Hobart Hoist
The Hobart Hoist is Hobart’s 6th annual grip strength competition, sanctioned by Grip Sport International. Come along and try your hand!
Jan 30th, 2027
Save the date! Jan 30th, 2027 at Van Demon Fitness, Hobart Tasmania.
Early bird special!
Book your spot using the early bird code by Jan 10th and save $20 on your entry.
Use code:
Contact w/Questions
Events and winner categories
Sarah’s Block Lift
Nemesis ¾” Crimp
Vertical Cone Lift
Unidentified Flying Hub
Winner categories
Men
- Highest Total
- Pound-for-pound: free nationals entry
- Highest Crimp
Women
- Highest Total
- Pound-for-pound: free nationals entry
- Highest Crimp
Participation is an instant qualification for Nationals: 2027 Australian Grip Sport Championship.
Rules and regulations
General rules for all events
Bracing any part of the hand or forearm of the lifting arm or the apparatus itself against the thigh at the start of (or during) the lift is NOT allowed. The off-hand may be used to help set the implement, but the lift must not begin until the off-hand is no longer touching. During the lift the off-hand can be posted on the hip or leg or left out to the side. Once the implement is prepared (i.e. weight loaded and implement prepared) and the competitor grasps the handle to begin the lift they have 30 seconds during which they have unlimited attempts.
Once a competitor fails to make a successful lift within the allotted time, he/she is done for the event (e.g., can only attempt a given weight once). Individual athletes will have a minimum of two (2) minutes between their trips to the platform (unless the athlete is happy for this to be reduced).
In situations where a lifter must make trips back-to-back (i.e., there are no other lifters left or interested to make a trip at a given weight), the maximum amount of time will be four (4) minutes. The contest will be run using Last Person Standing format. The promoter will start each event with the loading pin loaded with a weight that all competitors can lift, and then gradually increase the weight.
Minimum increases will be noted for each implement. At any given weight, competitors will have the option to make an attempt or pass. He/she will be given credit for the highest weight they successfully lift. Once a weight increment is added, it cannot go back down. For instance, if a competitor passes at a given weight, but then attempts the next weight and fails, he/she cannot then drop back down to the previous weight.
All events instructions
Sarah’s Block
Specifications
- Weights to increase in minimum 5 kg increments
Lifting rules
The lift height for the event will be 15 cm (6 in).
The lifter grabs the implement in approximately the center of the handle.
The handle is to be lifted level with a minimal amount of tilt. The athlete’s hand must not come into contact with the metal frame of the implement.
The lifter will lift the implement until the crossguard touches the crossbar. There is no referee’s signal. There is no need to be erect upon completion. The lifter must lower the weight under control (hand grasping the implement all the way down). If the lifter raises the implement 15 cm (6 in) or higher but misses contact with the crossbar, the lifter will still need to have the top of the crossguard cross the plane of the crossbar.
Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained.
Nemesis ¾” Crimp
Specifications
- Weights to be increased in minimum 2.5 kg increments
Lifting rules
The lift will be in the pronated crimp position with no thumb contact on the plate whatsoever and the thumb can not be pressing down on the other fingers.
The handle is to be lifted level with a minimal amount of tilt.
Fingers must not go beyond the sides of the implement.
The lifter will lift the implement until the crossguard comes in contact with the crossbar for a 15 cm (6 in) lifting height.
If the lifter misses contact with the crossbar, he/she will still need to have the top of the crossguard cross the plane of the crossbar. Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained. There is no referee’s signal. The lifter does not have to be erect upon completion. He/she must lower the weight under control (hand touching the crimp plate all the way down).
Vertical Cone
Specifications
- Weights to increase in minimum 5 kg increments.
Lifting rules
The cone is to be attached to the loading pin. The lifter grips the cone with one hand with no part of the hand allowed to grasp below the rim. The lifter will lift the cone until the crossguard comes in contact with the crossbar for a 15 cm (6 in) lifting height.
If the lifter misses contact with the crossbar, he/she will still need to have the top of the crossguard cross the plane of the crossbar. Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained.
There is no referee’s signal. The lifter does not have to be erect upon completion. He/she must lower the weight under control (hand grasping the cone all the way down).
Unidentified Flying Hub
Specifications
- 10 cm (4 in) in diameter at the base, and 1.9 cm (¾ in) tall.
- Weights to increase in minimum 2.5 kg increments.
Lifting rules
Freestyle is allowed as long as the grip is below or in contact with the rim of the hub.
The lifter will lift the hub until the crossguard comes in contact with the crossbar for a 15 cm (6 in) lifting height.
If the lifter misses contact with the crossbar, he/she will still need to have the top of the crossguard cross the plane of the crossbar. Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained.
There is no referee’s signal. The lifter does not have to be erect upon completion. He/she must lower the weight under control (hand grasping the hub all the way down).
Additional notes
- The competition is held at venue discretion, so slight adjustments to rules or time limits may apply.
- Referees have discretion to judge lift validity (e.g., height, technique).
- At the discretion of the organiser a weight outside of normal jumps can be selected if this would result in a World Record (M or F).
For further details or clarifications, reach out to event organizers via the contact form. Good luck to all competitors!
RegisterScoring
Percentage-based scoring
- The top lifter in each event earns 1 point.
- Scores for other participants are calculated as a percentage of the top lifter’s performance.
- The lifter with the highest total score across all events wins.
Pound for pound: Score is calculated as weight/bodyweight.
Example scoring
| Lifter | Event A weight | Event B weight | Event C weight | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac | 80 kg (1.0) | 100 kg (0.91) | 20 kg (1.0) | 2.91 |
| Josh | 75 kg (0.94) | 110 kg (1.0) | 15 kg (0.75) | 2.69 |
| Henry | 80 kg (1.0) | 105 kg (0.95) | 18 kg (0.90) | 2.85 |
Grip strength education and resources
Grip sport associations
Grip Australia
gripaustralia.com
Books/downloads
Video resources
