VG Usage Instructions

Description and Design

VG expanders are intended exclusively for participation in grip strength competitions on the website grippermania.ru.

VG expanders consist of steel and plastic parts and tension springs. The expanders are handmade, which means there may be manufacturing imperfections on the surface: scuffs, scratches, glue marks. None of this affects functionality.

Currently, VG expanders are available in two models with different loads.

VG1 Expander. This model is primarily intended for beginners. If you can achieve approximately 70 kg on the GM150 dynamometer, this model is suitable for you.

VG2 Expander. This model is suitable for more experienced participants. If you can achieve approximately 100 kg on the GM150 dynamometer, VG2 is suitable for you.

1. General Requirements

1.0. Anyone who has reached the age of majority and has no health contraindications for physical activity can participate in competitions. Minors can participate with permission from parents or guardians.

1.1. Only original VG expanders are allowed.

1.2. Modification of VG expanders is prohibited.

1.3. You must be a member of the Grippermania group on Telegram.

2. Video Recording Process

2.1. Ensure sufficient lighting, high image clarity, and high level of detail.

2.2. Show your face so we can correctly identify you.

2.3. Slowly show the expander from the front, back, and the area where the steel plates meet under the spring. Show it close to the camera.

2.4. Position your hand with the expander so that they fit in the frame, and the expander handles are visible to the camera at the moment of contact.

2.5. Compress the expander with one hand for 100 seconds for repetitions. Time counting starts from the beginning of the compressive movement of the first repetition. Each repetition must be performed until the expander handles touch, then completely release the handles, make a micro-pause, and begin the next repetition. Setting up the expander with the other hand is prohibited.

2.51. When a result of 100 repetitions is achieved, the time limit increases to 150 seconds.

2.6. The expander and the compressing hand must be predominantly in the frame at all times. Minor deviations and partial exit from the frame are acceptable, but the expander cannot be significantly cropped in the camera throughout the entire attempt.

2.7. Compressing the expander in horizontal and vertical positions is allowed.

2.8. Leaning against the body and surrounding objects is prohibited.

2.9. Using wristbands, tape, and bandages on hands and expander handles is prohibited.

2.10. Only liquid chalk is allowed.

3. Result Submission Process

To submit your result, you need to fill out the form using this link.

You can submit results any day, but they will be processed once a week, most likely on weekends. One attempt with the right hand and one attempt with the left hand are processed at a time.

4. Reputation Levels

If you are a beginner and do not have a reputation, then your results on the VG will fall into the shadows. To see them, you need to click the "shadowy" checkbox in the VG rating. The shadow results will be reset at the end of each season.

You can read about reputation levels here

An additional opportunity to speed up the way out of the shadows: you need to make an attempt with a VG expander and send a video on the day you receive the package with unpacking to the camera.

5. Calculating Results and Ranking

Each expander has two parameters: a fairly precise force and the distance between the handles.

Force is determined using a special measuring device using the "Vershok" system. The system was developed specifically for the project. The measurement results do not coincide with those of existing measurement systems; any similarities are purely coincidental.

The distance between the handles is measured manually using a caliper. It is important to note that each expander may have some play. The distance between the handles is measured after subtracting this play. Only the measurements specified for a specific expander are used in the ranking. Your personal measurements may differ, but they will not be used in the ranking.

Entries in the ranking are ranked by points. Points are calculated using a simple formula: Points = (kg * 2) + mm + reps, where mm is the distance between the handles of the resistance band, and reps is the number of repetitions the participant completed.

6. Restrictions

In the following cases, restrictions may be applied to the participant:

6.1. If the participant ignores the judge's remarks and sends results three times in a row with the same error.

6.2. If the participant engages in scandals, disputes, expresses disrespectful attitude, or uses offensive language.

6.3. If the participant is suspected of fraud.

Possible restrictions include: temporary suspension from result registration, prohibition on result registration, and deletion of all results from the database.

Rules edition from 01.11.25