We hear it all the time, You need to do hand grip exercises to improve your hand grip strength! but where do you even begin? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about doing hand grip exercises right at home so you can have stronger hands and fingers in no time at all! If you’re ready to see results fast, keep reading!
What is a hand grip exercise?
A hand grip exercise is an exercise that strengthens the muscles in your hands and forearms. They can be done as part of a workout to work out other parts of your body, or as self-care for hands that are used for heavy tasks all day. Hand grips come in many shapes, sizes, and strengths so it's easy to find one that works for you! There are plenty of options at drugstores, sporting goods stores, or online. To use a hand grip:
- 1) Grasp the handle firmly with your thumb on top and fingers wrapped around the side.
- 2) Slowly squeeze the handle by bending your wrist downward until your forearm is parallel with the ground (or until you feel resistance). 3) Hold for 5 seconds before releasing back to starting position.
- 4) Repeat 10 times (or more if desired).
Why are they important?
Grip strength is important for many reasons. It's a strong indicator of overall health and has been linked to longevity. Grip strength can also be an indicator of cognitive function, with people with high grip strength being more likely to maintain their mental faculties as they age. Grip strength is also an essential element of many activities, including gardening and cooking, which require manual dexterity and the ability to hold objects tightly without dropping them.
How to do them
The first step in doing the hand grip exercise is to hold your hands out in front of your chest with your palms touching. The next thing you want to do is bring your hands together, pulling them apart as far as possible. Once they are pulled apart, return them to the original position and repeat. This should be done for 10 repetitions each day for 30 seconds at a time. You can also use various tools to increase resistance if needed. You can use tools such as elastic bands or towels that have been tied into knots on both ends and looped around the wrists, or other tools like lifting heavy objects. If you would like more information on how to do these exercises safely, contact a personal trainer or physical therapist.
What are some benefits?
Handgrip exercises are a common form of physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your hands, wrists and forearms. Handgrip exercises can also help with carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by repetitive motions that create pressure on the median nerve in your arm. Some other benefits include improved coordination and dexterity, as well as reduced risk of getting tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. Another benefit is that it's easy to do: all you need are two items from around the house, such as a water bottle and a t-shirt. All you need to do is wrap one item around each hand, squeeze them together and repeat for 10-20 seconds.
