PURPOSE: Evidence shows an association between grip strength and health; however, grip strength cut-offs for the detection of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in Latin- American populations are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine cut-offs of normalized grip strength (NGS) in a large collegiate student population from Colombia (2014-2017). METHODS: A total of 1,795 volunteers (61.4% female, mean age = 20.68 (2.9) years old), ranging between the ages of 18 and 30 years participated in the study. Strength was estimated using a hand-held dynamometer and normalized to body mass (handgrip strength [kg]/body mass [kg]). Anthropometrics, serum lipids indices, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). MetS was defined as including ≥3 of the metabolic abnormalities according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. A metabolic risk score was computed from the following components: waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed a significant discriminatory accuracy of NGS in identifying the thresholds and risk categories. RESULTS: Lower strength was associated with increased prevalence of MetS. In males, weak, intermediate, and strong NGS values at these points were <0.47, ≥0.47 to 0.62, and >0.62, respectively. In females, these cut-off points were <0.33, ≥0.33 to 0.44, and >0.444, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our sex-specific cut-off points of NGS could be incorporated into a clinical setting for identifying college students at cardiometabolic disease risk.