Gripzilla Tornado Review

The Gripzilla Tornado is a unique grip and forearm strengthener that combines resistance with 3 dimensional movements.

This is different and more applicable to real life activities than other grip trainers and rollers that work in one plane of motion.

And with adjustable resistance, I can continue to challenge myself as my forearms get stronger.

Let’s check it out!

Unboxing

The Tornado came in a package with all its parts well protected and with no room to shift around.

These are the metal parts: (2) handles and (1) center piece.

I like that most of the Tornado is made of steel cause that makes it durable.

Not a big fan of the gold colored handles though, I’d prefer if it was all chrome.

These round pads go inside the Tornado to create friction against the head of the handle (I’ll show you more details soon).

This is what creates resistance when I turn the handle in different directions.

What Is The Gripzilla Tornado?

The Gripzilla Tornado is a grip and forearm strengthener that uses friction as resistance.

It uses ball and socket joints so the handles can move in all planes of motion to strengthen grip muscles from all angles.

Specs

• Total length: 16.5″ long (at maximum tension)

• Handle diameter: 30mm

• Handle length: 4 3/4″

• Knurling: Passive

• Resistance: Created by circular friction pads

Gripzilla Tornado Assembly

I’ll show you how easy it is to assemble the Tornado or watch the video above for step by step instructions.

Step 1

Insert a friction pad into the handle cylinder with the grey/black side facing the ball joint.

The ball rubbing against the friction pad is what creates resistance anytime I move the handle.

Step 2

Cover the friction pads with the metal disc.

Step 3

Screw each handle to the center piece.

And that’s it!

How To Use The Gripzilla Tornado

Using the Tornado can be confusing but I’ll make it easy for you to understand.

There’s two inner nuts (on the center piece) and two outer nuts (on the handle cylinders).

By turning the outer nuts, I bring the handles closer to the center piece (this increases resistance).

The inner nuts control how far towards the center the handles can go.

So if I don’t move the inner nuts and keep turning the outer nuts all the way until I can’t see any more thread, I’ll have max resistance.

If I turn the inner rings outward towards the handles, I’ll prevent the outer nuts from moving towards the center piece.

This will make the resistance lighter (threads will be visible on the center piece).

It’s not hard to figure out but I have to eyeball the resistance on both sides since there is no accurate way to measure.

Top Benefits Of The Gripzilla Tornado

Trains Muscles In 3 Dimensions

Because the handles are on a ball and socket joint, I can train my forearm muscles in all directions.

I can grab the Tornado vertically and move my wrists around in all planes of motion…

Or I can grab the Tornado horizontally and move my arms like in a bicycle pedaling motion to get a different stimulus.

This works my muscles in a way where it simulates real life activities where I use our arms in all directions.

Progressive Overload

Because the resistance is adjustable, I can increase the resistance over time so I can keep challenging my muscles.

Best Features Of the Gripzilla Tornado

Ball Socket Joints

The ball and socket joint allows me to have resistance from different angles and planes of motion.

This is different from other grip and forearm strengtheners that only move in one plane.

Adjustable Resistance

The adjustable resistance gives the Tornado a broad user demographic.

I can see the lighter setting being used in a rehab setting…

And the higher resistance for people who are more into weight training, grip training, and sports.

Knurled Handles

Although the knurling on the handles is passive, I do like that it provides better grip to prevent slipping.

Gripzilla Tornado Exercises

The video above shows a variety of exercises that can be done with the Tornado.

Gripzilla Tornado Alternatives

Gripzilla Dynamo

The Gripzilla Dynamo is a single plane grip and forearm strengthener that’s also adjustable.

Right in the middle there’s a couple of tension knobs to increase/decrease the tension.

Although it gets the job done, it only works the forearm flexors and extensors (can’t turn my wrists like the Tornado).

The Strong Arm

The Strong Arm is a plate loaded forearm strengthener that can be used with one or two arms.

When I use two arms at the same time it works in one plane of motion.

But if I go one arm at a time, I can move my wrist around in all planes of motion like with the Tornado.

ATG Wrist Bar

The ATG Wrist Bar is a single arm, plate loaded wrist and forearm strengthener that’s built with a thick handle.

Lifting with a thick grip automatically forces your forearm and grip muscles to work harder.

Like the Tornado, I can use this one to turn my wrist in all planes of motion.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Build: All metal construction for durability

• Progressive overload: I can adjust and increase the frictional resistance to keep challenging my forearms and wrists as I get stronger

• 3-Dimensional: The 360 degrees ball and socket joint allows me to exercise in 3 dimensions like I move in real life

• Strength: Strengthens all the forearm muscles (flexors, extensors, pronator, supinator)

• Space saving: Won’t take up much space of your home gym space and can easily fit in a gym bag

Cons

• Not specific: There’s no way to exactly match the left and right handle. I just eyeball the resistance on both sides.

• Pads: Frictional pads will eventually wear out with use and will have to be replaced.

Gripzilla Discount Code

The Gripzilla Tornado retails for $179 but I’m gonna hook you up so you don’t pay full price.

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My Experience Using The Gripzilla Tornado

When I first saw the Tornado, I was a bit skeptical and it felt awkward to use because I wasn’t used to working in a 3-dimensional way.

But just like anything else, the more you used it, the more I started to like it.

It fatigues my forearm muscles quickly and the burn feels good.

Conclusion: Should You Buy The Gripzilla Tornado?

What’s good about the Tornado is that 3-dimensional grip training carries over to everything we do.

This can be good for arm wrestlers and anyone involved in sports like tennis, baseball, rock climbing, weight lifting, etc.

And it can even be useful for someone coming off an injury or maintaining strength for everyday activities like opening up a jar.

The adjustable resistance keeps challenging your forearms and makes it useful to a broad audience with different goals.