When planning for a workout program, fitness enthusiasts invest time closely examining every part of their back, shoulder, chest, and leg routines. However, what most of them often overlook is the advantages of grip strength.
This is because grip strength is needed when you’re using half of your muscles during a workout. Plus, having a stronger grip will increase your muscular gains and boost your overall strength performance!
As a licensed personal trainer, I believe that grip training should include these three elements: endurance, mobility, and strength. That is why handgrip exercises are important because you’re only as strong as your grip.
If you’ve ever slipped off the pull-up bar or dropped a loaded barbell, it is likely that your grip gave out before your body. So, I’ve come up with a list of the best grip strengtheners you can use to dramatically increase your grip strength.
Take a look below at the best grip strengtheners to learn everything you need to know before you buy!
Table of Contents
Top 5 Grip Strengthener
1. IronMind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper
Product Description
Produced by one of the world’s leading hand strengtheners, the IronMind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper is purchased as a single hand strengthener. You can use this as a grip training tool.
It’s easy to use. But for maximum results or improved grip strength, simply put the handle in 45-degrees in your palm. Avoid having the handle of this hand gripper pointing completely sideways or horizontal because it will be harder for your pinky finger on the end of the hand gripper.
Remember that the pinky finger also plays an important role in the final effort to close the hand gripper handles together. As for this product, it uses ally steel and aluminum. So, you can guarantee its durability.
Best For:
Men and women who want to build stronger hands fast and recover from hand injuries.
Pros
- Good-looking
- Durable
- Alloy steel and aluminum construction
- Precise
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Some people may not like the rough, rigid material of this grip strengthener because it may result in skin peeling when used for a longer period.
Ready to test your grip strength? Click here to buy it!
2. ProHands Exerciser – Hand Grip Strengthener
Product Description
This is the original spring-loaded finger and hand exerciser. Unique from other hand grip strengtheners you’ll see in the market, users can exercise their entire hand or each finger individually.
And since you can perform isolated exercises for each finger, it can help you improve dexterity, strength, and endurance. As a rehabilitation tool, you can also use the ProHands Exerciser – Hand Grip Strengthener for neuropathy, carpal tunnel, poor circulation, and arthritis.
You can choose between light tension (5lbs per finger) and heavy tension (13 lbs per finger).
Best For:
Professional athletes and musicians since they’re vulnerable to repetitive strain injury because of the nature of their work. By incorporating this hand grip strengthener in their daily routine, they can ease hand and arm pain, prevent injuries and relieve tension.
Pros
- Signature model
- Graduated resistance to measure progress
- It has an ergonomic base for stability and comfort
- Spring-loaded for pre-calibrated precision
- You can perform isolated exercises for each finger
Cons
- It may be too big for female hands
- Few users experience finger keys sticking to each other
Like what you see? Buy this product here today!
3. Twist Yo’ Wrist Ulnar and Radial Flexion Training Tool
Product Description
If you want to improve your grip strength not just focusing on fingertips but from elbows as well, then this Twist Yo’ Wrist Ulnar and Radial Flexion Training Tool is your best bet!
It is ideal to improve muscle mass and endurance. Unlike other hand strengtheners, the Twist Yo’ Wrist trains your forearm, wrist, and grip The movement is ulnar or pinkies up deviation and radial or thumbs up.
Picture opening a jar sideways using one hand on the bottom of the jar and the other hand on the lid. It is primarily designed to train you both eccentrically (unwind under control) and concentrically (wind up the cord).
Best For:
Arm wrestlers, handgun shooters, climbers, and other fitness enthusiasts as this go-to-training tool impacts everything from elbows to fingertips.
Pros
- For injury prevention
- Solid unit
- Impacts from elbows to fingertips
- Strong wrists in all directions
- Improves your forearms and grip strength
Cons
- Twisting motion may tweak nerves and tendons in the wrists (leading to carpal tunnel) when you’re not careful. Risk-reward may not be something to look forward to.
- A bit on the slippery side because it’s made of plastic
Don’t miss out! Buy this product here before it’s gone!
4.GD Grip Premium Adjustable Hand Gripper
Product Description
What’s unique about the GD Grip Premium Adjustable Hand Gripper over other grip strengtheners is that it is made of ultra-compressed steel springs. These materials are safe from breakage!
The makers of this product recommend customers, though, to begin with, a low resistance hand grip workout and gradually adding more intensity into the workout to gain a good grip strength.
This is a budget-friendly option if you really think about it. That’s because you can achieve the same levels of resistance as you would when purchasing more than six hand grip strengtheners of different ranges of resistance.
Best For:
All levels of fitness and can be used anytime or anywhere, whether in a fitness club, car, office, home, or in a library.
Pros
- Completely silent operation
- Safe from breakage
- Made of durable ultra-compressed steel springs
- Affordable option
- Fully adjustable
- Wide weight or resistance range
Cons
- The product does not seem to expand out far enough to work for hands/forearm
- Though springs are durable, the plastic frame may collapse after a long period of usage
Limited quantities are available! Click here to buy it today!
5. BBTO Finger Strengthener, Hand Exerciser
Product Description
The BBTO Finger Strengthener, Hand Exerciser package includes 4 pieces of different levels of hand exercisers or grip strengtheners. For easy distinction, they are available in different colors: green, black, blue, and red.
Each grip strengthener measures 8 x 9 cm/ 3.1 x 3.5 inch. It is lightweight so it’s easy to carry wherever you go. It is also designed ergonomically that maximizes efficiency but lessens physical discomfort.
The hand exercisers have ergonomic palm grips designed for individual fingers.
Best For:
Athletes, accordion performer, or hand reconstruction patient who are looking for an ergonomic hand exerciser that is comfortable to the hand.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Optional tension levels
- Ergonomic palm grips
- Comfortable to use
Con/s
- Resistance may still be weak compared to other grip strengtheners
Convinced? You can buy the product here!
What to Look for When Buying for the Best Grip Strengthener
Light or Heavy Resistance
The resistance your hand or finger needs will require some judgment on your part. Will it be light or heavy resistance? If you believe that your current grip is relatively weak and you want to train for endurance, then opt for a stronger than light resistance.
However, if your grip is already somehow strong, say you are an athlete and are often on training, then you can go for a heavier resistance level to increase your grip power.
Adjustability
Although fixed-resistance hand strengtheners are good and durable, I would recommend buying adjustable resistance strengtheners. This is because it’s cost-effective and you can adjust the resistance options once your grip gets stronger.
Frame
For increased overall functional grip strength, choose a stainless steel frame because it is least likely to break and you avoid the parts flying out (which, by the way, may hit you in the face).
You may also look for knurled or rubberized handles so it won’t slip in your hand.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Of all the grip strengtheners in this list, my top pick would be the PRO HANDS PRO Hand Exerciser or Finger Exerciser.
The design is simple but works efficiently to help you achieve healthy and stronger hands. I like that you can perform isolated exercises for individual fingers or exercise your hand as a whole.
It also has a graduated tension level so you can increase it as you progress.
If you like this article, you might want to read our other reviews at ExpertFitness.org.
Nathan Lloyd, MSc
LICENSED PERSONAL TRAINER
I’m a personal trainer, based in Boulder, Colorado.
I service clients physically in the Boulder area, mainly in the ONE Boulder Fitness Gym, but am also available for online consulting and coaching.
If you’re interested in my personal coaching programs, please contact me via the contact page.