From all our times rock climbing in Macedonia and beyond, we’ve realized that finger strength isn’t just a niche skill for climbers and weight lifters—it’s essential for anyone wanting to elevate their fitness game. Whether you’re a climber, gymnast, weight lifter, or someone rehabilitating from a finger injury, the power and precision of your grip can make all the difference. Now, while there’s no shortage of ways to hone this strength outdoors or in gyms, your personal preferences might have you seeking alternatives. That’s where an at-home finger strengthener and trainer come into play. Below are some of our favorite finger strengthener and trainers to help you prep for your next adventure.
What is the Best Finger Strengthener and Trainer?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 6 Best Finger Strengthener and Trainer. We compiled this list from finger strengtheners we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with strengtheners for fingers you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. Prohands Pro Hand Exerciser and Finger Exerciser
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.18 pounds (0.08 kg) Material: Stainless Steel |
Work with the pros! This Prohands grip strengthener is light, portable and a superb choice for intermediate to advance climbers. Its small and easy to fit into your jacket pocket, where you can take a stroll and put your hands in your pockets to train one finger at a time. The tension level is unfortunately unadjustable so it will definitely be more of a test on your weaker fingers like the pinkie and ring finger. Luckily, it’s also very durable.
Pros
- Hardy and durable
- Made of stainless steel
- It allows for single-finger focus and isolation
- Compact and pocket size
Cons
- Pressure is unadjustable for individual fingers
- Finger pads too close together for individuals with wide hands
2. Wrist Blaster Hand, Forearm & Wrist Exerciser
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.47 pounds (0.67 kg) Material: birch wood |
The Wrist Blaster Hand, Forearm, and Wrist Exerciser differs from the other grip strengtheners because it specificlly targets your forearms. This solid wood exerciser helps focuses on strengthening the wrists alongside the forearm, strengthening your entire hand in the process. However, it doesn’t concentrate on finger grip strengthening. It’s a durable option for those looking to strengthen their whole hand beyond just their fingers.
Pros
- Made of solid wood
- Hardy and durable
- Less than 2 pounds heavy so it is lightweight for travel
- Weights can be easily switched out
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Focuses less on finger grip strengthening and training but more on wrists and forearms
3. FitBeast 5 Pack Hand Grip Forearm Strengthener Workout Kit
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.95 pounds (0.43 kg) Material: Plastic |
With the FitBeast Hand Grip Workout Kit, you get a practical set of 5 tools, which features an adjustable hand strengthener, a finger exerciser, a finger stretcher band, a grip ring, and a hand strengthener ball (which also relieves stress).
The resistance varies from 22 to 132 lbs, so it is perfect for every age and every purpose. You can also learn how to use the tools more effectively by watching the video tutorials provided! Do not be daunted by this set, its the all in combination you need to get the ulitmate hand and finger grip training. It helps to stretch fingers and also good to exercise your fingers which are recovering from injury. Some reviews said the silicone feels a bit too firm, but this may be preferred by some users.
Pros
- Ergonomic design that suits everyone
- Perfect for sports training as well as rehab
- Reasonable pricing at less than US$20
Cons
- Silicone pieces might feel a bit stiff to some
4. Vive 3-Pack Finger Strengthener
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.73 pounds (0.33 kg) Material: Thermoplastic Elastomers |
The Vive 3-Pack Finger Strengthener is a lightweight and simple solution for anyone looking to start off. There are 3 levels of intensity which makes it a good product for beginners to intermediate. With time, you get to warm up your finger grip and ease your way into more intense finger strengthening. However, the finger holes aren’t adjustable, so they may be too large or small for some users.
Pros
- 4 ounces of weight
- Portable and easy to travel with
- Comes with 3 levels of intensity
- Great for arthritis and other recovery
Cons
- Non adjustable individual fingers
- May not be firm enough for advanced training
5. D’Addario Hand Exerciser
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Silicone |
The D’Addario Hand Exerciser caught our attention as we scoured for tools to amp up our climbing prep. Beyond its musical origins, its adjustable tension hand exerciser is brilliant for climbers and injury recovery alike. Being able to individually set the tension for each finger means an all-rounded training, preventing over-reliance on dominant fingers. The reversible molded grip, with its simulated strings, might have been designed for calluses for musicians, but for climbers and related training, it’s an added layer of skin toughness that’s invaluable on the rocks. Some did said it was a bit too strong for them, but it’s a great option for those who already have a bit of strength. Its specialization towards musicians may deter some, but anyone looking to enhance finger, hand, and forearm strength should consider this tool.
Pros
- Lets you focus on each finger
- Great for rehab and carpal tunnel
- Has simulated strings to train calluses for instrument players
- Palm pad and molded finger pads for comfort
- Tension can be adjusted
Cons
- Finger presses sometimes stick
- Some said it was too strong for them starting off
6. Pnrskter Hand Grip Strengthener
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.2 pounds (0.09 kg) Material: Silicone |
Made from premium silicone, the Pnrskter Hand Grip Strengthener promises longevity and, being washable, maintains hygiene even with constant use. Its varied resistance levels, spanning from 30 to 50 lb for hand grips and 6.6 to 11 lbs for finger stretchers, cater to everyone from the novice to the pro. A significant highlight is its suitability for all hand sizes, a thoughtful feature often overlooked by other brands. The only hiccup? Juggling six pieces might be cumbersome for some on the move. Still, for those battling injuries or simply aiming to boost hand strength, this set deserves a look.
Pros
- Great for recovery from injuries
- 3 different strengths
- Durable and easy to clean
- Includes both finger strengtheners and grip strengtheners
- Comfortable, soft texture
Cons
- Finger holes not adjustable
- Fits on the larger size
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with strengtheners for fingers, we found that Prohands Pro Hand Exerciser and Finger Exerciser is the best finger strengthener available today.
Our Premium Option is Wrist Blaster Hand, Forearm & Wrist Exerciser with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the FitBeast 5 Pack Hand Grip Forearm Strengthener Workout Kit as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
- Best Hand Strengthener for Beginners
- Best Crash Pads for Your Home Climbing Gym
- Best Bouldering Crash Pad
What You Should Know Before Buying finger strengtheners
Features to look out for
Features to look out for in finger strengtheners include the types of strengtheners. There are 2 main types of finger strengtheners out in the market, the expansion grip strengtheners or the compression grip strengthener.
The key difference between both has got to do with the motion and movement of your fingers. Expansion finger strengtheners rely on hand opening, expanding and stretching outward motion. On the other hand, compression finger strengtheners rely on you closing your hands and pressing force with each finger.
Which is better you may ask? Well both are very critical, but given the are a rather different motion, they target different muscle groups. Closing the fingers in are building muscles for climbing, like crimp moves, and sloppers. Open hand on the other hand is targeting antagonist muscles. Such training will help prevent climbing injuries that sometimes happen from overexerting or insufficient finger and body warm-ups before exerting them.
Precautions to Note
Like any other training devices out in the market, we should take note of the precautions when using finger strengtheners.
If you are new to finger strength training, you have to be careful not to train it too quickly or intensely. Tendons and muscles build up and develop at a lower rate than our motivation and grit, so its important not to overdo it and cause further finger injuries.
Lastly, if you are using a finger strengthener and trainer for rehabitation and recovery, be sure to consult a physiotherapist or medical professional before using it. If you use the wrong tool or use it the wrong way, it may do more harm than good.
Questions and Answers About finger strengtheners
Is there a difference between finger strengtheners and hangboards?
Yes, there is a difference between finger strengtheners and hangboards. While both hangboards and finger strengtheners are useful for climbers, they work different parts of the body. Hangboards focus on strengthening the tendons in the fingers, while finger strengtheners target more boarder forearm and hand. Both are critical for climbing and training, but one should be aware of the key difference and how they are both vital.
Other common types of finger training devices also include rock rings, wooden climbing grips and even pull up balls.
What are some advantages & benefits of using a finger strengthener?
There are several advantages and benefits to using a finger strengthener. Finger strengtheners and trainers are good to target a particular forearm, hand or finger strength. At the beginning stage of your training and workout journey, you would find your your grip or ability to carry your own weight is lacking, and hence it comes with training and conditioning.
With constant practise, the finger grip gets better and it helps in climbing, gynmastics and other forms of workout.
Unless one has been a season climber for a long period of time, our fingers are not used to clinging onto poles, handles or holds for long period of time. Finger strengtheners help you gain strength in each finger and build that much needed muscle memory.
Additionally, finger strengtheners are great help for finger injury rehabilitation. One of the most critical ways of treating an injured tendon or pulley is making sure that blood glow is reaching all the way up to the tips of the fingers.
Finger strengtheners enable it, and it can be personalised and customized to individual abilities and needs to progessivel get more strength and nurse a recovering finger or hand.
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