I've had the pleasure of using the Gripzilla Tornado for the past couple of months. It truly is a one-of-a-kind grip training device.
You're likely here because you saw how much more expensive it is than other grip training equipment. Does the Gripzilla Tornado warrant the price?
Pros
Cons
Construction
Knurling
Ease Of Use
Versatility
Gripzilla Tornado
Table of Contents
Gripzilla Tornado Review
Unboxing
Gripzilla has made a unique unboxing experience with their Tornado. The custom packaging is a soft fabric covering the box with "make hands strong again" inscribed on it.
It means it's not some cheap Chinese knockoff directly drop shipped from overseas.
It comes disassembled, so the two handles and middle connector are in separate compartments. But putting this together is straightforward.
Assembly
Assembling the Gripzilla Tornado is simple when following their step by step. A YouTube instructional video takes you through exactly how to do it. It took me around two minutes and was functional and ready to use.
You also have friction pucks, which provide resistance when using the Tornado. However, these wear out with use and will need to be replaced as they wear.
Gripzilla recommends placing the fabric side against the ball, which I’ve done. Slightly unscrew the device after each use to prolong the friction pucks life.
Material/Durability
The Gripzilla Tornado is heavy-duty. It's made from steel and weighs approximately 3 pounds, making it highly durable. It feels solid in your hands and has non-aggressive knurling on the handles.
If you're familiar with grip equipment, it's much less aggressive than IronMind Captain's of Crush hand gripper knurling. But it provides enough grip not to slip when performing various movements.
Ease Of Use
I wouldn't say this is difficult to use. But compared to other grip training devices, it definitely has more of a learning curve.
Most group training equipment involves a simple opening and closing of the hands, whereas the Gripzilla Tornado involves less natural movements of the forearms.
However, once you get used to the movements and practice them, like all exercises, it becomes relatively easy to use. Especially since once it's put together, you don't need to take it apart or do any initial setup.
Design
This is the most unique grip training device design I have seen on the market. Typically, you get hand grippers to train crushing strength or very specialized implements.
To train your support or crushing strength while holding a load or your body weight means other grip equipment can often rely on using an external load, therefore requiring more equipment.
The Gripzilla Tornado is an all-in-one design. You don't need anything else to hammer your hands and forearm strength.
Exercise Versatility
One limitation with other grip equipment, like hand grippers or specialized grip equipment, is you can only perform one or a few exercises for your grip. With the Gripzilla Tornado, you have multiple options for grip exercises.
For example, you can perform forward or backward bicycle motions. Or you can turn it vertically like you are mixing a bowl for baking.
The forearm and hand pump are on another level compared to other grip training exercises.
The wrist roller would be a comparable alternative. However, the feeling and forearm pump compared to the Gripzilla is night and day, favoring the Tornado. Plus, there's no awkward setup with bands, bars, and weights.
Price
This is not your average grip equipment on Amazon. It is a premium grip training device, and the price reflects that being $250.
But you can often find it on special. And they also provide a 10% discount when you sign up for that email newsletter on the website pop-up.
This includes a 14-day money-back guarantee, so if you don’t like it, you can send it back for a refund.
It also comes with warranty. The warranty period isn't stated, but Gripzilla states, “We stand behind the quality of our product and offer warranty coverage to provide peace of mind to our customers. The team will offer a solution.”
Who Is The Gripzilla Tornado For?
Grip-Intensive Sporting Athletes
I fall into this category. As a combat athlete, grip strength is essential for overall performance.
I do many grip exercises with other equipment, such as hand grippers, towel pull-ups, and even thick implements.
The Gripzilla Tornado gives you more exercise variety and allows you to target your forearms and hands in different ways. The other equipment doesn't let you perform these unique movements.
Those With Injured Hands Or Forearms
This would likely be better for middle or end-stage rehab for strengthening the hands and forearms after an injury.
Because the resistance is much stronger than other low-level grip devices, ease into it so you don't reinjure yourself.
Grip Training Enthusiasts
A whole subculture of grip training enthusiasts prioritizes their strength training to develop grip over other body parts.
Even if you're not in the subculture but enjoy training grip, the Gripzilla Tornado is a training device you must have in your equipment arsenal.
It replaces clunky wrist roller setups and adds variety to your training.
My Experience With The Gripzilla Tornado
It took me 2 minutes to put this together from the easy-to-follow YouTube video, and after using it, even just for a short 5 to 10-second burst, my hands and forearms were burning.
I like you don’t need any setup time and can just pick it up and use it. It reduces the friction of using the tool.
Other equipment that requires loading plates or tying bands onto weights means I’m less likely to do the exercise.
My favorite exercise with the Tornado so far is the forward and backward bicycle and turning it vertically with the same movement.
I can also modify how I perform the bicycle to get more movement of the wrists to hammer the forearms instead of keeping them locked and working more of the upper arm and shoulder.
Gripzilla Tornado Drawbacks
There are a few drawbacks to the Gripzilla Tornado. One is the friction pucks must be replaced as they wear, which means you must replace parts if you’re a heavy user.
Another is the limitations of all grip equipment. You can only train a couple of grip movements, not the entire spectrum. Now, all grip training devices have this issue.
For example, hand grippers only allow you to train crushing grip. Sandbags will enable you to train support and monkey grips. But neither of these allows you to train other types of grip.
The Gripzilla Tornado mainly challenges support grip and targets your forearms more than other grip equipment.
In my experience, it is an excellent tool for building hand and forearm endurance because you can do long sets of continuous movements.
User Reviews And Testimonials
The Gripzilla Tornado has an average 4.8/5 star rating from 56 reviews. Here's a sample of the 5-star reviews:
“This device is giving me the best forearm workout I've ever experienced. It definetly delivers on what it claims it can do. Get yours today!” - James Brown.
“Top device, no complaints. Especially now with the release of new friction pads. I think it's working even smoother that with the original ones” - Louis C.
Here is a sample of the negative reviews.
“It’s a good LOOKING piece of equipment. I would have given it a higher rating if it had come with instructions and some kind of a manual. It is very crude and difficult to adjust. I can’t seem to adjust it to where its resistance can be made more difficult.” - Jesse Torres.
Gripzilla Alternatives
IronMind Captains of Crush Grippers
These grippers are the gold standard regarding hand grippers. Hardcore grip training enthusiasts and grip athletes use them. It's one of the hardest grippers to close, and they have a range of resistance.
They have easy training resistance through to levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Not many people have closed the number 4 gripper, showing these are for serious grip athletes.
There are also half sizes in between to help make the progression easier. Hand grippers specifically train crushing grip strength. So, these offer different types of grip training for the Gripzilla Tornado.
Fat Gripz
Fat Gripz has been my favorite grip tool for over a decade. Mine are the original design that doesn't have the knurling, so I'm due for a new pair.
I’ll use them on pretty much any upper body exercise to make it more challenging, especially pressing exercises or deadlifts when targeting my grip.
Fat Gripz turns regular barbells or dumbbells into a 2" thick bar, making any exercise harder on your hands and fingers.
They train support grip strength similar to the Tornado without wrist movement.
Frequently Asked Gripzilla Tornado Questions
Is The Gripzilla Tornado Worth It?
If you're a grip training enthusiast or compete in a grip-intensive sport, the Gripzilla Tornado is worth it, in my opinion.
You can't replicate the movements on any other grip training device, but you can build tremendous hand and forearm strength and endurance.
Does The Gripzilla Tornado Actually Work?
The Gripzilla Tornado works and builds hand, grip, and forearm strength and endurance. You can also target your upper arms and shoulders by locking your wrists and varying the position.
Summary
If you're searching for your next grip training device, the Gripzilla Tornado may be it.
The unique movements it provides mean you can't replicate it with any other equipment. For hand and forearm endurance, you won't find much better.
Gripzilla Tornado