Gilbert Burns Adds Gripedo to His Jiu-Jitsu Training

Elite combat sports athlete and Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Gilbert “Durinho” Burns has incorporated the Gripedo into his training to strengthen one of the most important tools in grappling: his grip.

Known for his high-level jiu-jitsu and successful MMA career, Burns understands that controlling an opponent requires more than technique alone. Strong hands, durable forearms, and upper-body endurance can make the difference when fighting for grips, completing takedowns, maintaining control, or securing a submission.

Building Grip Strength for Jiu-Jitsu

Grip strength plays a major role in nearly every area of jiu-jitsu. Athletes must repeatedly grab, pull, hold, twist, and control while an opponent actively works to break their position.

Burns has used the Gripedo in sand, twisting the device against the natural resistance to challenge the hands, wrists, forearms, and arms. He described it as a demanding training tool that requires only a Gripedo and a bucket of sand.

This form of granular training provides primarily concentric resistance, making it a low-impact way to build strength and conditioning throughout the arms. The constantly changing resistance of the sand also challenges control and endurance from multiple angles.

Strength That Lasts Through the Match

Maximum strength is valuable, but grapplers also need to maintain their grip as fatigue builds.

A powerful grip at the beginning of a match means little if the hands and forearms quickly become exhausted. Gripedo training can help athletes develop the endurance needed to continue fighting for control throughout prolonged exchanges, scrambles, and submission attempts.

By strengthening the hands, wrists, forearms, and upper arms together, the Gripedo helps train the entire chain involved in pulling and controlling an opponent.

More Than a Sand Training Tool

Although sand training is one of Gripedo’s most recognizable applications, the device can be used in many other ways.

It can be attached to an Olympic-size barbell for wrist rolling, static holds, pronation, supination, and straight-arm turns. Using the attachment pin, it can also connect to kettlebells, sleds, loading pins, and pull-up bars for carries, rows, pulls, and other loaded exercises.

This versatility allows combat athletes to train grip strength, endurance, rotation, and upper-body control with one durable tool.

Tested by an Elite Grappler

Burns ended his professional MMA career with a 22–10 record after competing against many of the UFC’s leading welterweights. His background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu includes an IBJJF World Championship, two World No-Gi titles, and years of experience competing at the highest levels of combat sports.

Following his retirement from MMA, Burns returned his focus to competitive grappling through UFC BJJ, where the ability to maintain a strong and enduring grip remains central to his performance.

Seeing an athlete of Burns’ caliber incorporate the Gripedo into his regimen demonstrates how valuable targeted hand, forearm, and upper-body training can be—even for athletes who have already reached the highest levels of their sport.

Whether you are a world-class grappler or just beginning your jiu-jitsu journey, your technique is only as effective as your ability to hold on. Gripedo helps build the strength and endurance to keep fighting for every position.