Forearms

Plate Pinch Hold

The Plate Pinch Hold trains the forearms. Here is how to do it, the muscles it works, what to pair it with, and swaps for home and gym.

How to do it
ChestFront deltsSide deltsTrapsNeckBicepsForearmsAbsObliquesQuadsAdductorsAbductorsCalvesTibialisSide deltsRear deltsUpper backLatsTrapsLower backNeckTricepsForearmsGlutesHamstringsAbductorsCalves
Main Forearms
  • EquipmentOther
  • PatternIsolation
  • Repsheld for time
  • Joint loadNone flagged
Setup

Stand beside two smooth weight plates held together, and pinch them with your fingers on one side and thumb on the other.

First cue

Squeeze with the fingers and thumb.

How to do the Plate Pinch Hold

Set up. Stand beside two smooth weight plates held together, and pinch them with your fingers on one side and thumb on the other.

  1. Lift the plates by standing up, arm straight at your side.
  2. Hold for the target time.
  3. Set the plates down under control.
  4. Switch hands.

Form cues

  • Squeeze with the fingers and thumb.
  • Stand tall.
  • Keep the plates close to your body.

Common mistakes

  • Holding them over your feet where a drop would land.
  • Leaning to one side.

Muscles worked

Main target: Forearms. The forearm holds the muscles that bend and straighten the wrist and close the hand. Grip is forearm work: carries, hangs and heavy pulls all train it.

The catalog names no other muscle it works on the way.

What to pair it with

Movements that round out a workout with the Plate Pinch Hold, from the same catalog the StatBlockFit app logs.

  • Barbell Row Same pull session: it trains the upper back.
  • Pull-Up Same pull session: it trains the lats.

A complete workout around it

4 movements, the Plate Pinch Hold first, at the catalog's rep ranges. Load it into the workout builder to change the sets, reps and weights, then bookmark it or download it.

  1. Plate Pinch Hold 3 × 30 to 60 s
  2. Barbell Row 3 × 5 to 12 reps
  3. Pull-Up 3 × 3 to 15 reps
  4. Sumo Deadlift 3 × 1 to 8 reps

Alternatives and swaps

The same main muscle with other equipment: a swap never changes the muscle a workout trains.

  • Home or dumbbell swap

    Wrist Curl

    Dumbbell

A swap describes the movement, not your body: if a joint hurts, ask a professional before you train it.

Variations and preparation

Do before it: Wrist Mobilisation (same movement, lighter).

Track it in StatBlockFit

In the StatBlockFit app the Plate Pinch Hold is logged set by set: the app suggests your next weight after each session, times your rests, keeps your records and shows the 72-hour recovery of every muscle on its training map. The training guide explains how.

Questions

How do you do the Plate Pinch Hold?

Set up: Stand beside two smooth weight plates held together, and pinch them with your fingers on one side and thumb on the other. Steps: 1. Lift the plates by standing up, arm straight at your side. 2. Hold for the target time. 3. Set the plates down under control. 4. Switch hands. Form cues: Squeeze with the fingers and thumb. Stand tall. Keep the plates close to your body. Common mistakes: Holding them over your feet where a drop would land. Leaning to one side.

What muscles does the Plate Pinch Hold work?

It trains the forearms; the catalog names no other muscle it works on the way.

What can I do instead of the Plate Pinch Hold?

At home: Wrist Curl. Each trains the same main muscle.

What should I pair the Plate Pinch Hold with?

Good partners in the same workout are Barbell Row and Pull-Up.

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Take it into the app

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