigel@apeindex.rocks

The 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

FeatureBabyeyeFingerboardRock ringGym ring
Weight100g2kg+750g3-400g*
Pinch grip✔✔✘✘
Free hanging✔✘✔✔
Multi plane✔✘✔✔
Many holds✔✔✘✘
* plastic 400g, wood 300g, weights are for single items.

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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