The Hub Lift is a grip strength challenge designed to test an athlete’s finger and thumb strength, focusing on pinch grip endurance and maximal lifting ability. Instead of lifting a weight plate by its hub, this event uses a standardized hub lift attachment, secured to a loading pin, allowing precise control of the load.

Athletes are given three attempts to lift the heaviest weight possible, with their best successful lift determining their final score.

Equipment & Setup

Hub Lift Attachment & Loading Pin

• A standardized hub attachment must be used for all competitors. [Ironmind, GripGenie, or same specifications]
• The attachment is secured to a standardized loading pin. [Ironmind, GripGenie, or same specifications]

Grip & Hand Placement

• Athletes must use only one hand to grip the hub.
• Thumb and fingertips only—no palm or wrist involvement.
• Chalk is allowed, but straps, gloves, tacky, or adhesives are prohibited.

Competition Surface & Positioning

• The lift must be performed on a flat, stable surface.
• The loading pin and hub attachment must start completely on the ground.
• The athlete must stand fully upright to complete the lift.

Lift Execution & Judging Standards

✅ Successful Lift Criteria

1. The athlete must grip the hub attachment using only their fingertips and thumb.
2. The athlete must extend their legs and hips to complete the lift.
3. Shorter athletes must use blocks to stand on to ensure the weight is lifted at least 2 inches off the ground.
4. The athlete must hold the lift for a minimum of 2 seconds before lowering.
5. The weight must be lowered under control—no dropping.

❌ No-Lift Criteria (Disqualifications)

🚫 The athlete fails to stand up with weight extending legs and hips.
🚫 The athlete fails to lift the weight a minimum of 2 inches from the floor.
🚫 The athlete fails to hold the lift for 2 seconds.
🚫 Palm, wrist, or body contact beyond the thumb and fingers.
🚫 Dropping the weight instead of lowering it under control.

Competition Format & Scoring

Lift Attempts & Best Lift Selection

• Athletes receive three attempts to perform their best lift.
• Weight can only increase—athletes may not lower their chosen attempt weight after selection.
• The heaviest successful lift is recorded as the athlete’s final score.

Tiebreakers

If two or more athletes achieve the same top lift, the tie is broken by:
1️⃣ Fewest failed attempts across all three lifts.
2️⃣ Lowest body weight (lighter athlete wins).

Equipment Rules & Fair Play

✅ Allowed:

• Chalk (liquid or powder).
• Elbow sleeves (non-supportive).
• Weightlifting belt (must not assist grip).

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Lifting straps, hooks, or gloves.
• Tacky, adhesives, or grip-enhancing substances.
• Modified or personal hub attachments (only the standardized hub will be used).

Judging Process & Online Submission Rules

For In-Person Competitions

• One head judge and up to two additional judges may oversee each lift.
• The judge will give a “Down” command and a drop of the hand signaling a successful lift after a 2-second hold.
• For rep events, the final lift count is recorded after each attempt.

For Online Competitions

• Full-body video required, showing the athlete from the side or front.
• The video must include:
  1. Athlete stating their name, body weight, and chosen weight attempt.
  2. A clear weigh-in of the loading pin and weights.
  3. An uninterrupted recording of the entire lift attempt.
• Video submissions must be uploaded to YouTube by the submission deadline of the challenge.

Training Considerations for Competitors

• Pinch grip training—train with hub lifts, pinch blocks, and plate pinches.
• Progressive loading—slowly increase weight to build maximal grip strength.
• Thumb conditioning—strengthen the thumb’s ability to sustain heavy loads.
• Avoid hand fatigue—strategize rest periods to maximize performance on attempts.

Final Thoughts

The Hub Lift is a true test of grip strength, emphasizing pinch grip endurance, finger control, and raw hand power. With a standardized hub attachment and controlled weight selection, this event ensures fair and competitive conditions for all athletes.