Our team has often debated what sets a good climber apart from a great one. The consensus? Finger grip strength and endurance. When you’re training at home, a grip strengthener becomes a climber’s best ally. Even for those fortunate enough to have access to a home climbing wall or a regular rock climbing gym, integrating a rock climbing grip strengthener into your workout and conditioning regime can be the game-changer. In this article, we’ll share some of the best grip strengtheners for climbers you can find online.
What are the Best Grip Strengtheners for Climbers?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 7 Best Grip Strengtheners for Climbers. We compiled this list from grip strengtheners we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with finger strengthener for grip strength 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 & Finger Exerciser
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.18 pounds (0.08 kg) Material: Stainless steel |
The Prohands grip strengthener is a lightweight, portable hand exercise device that is a product that is specially designed for advanced climbers. It is so small that you can even fit it in your pocket, and it also gives you the ability to train one finger at a time. However, you cannot adjust the tension in each finger, so it may pose difficulties when trying to train your pinkie or ring fingers individually. Therefore, it is best used as a full-hand grip training device.
Pros
- Durable
- Compact and pocketsize
- Made of stainless steel
- Can exercise single fingers at a time
Cons
- Individual fingers not adjustable
- Finger pads very close together
2. Wrist Blaster Hand, Forearm and Wrist Exerciser
| Specs |
|---|
| 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 listed in this article because it specifically targets a different part of your body: your forearms. If you are looking to strengthen your wrists and forearms, this is the product for you, though it doesn’t focus much on finger strength. However, it is made of durable hard wood, so you’ll be able to use it for a long time without issue.
Pros
- Very durable
- Made of solid wood
- Lightweight (less than 2 pounds)
- Portable and great for traveling
- Weights can easily be switched out
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Doesn’t offer as much finger grip-strengthening capabilities
3. Vive Finger Strengthener
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.73 pounds (0.33 kg) Material: Thermoplastic Elastomers |
The Vive finger strengtheners, similar to other products listed above, are a great option for someone looking to simply increase finger and grip strength and keep their fingers active.
The three levels of intensity included makes it a great product for beginners, meaning that you can slowly ease your way into finger grip strength training. Though you can’t adjust the finger sizes, they’re a great option for those looking for beginner training or a tool for warmups.
Pros
- Lightweight (each item weighs about 4 ounces)
- Portable
- Three levels of intensity included
- Easy to use
Cons
- Individual fingers not adjustable
- Not as durable as other options
4. Digi-Flex Cando Hand & Finger Exercise
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Plastic |
The Digi-Flex Cando hand and finger exerciser is a moderate-intensity grip strength training device best suited for the intermediate climber who is hoping to supplement their training or treat a finger injury. It is more affordable than most other grip strengtheners, and can also be an excellent tool for warming up before climbing. It’s also lightweight, which makes it great for taking it with you on the go. For experienced climbers, we recommend using it as a warmup because it only has one intensity level at 3 pounds.
Pros
- Affordable option appropriate for intermediate climbers
- Great for training and warming up your hand and fingers
- Very lightweight (only 3 ounces)
- 3 lbs Resistance
Cons
- Individual fingers not adjustable
- Only comes with one intensity level
5. Ironmind Captains of Crush Hand Grip Strengthener
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: aluminum |
The Ironmind Captains of Crush Hand Grip Strengthener is one of the most popular hand strengtheners in the market. This product is considered the The Gold Standard of Grippers.
The design allows for 11 levels of strength, from beginners to experts (starting from 60 lbs to 365 lbs). It focuses mainly on developing a strong finger grip for climbers and boulderers, but it can be used for a vast variety of purposes to strengthen and condition both finger, grip and forearm strength. However, we should note that it isn’t the most comfortable on the list, and could cause blisters over time if you aren’t careful. Consider wearing gloves with this product.
Pros
- Owns the The Gold Standard of Grippers
- Catered for climbing and bouldering athletes
- Made with alloy steel
- High-quality crafting
- 11 different intensity levels
Cons
- Could result in blistering
6. D’Addario Hand Exerciser
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Silicone |
The D’Addario Hand Exerciser is a tool originally crafted for musicians, but with evident benefits for climbers. The individual finger tension adjustments mean a comprehensive and balanced training, crucial for those challenging climbs. Plus, its simulated string side is perfect for creating and maintaining robust calluses – key for tough ascents. It can sometimes get stuck, and the tool does cater predominantly to musicians, but climbers looking for a unique and effective training tool should not overlook this.
Pros
- Single finger focus
- Perfect for training and recovery
- Simulated strings for training calluses
- Comfortable palm pads and finger pads
- Adjustable tension
Cons
- May be too tense for some people
- Fingers sometimes don’t depress
7. Pnrskter Hand Grip Strengthener
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.2 pounds (0.09 kg) Material: Silicone |
The Pnrskter Hand Grip Strengthener’s high-quality silicone design means durability and comfort during regular use. Ideal for both sports enthusiasts and those looking for rehabilitation tools, the set offers varying resistance levels catering to all needs. From aiding carpal tunnel and tennis elbow to strengthening for rock climbing or weight lifting, its versatility is commendable. One minor setback might be the challenge of keeping track of all the pieces, but the ergonomic design that suits all hand sizes more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for a comprehensive hand strengthener set, this is a promising pick.
Pros
- Comes in 3 different strengths
- Set of 6 products
- Works well for injury recovery
- Targets both finger strength and grip
- Silicone comfortable and easy to clean
Cons
- May be too large for small hands
- Difficult to transport with 6 pieces
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with finger strengthener for grip strength, we found that Prohands Pro Hand & Finger Exerciser is the best grip strengthener available today.
Our Premium Option is Wrist Blaster Hand, Forearm and 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 Vive Finger Strengthener as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
- Best Finger Strengthener and Trainer
- Best Hand Strengthener for Beginners
- Best Crash Pads for Your Home Climbing Gym
What You Should Know Before Buying grip strengtheners
Advantages & Benefits of Finger Grip Strengtheners
There are many advantages and benefits to using finger grip strengtheners. Finger grip strengtheners are a great way to target specific hand and forearm strength that can otherwise only be gained by rock climbing. Grip strength is something that many climbers, especially beginners, lack, and using a finger grip strengthener can be a great way to help reinforce those muscles that are so important to climbing.
Unless we’ve been climbing for an extended period of time, our fingers are likely not used to clinging onto holds like we have to do when rock climbing. Using a finger grip strengthener can help your fingers to gain the strength and muscle memory needed to have climbing-grade fingers.
Additionally, finger grip strengtheners can be great tools for injury rehabilitation. One of the most important parts of treating an injured tendon or pulley is making sure that blood flow is reaching your fingers, something that a grip strengthener can certainly help with. Thanks to the fact that many of them can be personalised to fit individual abilities and needs, you can either use them to gain/maintain strength or nurse an injured finger or hand.
Features to Look Out For
There are a few different features to look out for in a grip strengthener. First, there are two types of grip strengtheners on the market – compression grip strengtheners and expansion grip strengtheners. The main difference has to do with the movement that your hand makes when using them. On one hand, compression finger strengtheners rely on closing your hand, while expansion grip strengtheners focus on a hand-opening movement.
Both types of grip strengtheners are useful, but keep in mind that, because use different movements, they target different muscle groups. Grip strengtheners that require you to close your grip strengthen the specific hand muscles that are used when climbing, while those that require you to open your hand target antagonist muscles, which can help to prevent common climbing injuries, such as those caused by overtraining.
Precautions
Just like with any training device, there are certain precautions that you should keep in mind when using grip strengtheners. If you are a beginner, for example, you have to be careful about training these muscles too quickly or too intensely. Muscles and tendons develop at a slower rate than our training and motivation often does, so it’s important to not overdo it.
Additionally, if you are using a grip strengthener as a method of injury rehabilitation, be sure to consult with a medical professional, such as a physical therapist, before using it. If you use the wrong tool or you are using it in the wrong way, you could just end up doing yourself more harm than good. So be careful and take the necessary precautions.
Questions and Answers About grip strengtheners
Is there a difference between grip strengtheners and hangboards?
Yes, there is definitely a difference between grip strengtheners and hangboards. While both are climbing-specific training tools, finger grip strengtheners and hangboards work different parts of the body. While hangboards or also known as fingerboards are commonly used to strengthen the tendons in your fingers, grip strengtheners target broader hand and forearm muscles. Though both are important for climbing training, you should be aware that the use of one cannot replace the other.
How do I decide between a pull-up bar or grip strengthener?
Deciding between a pull-up bar or grip strengthener depends on what your specific training goals are. If you would like to work on your pinch and forearm strength, then you should probably lean towards rock climbing grips or grip strengtheners. However, if you are looking for a more versatile piece of equipment that will allow you to train pull strength, then you will undoubtedly want a pull-up bar.
No Comments