
Working long hours in hospitals put me in daily contact with patients who suffered from reduced strength and dexterity as a result of aging, injury, or overuse. Luckily, the best grip strengtheners can keep your hands and forearms in tip-top shape and also protect against conditions like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive use injuries. I’ve rounded up a few of the best of the best grip strengtheners below.
1. Heavy Grips Set by Heavy Sports
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Geared toward athletes, these aluminum-handle grip strengtheners provide enough resistance to build hand and forearm muscles effectively. This set comes with three grips, each with a different resistance to test your strength.
- Non-slip aluminum handles
- Three grippers of different strength included
- Lifetime warranty
- Textured grip can be rough on fingers and palms
2. Hand Grip Strengthener by Kootek
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This tool increases hand and finger grip strength and is perfect for rehab or training purposes. Rubber hand grippers and an ergonomic design make this hand grip strengthener comfortable to use for short or extended periods. A custom dial adjusts resistance from 22 to 88 pounds.
- Has an adjustable dial to increase or decrease tension
- Includes booklet of hand grip exercises
- Works well for people of any age
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Therapy putty was designed to improve fine motor skills, build-up finger muscles, and relieve stress. This therapy putty kit, made of nontoxic and odorless silicone, comes in four resistance levels and provides a fun workout for fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms.
- Money-back guarantee
- Four resistance levels included
- Does not dry out or degrade
- May stick to soft surfaces
4. Grip Strengthener and Hand Exerciser by MummyFit
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Made of thermoplastic nylon and steel, this hand grip strengthener is tough, yet light enough to travel with you anywhere. It is fully adjustable so you can increase or decrease the strength level as needed, while benefiting from a resistance range of 55 to 154 pounds.
- Lifetime warranty
- Very quiet
- Durable
- Strength settings can be difficult to see
5. FlexBar Resistance Bar by TheraBand
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This wand-shaped device comes in five colors and four strengths, letting you customize your workout’s look and feel to your needs. The ridged design is easy to grip and works well for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and muscle building.
- Exercise instructions included
- Perfect size to hold and bend for any age or fitness level
- Grippy, molded construction makes it easy to hold
6. Hand Strengthener by Vive
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The ergonomic, non-slip TPR rubber of this hand grip strengthener makes an ideal choice for those recovering from injury and want to build dexterity and recover lost strength. Resistance levels range from 22 to 88 pounds, so athletes, pianists, and others looking to increase grip and forearm strength will also see benefits.
- Adjustable resistance that is easy to see and dial-in
- Money-back guarantee
- Includes a pair of hand grip strengtheners
- Offers less resistance than other grippers
7. Restore Hand Therapy Kit by GAIAM
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This four-piece kit includes three color-coded grip strength balls in progressive densities to work on hand, forearm, and wrist strength. Add in a dual finger massager to stimulate blood flow, relieve pain points in the hand and fingers, and alleviate stiffness. It’s a complete package!
- Balls are well-constructed
- Exercise guide included
- Works well with muscle and nerve pain
- The rubber balls attract dirt and hair
8. Gripmaster Pro Edition by Gripmaster
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This spring-loaded hand exerciser isolates each finger to improve individual digit strength. Nine pounds of tension are applied to each finger during use, making this ideal for athletes and musicians who need to improve coordination and finger grip strength.
- Small enough to toss in your pocket or purse
- Isolates fingers
- Comfortable to hold and use
9. Expand-Your-Hand Bands by IronMind
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These latex-free bands come in a set of ten and include two sets of five different strength levels, so you can mark progress as you go. The bands are a solid choice for the treatment of tennis elbow, wrist pain, muscle imbalance, or overuse injuries.
- Ten bands included: two sets of five different strengths
- Provides relief from tennis elbow and overuse injuries
- Latex-free
10. Ring Hand Exerciser by Vive
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This set includes palm-sized hand exercise rings in three colors, each representing a different resistance level from 15 to 35 pounds. A mixture of exercises can be performed with the rings, including squeezing, pulling, and extending movements. They are an ideal choice for adults in physical or occupational therapy, as well as musicians and athletes.
- Includes nylon travel bag
- Made of latex-free silicone
- Three strength rings included
11. Power Web Exerciser by Power Web
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Constructed of a silicone-coated steel ring, this hand grip strengthener resembles a colorful waffle. The web offers numerous possibilities for rehab and conditioning, focusing on muscles, finger joints, wrists, and forearms. An included manual guides you through a series of exercises for your particular condition or desired result.
- Six strength levels available
- Excellent range of motion
- Large variety of exercises target multiple muscle groups
- Must be purchased individually
12. Hand Grip Strengthener Workout Kit by HerculesGrip
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Four hand exercise tools are included in this kit: one adjustable hand gripper, one silicone grip ring, one isolating finger exerciser, and one finger stretch band. Each tool benefits users in a different way by strengthening different muscle groups. The kit includes a link to videos to learn how to use each tool properly.
- Four different hand grip strengtheners included
- Variety of exercises can be performed
- Inexpensive
13. Finger Strengthener by Vive
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This finger isolation exerciser gives you three levels of targeted resistance to increase hand and finger strength, flexibility, and relieve muscle pain. The variable resistance and unique, ergonomic design are perfect for those going through rehab or simply wanting to increase grip strength.
- Three finger strengtheners for the price of one
- Small enough to tuck in a pocket
- Ergonomically designed for maximum comfort
- Individual tools are not tension-adjustable
Types of Grip Strengtheners
Hand strengtheners come in a variety of styles and each tool has its own benefits. Make sure to know the difference before making your choice.
Hand-strengthening grip rings look like oversized donuts. These rings fit in the palm of your hand where they can be squeezed or pinched to work various muscle groups. Inserting your fingers into the ring and spreading the digits outward stretches and strengthens finger muscles as well.
Finger strengtheners target individual digits while also challenging muscles in the hand and wrist. These types of hand exercises build endurance as well as muscle, and are used both as therapy equipment or as occupational aids for athletes and musicians.
Therapy putties have been a staple in the physical therapy industry for years, assisting patients rehabilitating from strokes, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and to treat arthritis. Putties can be molded to suit individual needs and target various muscles and joints in the fingers, palm, hands, wrists, and forearms. Check out the best therapy putty brands here.
Grip strength balls are small silicone balls that fit in the palm of the hand. Through a series of movements, like squeezing with your palm or between fingers, users can increase strength and endurance in addition to developing a firmer grip.
Resistant bars are stick-shaped and meant to be bent or pulled with both hands. They improve hand strength and wrist mobility while also preventing tendinitis, tennis and golfer’s elbow and overuse injuries. These grip strengtheners come in a range of intensities and are used mostly by athletes and musicians.
Strengthen Their Grip Regularly
Once thought of as an activity for athletes, doctors today recommend grip strengthening exercises for everyone. Regular hand strengthening aids can offer a range of different benefits.
Injury Prevention
Staying active is the easiest way to prevent conditions caused by inactivity or overuse. When you target specific muscles in the hand, wrist, fingers, and forearms, you’re able to build strength and range of motion gradually.
Dexterity
You can increase your level of mobility with hand strengthening exercises, which enables you to expertly and efficiently complete agile tasks with your hands and fingers.
Injury Recovery
Fingers that are immobilized during the healing process can lose strength and range of motion. Hand grip exercises and hand strengtheners can aid in rebuilding muscles, increasing range of motion, and reducing strain on finger and wrist joints.
Arthritis Relief
Hand grip exercises have been shown to reduce hand, finger, and wrist pain in patients that suffer from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Daily, home-based exercises increase mobility, grip strength, and quality of life.
The Best Grip Strengtheners Make a Difference
Your hands, fingers, and wrists are put to work every single day and yet they’re the least likely parts of your body to be exercised. By employing grip strengtheners and improving your hand grip strength you can be assured that your hands will remain strong, agile, and healthy throughout your entire life.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279719/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4060090/
http://www.pmrjournal.org/article/S1934-1482(15)00290-7/pdf
https://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Arthritis/52578
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