Climbing is fun, but is a challenge to start. Climbing requires pulling and locking movements, putting the fingers, shoulders and arms (especially the forearms) to the test. But with rigorous and repetitive use, our limbs can face everything from minor abrasions to more concerning issues, such as the flexor digitorum tendon pulley injury. The silver lining? With the right conditioning and tools, like grip strengtheners, we can mitigate these risks and enhance our performance. We know firsthand the importance of finger and grip strength, given we need it for technical sports like rock climbing – having rock climbed regularly around the world the past 10 years. Below, we’ll share some of the best hand strengtheners we’ve found along the way for beginners, so you can get practicing before your next trip.
What is the Best Hand Strengthener for Beginners?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 7 Best Hand Strengthener for Beginners. We compiled this list from hand strengtheners for beginners we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with beginner hand strengtheners 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. Ironmind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: aluminum |
Popularly known as “one of the best hand strengtheners online”, Ironmind’s Captains of Crush Hand Gripper stands out for its crafting quality. It substitutes plastic with resistant, built-to-last alloy steel and billet aluminum.
The design of this hand strengthener allows for 11 levels of strengths, from beginners to experts (starting from 60 lbs to 365 lbs). It focuses mainly on developing a strong crushing grip, but it can be used for a vast variety of workout purposes from climbing training to boxing. We really appreciate that it can be used for rehab and the elderly too!
Pros
- Catered for gymnastic athletes
- Also suitable for golfing, shooting, and baseballing
- Made with alloy steel and high-quality crafting
- Owns the The Gold Standard of Grippers
- 11 different levels of intensity
Cons
- Could cause blisters despite of the good design
2. Squegg Smart Hand Grip Trainer Bluetooth Wellness Device
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.2 pounds (0.09 kg) Material: silicone |
The Squegg Smart Hand Grip Trainer is an interesting technological idea when it comes to training. This wellness device saves progress updates in real-time, making it a great training instrument for any user. It also has an 80 hour-lasting battery, so you don’t have to charge it very often.
In particular, we love that this product is also very helpful and catered to senior people. In fact, this hand strengthener comes with handgrip assessments that function as a biomarker. This way, older people can measure their own physical and vital functions. However, we did note that the app isn’t always up-to-date, which can cause issues with tracking if you aren’t paying close attention to it.
Pros
- An interesting technological idea
- Saves progress updates in real-time
- Perfect training instrument for older people
- 80 hours-lasting battery
Cons
- Smartphone app is occasionally inaccurate
- Premium pricing
3. Sportneer Wrist Strengthener For Beginners & Rehab
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.24 pounds (0.11 kg) Material: Alloy steel |
The Sportneer Wrist Strengthener is perfect for beginners that are starting to train for rock climbing or other sports that include pulling. In fact, the adjustable tension is very low at a minimum level, which also makes it very good for therapy rehab. This product is focused mainly on strengthening the wrist.
This wrist strengthener stands out for its crafting quality and design: it is built using heavy duty carbon steel springs and features a foam stabilizer pad of 10mm, which makes the product very ergonomic. We do recommend taking it easy at first – beginners may feel discomfort with extended use due to the strength of this product.
Pros
- Good pick for beginners
- Suitable as a rehab device
- Ergonomic and practical to use
- Adjustable design
- Highly affordable
Cons
- May face occasional discomfort after a long session of use
4. Camry Digital Hand Grip Tester
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1 pounds (0.45 kg) Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
The Camry Digital Hand Grip Tester is user-friendly and offers adjustable hand grip resistance. This hand strengthener is digital, so it tracks individual parameters with high accuracy. It’s also a great value for the money.
Though this product isn’t the most ergonomic out there, the design really makes it easy to use: pull the hand dynamometer and the LCD screen will tell you how strong your grip is, based on age and gender info that you set.
Pros
- User friendly
- Adjustable hand grip resistance
- Tracks individual parameters with high accuracy
- Value for money
Cons
- Not very ergonomic in the long run
5. Simien Flexible Rubber Twist Bar
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: Rubber |
The Simien Flexible Rubber Twist Bar is excellent for relieving muscle tissue and joint pain as you train. This bar offers 3 levels of resistance to increase difficulty, and its compactness suits many shapes of hands. Plus, it offers a lifetime warranty!
Not only does this bar help you with relieving pain, but it also prevents future injuries just by twisting and flexing it. However, this bar may not be the best for those with extremely low strength, as the twisting motion may be too difficult for some users. As a result, we mostly recommend it for training, rather than for recovery or elderly people.
Pros
- Excellent for relieving muscle tissue and joint pain
- Offers 3 levels of resistance to increase difficulty
- It’s compactness suits many shapes of hands
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- People with little strength may find twisting difficult
6. Serenilite Tri-Density Stress Balls
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.13 pounds (0.51 kg) Material: TPR gel, PU foam, and Lycra |
The Serenilite Tri-Density Stress Balls offer different densities for each stress ball. The material is soft but doesn’t deform, so you can use them regularly without issues. This product is great as it helps strengthen your hands while also helping you relieve stress. The balls are made of premium, non-stick fabric so your hands don’t get blisters, either. Though some users did say that they didn’t feel much of a difference between each ball.
A dear friend of ours has reportedly experienced high levels of comfort when gripping for rehab. He also said that this set is very good for improving well-being and promoting a relaxed state of mind.
Pros
- Different densities for each stress ball
- Promotes a relaxed state of mind when gripping
- Material is soft but doesn’t deform
Cons
- No huge density differences when squeezing
7. Logest 14-Pieces Hand Grip Strengthener Kit
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) Material: silicone |
The Logest Hand Grip Strengthener Kit includes 14 forearms tools that you can carry anywhere you want! It features an adjustable hand strengthener, 3 finger stretcher bands, 3 hand rings, an egg-shaped hand strengthener ball, a finger grip exerciser and 5 hand bands. You should also be aware that some reviewers said that it can get loud while tightening it, so try not to disturb others when adjusting. Although the set is numerous, it all fits into a convenient carry bag that is included in the kit!
Pros
- 14 pieces in one kit
- Provides full workout and rehab equipment
- Convenient carry bag included
Cons
- May get quite noisy when tightened
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with beginner hand strengtheners, we found that Ironmind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper is the best hand strengthener for beginners available today.
Our Premium Option is Squegg Smart Hand Grip Trainer Bluetooth Wellness Device 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 Sportneer Wrist Strengthener For Beginners & Rehab as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying hand strengtheners for beginners
How to Pick the Best Hand Strengthener
Picking the right hand strengthener requires research and prior knowledge. Going through every single tool available online is time-consuming. Looking at reviews like these can save you a lot of time between comparing products. Make sure you think about what you need the product for – is it for rehab, or for training? This may help you pick an item more suitable for your needs.
Benefits of a Hand Strengthener
The benefits of a hand strengthener are improving your forearm strength, wrist strength, hand strength, and finger strength, and it is oftentimes used as a rehab tool. Many people can benefit from a hand strengthener, from training rock climbers to elderly individuals wishing to keep their strength.
Most Important Features to Look Out For
Safety is the Number 1 feature that everybody should look for in a hand strengthener. High-quality crafting hand grippers last longer and, most importantly, avoid splittings and breakings. It may sound obvious, I know, but I’ve seen people getting splinters in their eyes and trust me, it’s not a good show nor a good feeling.
The material is also important. Steel-built hand strengtheners are more resistant than plastic ones.
The second most important feature is the type of training you’re looking for. If you are a rehab patient, then you should choose a light resistance hand gripper, while if you are a trained athlete you should pick a sturdier one.
Adjustability is also a very important feature, because it allows you to save money in the long run. Keep in mind that adjustable hand grippers don’t usually last as long as fixed ones, as they usually employ plastic materials to be able to move.
Basic Setup and Usage
Basic set up and usage of a hand strengthener is quite easy and the setup really depends on how the product is crafted. Usage comes along with its setup. All you have to do is make sure your hands are comfortable enough when pulling. If they’re not, you have to adjust the tool or get a new one, simple as that!
If you feel some pressure on the low end of your palm or wrist, you may need to consider using some cloth as a cushion. Also, some hand grippers tend to slip, which may cause improper training. In this case, you should consider putting something rough to increase friction.
Precautions to Make Note Of
There aren’t any major precautions to make note of when using a hand strengthener, as there isn’t much risk involved. The main thing you should look out for is a proper exercise regime: you shouldn’t use hand strengtheners that are too strong, nor you should over-train your arms if you’re not used to. In fact, this could lead to serious injuries to your forearms and fingers, preventing you from full recovery or going to adventure (which is very sad!).
Questions and Answers About hand strengtheners for beginners
What are some of the best hand strengthener exercises?
Here are some of the best grip strength exercises: hold a soft ball and squeeze it for a few seconds, then release. Repeat it from 10 to 15 times for each hand. Do it three times a week, and let pass 48 hours between each session. Please, note that you shouldn’t do this exercise when your thumb joint is damaged. You can also practice grip strength with a hand strengthener by pulling for 3 seconds and releasing at the same pace. Reps are the same.
Do grip strengtheners really work?
Yes, grip strengtheners really work. Many people report better strength in their forearms after following a training regime. Of course, results may vary from person to person, and it takes time to see improvements. The secret is to keep exercising without over exaggerating.
How often should you use a grip strengthener?
You shouldn’t use a hand strengthener more than three times a week. Exceeding may cause injuries or even worsen the hand/forearm condition in case of rehab. If you feel you need to increase your exercise regime, it’s always best to contact your personal trainer or medic.
Which is the best hand strengthener for arthritis?
There isn’t one best hand strengthener for arthritis, as lots of hand exercisers can help those dealing with arthritis! The worst thing you can do if you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis is not moving your hands. In this scenario, an exercise regime that relies on the usage of hand strengtheners can provide great benefits to this chronic condition.
If you’re dealing with this severe condition, please consult a medic and start following a proper training routine.
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