A hand grip strengthener is a handheld device that allows you to work on your grip and forearm strength anywhere any time. They’ve been around for decades but have recently been given a new lease of life with different adaptations of the original design. In this article, I’ll lay 10 out undeniable benefits of using a handgrip strengthener.
1. Greater Muscular Endurance
The strength of your forearms and wrists is a big indicator of your muscular endurance, which is the ability of your muscles to continue performing for an extended period of time. For many people, the grip is the weak link when it comes to endurance-related activities. So, when you develop strength in your wrists and forearms, you will be able to continue performing exercises that involve your upper body for longer. These include resistance exercises such as deadlifts as well as bodyweight exercises like push-ups.
2. Reduced Aged-Related Decline
As we age, we lose strength in all of our muscles, including the forearms and wrists. We also lose bone density throughout the entire body. When you do specific exercises to strengthen your wrists and forearms, however, you are able to slow down the age-related decline that sees many elderly people with very weak wrists. The effects of arthritis are also less pronounced in people who have been using grip strengthening exercises.
3. Increased Muscle Strength
Regular exercise with a grip strengthener will increase the strength of your forearms and wrists. This will allow you to overcome the weak link in many weight resistance exercises, including the pull-up, lat pulldown, and deadlift. A strong grip will also make you far more effective in such activities as rock climbing, golf, and tennis.
4. Mental Health Benefits
There has been some interesting research linking increased grip strength and improved mental health. In one study, researchers reported that people who regularly engaged in grip strengthening activities had an improved ability to plan and visualize the future. They also had greater reaction time. The same study showed that greater grip strength was seen in people with schizophrenia who displayed higher levels of mental dexterity and visualization ability.
A number of other studies have linked improved grip strength with improvement in the symptoms of depression.
5. Greater Dexterity
Dexterity is the ability to manipulate your fingers. When you exercise with a grip strengthener, you will improve the individual strength of each of your fingers. Developing strength in your digits is especially beneficial for people who engage in such activities as playing a musical instrument, typing, hairdressing, and bricklaying.
6. Daily Activity Boost
When you strengthen your forearm, wrists, and grip, you will find it easier to carry out many daily activities. Your ability to carry the groceries, hold a child, do gardening, and do a multitude of other activities will be greatly enhanced when you train your grip strength with grip exercises.
7. Stress Release
Repetitive movement of the fingers and wrists is a well-known form of relaxation. Crush and squeeze balls are often prescribed by psychologists to help people with anxiety and stress problems. As a result, spending a few minutes each day performing squeeze and relaxation exercises with a hand gripper device will provide you with an opportunity to unwind and relax at the same time that you are increasing the isometric grip strength of your forearms and wrists.
8. Workout Spill Over
When you are working out with weights with the goal of increasing your muscle size and strength, it is the last few reps of the last few sets that really count. That is the point that your muscles are working at max intensity and stress levels. Yet, for many people, this critical part of the workout is cut short due to having a weaker grip strength.
When your grip is the weak link on your workout you won’t be able to perform to your best potential in such exercises as pull-ups, deadlifts, lat pulldowns, and barbell rows. Yet, when you develop your grip strength, you are able to overcome this weakness, allowing you the ability to squeeze out those vital last few reps at the end of your workout.
9. Recovery from Injury
When you have an injury that prevents you from performing your normal workout, a hand gripper is a device that will help you get back on the road to recovery. Most hand grippers allow you to work at different resistance levels, so you are able to start with very light resistance and gradually build it up as you get stronger and recover.
When you are unable to train at the gym or do your normal home gym workout, a hand gripper can be a lifesaver. As well as getting you back on the road to physical recovery, it can also help you mentally as you wait to get back to your full workouts.
10. Energy Booster
The great thing about the hand gripper is that it can be done anywhere at any time. You can even use it when you are watching TV on the couch, allowing you to turn sedentary time into productive workout time. This allows you to remain active during periods that would normally be classified as being inactive. As a result, you will feel more energetic and vibrant throughout the day.
Conclusion
Getting into the habit of regular hand gripper workouts will give you a strong grip, lower your risk of injury, boost your mental health, and stop your grip from becoming the weak link in your workouts. That’s a pretty good payoff for a few minutes of exercise each day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hand grippers really work?
The benefits of using a hand gripper really depend on the specific model you are using. Look for a quality device that allows you to adjust the resistance level as you get stronger. If you use a hand gripper regularly, you will develop handgrip strength, improve bone health and enhance the motor skills of your fingers and wrists.
Will hand gripper exercises help ward off cardiovascular disease?
No, hand gripper exercises will not do much to improve your cardiovascular health and offset the symptoms of cardio disease. For that, you will have to perform aerobic exercise that gets you puffing.
What are some good weight training exercises for grip strength?
The best gym exercises for grip strength are barbell and dumbbell wrists curls, reverse wrist curls, standing reverse curls and pinch grip plate holds.
