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
- The athlete must grip the hub attachment using only their fingertips and thumb.
- The athlete must extend their legs and hips to complete the lift.
- Shorter athletes must use blocks to stand on to ensure the weight is lifted at least 2 inches off the ground.
- The athlete must hold the lift for a minimum of 2 seconds before lowering.
- 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:
- Athlete stating their name, body weight, and chosen weight attempt.
- A clear weigh-in of the loading pin and weights.
- 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.