The 2" pinch block is the benchmark implement in grip sport. Every serious pincher owns one and knows their two-hand pinch to the pound. The Country Crush Pinch Blocks give you that benchmark plus two specialist widths: 1.5" for advanced thumb-tip work, 3" for wide-hand and rotator training. Formed steel with 6" square gripping faces, a welded tab for any loading pin, and a textured black powder coat that holds chalk. Made in the USA.
Why Metal, Not Wood
Wood pinch blocks work for casual training but wear at the thumb contact point. You develop a "broken-in" sweet spot that inflates your numbers and doesn't transfer to comp implements. Metal blocks stay dimensionally exact for years. If you compete or track progress, buy metal.
Which Width Do I Buy First?
Buy the 2" first. It's the benchmark width in grip sport, matches the most-tested standards, and gives you the clearest read on your pinch strength relative to other lifters. The 1.5" is a specialist tool for advanced thumb-tip work; the 3" is a wide-hand specialist. Start with 2", train it hard, add widths later.
How to Use
- Clip a carabiner through the tab, connect a loading pin, and add plates. Our Country Crush Loading Pins are the standard pairing.
- Chalk up. Set your thumb on one face and fingers on the other with the block centered in your hand.
- Lift to full lockout and hold for a one-count, then lower under control.
- For two-hand pinch, set two blocks face to face, thread a loading pin between them, and lift.
Mix max singles, timed holds, and moderate-rep sets across the week. Ten to fifteen minutes twice a week produces measurable gains within a month.
What's Included
- One Country Crush Pinch Block in your chosen width: 1.5", 2", or 3"
- 6" x 6" gripping faces, formed from 1/8" steel plate
- Welded lifting tab with 0.69" hole; fits standard and swivel carabiners
- Textured black powder coat that holds chalk and protects the steel
- Loading pin, carabiner, and plates sold separately
FAQ
What's a good pinch number for my level?
On a 2" block, rough per-hand benchmarks are: 45 lb (novice), 80 lb (intermediate), 135 lb (advanced), and 200+ lb (competitive grip sport). Bodyweight, hand size, and skin condition all move the numbers, so treat them as directional, not absolute.
Are Country Crush Pinch Blocks legal for competition?
The 2" block matches the standard competition width used across grip sport federations. The 1.5" and 3" widths are training tools rather than comp lifts, though some events include off-standard widths. Always verify the specific rulebook for the meet you're entering.
Why has my pinch training stalled?
Pinch stalls usually come from four causes: no skin management (chalk, dry hands), no width variety, no rep-range variety (only max singles), or no antagonist work. Add extensor training with the GripSaver Plus, rotate widths weekly, and program timed holds alongside max attempts. Progress usually restarts within three weeks.
What's the difference between pinch blocks and a hub trainer?
A pinch block has two flat parallel faces: thumb on one side, fingers on the other. A hub trainer has a single face gripped by thumb and fingers on the same surface. Blocks isolate flat-face thumb pressure; hubs demand curved-face pinch. Serious grip athletes train both. See the IronMind Hub.
Does pinch grip training carry over to climbing, BJJ, or arm wrestling?
Yes. Pinch training builds thumb pressure and open-hand strength that transfers directly to climbing pinches, BJJ gi grips, and arm wrestling table pressure. Climbers benefit most from 1.5" and 2" widths; BJJ and arm wrestlers benefit most from 2" and 3".
Will the block's finish wear off?
The textured powder coat is built for chalk and heavy use. It won't peel or flake, but the thumb contact point will slowly polish over years of hard training. That's normal and doesn't affect grip.
