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Having a powerful grip is one of the most beneficial attributes any athlete can have, but it’s often the most neglected. Grip strengtheners can help you improve in just about every sport imaginable, from swinging a tennis racket to holding a heavy deadlift in powerlifting. There are a few different ways to do it, but most commonly, grip training involves squeezing against some resistance.
A stronger grip thanks to a grip strengthener can even help regular people who aren’t athletes perform day-to-day tasks, like opening heavy doors, carrying luggage, grabbing the groceries, or the ever-impressive opening of a tough jar lid. While most people don’t take the time to work on their grip, it is pretty simple to do — you don’t even have to go to the gym to train with most grip strengthening products. We looked around and found the best grip strengtheners on the market today.
Best Grip Strengtheners
Best Grip Strengthener Overall
Grip is involved in nearly every exercise in some way or another, and often it can be the limiting factor (though you may not even realize it). Having a strong grip isn’t just helpful for lifting or sports, it’s a good strength to have for life. If you want to be the person everyone hands that extra-tight pickle jar to open, then grab our pick for best grip strengthener overall and get squeezing.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These grip trainers combine old-school aesthetics and toughness with modern materials for a high-quality gripper that’s built to last. Living.Fit makes these with carbon steel springs so that the resistance is the same on the 1,000th squeeze as it is on the first. The springs are also less prone to squeaking like you might experience on some other grippers, which can be extremely annoying and make you less likely to use them.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
Also, we really like how secure these are in the hand because of the knurled, non-slip grip so you can focus on squeezing. You’ll need that grip, because these start out with 100 pounds of resistance, so they may not be great for beginners. Once that becomes too easy, you’ll have a wide range of resistances to work through, but the jumps are in 50-pound increments, so make sure you’re ready before moving up.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
These are significantly less expensive than similar options.
You can use these to achieve a seriously strong grip with resistance up to 250 pounds.
The knurled handles feel like a barbell so they might have better transfer to lifting.
Cons
The knurling might be too abrasive if you have sensitive skin.
Because of the high starting weight, these might not be ideal for beginners.
There are only four resistance levels to select from and the jumps are pretty big.
If you’re looking to make some serious grip strength gains, the Living.Fit Grip Strengtheners will always have something for you to work toward since the resistance goes up to 250 pounds, and you can purchase the four levels one at a time as you progress.
Best Finger Grip Strengthener
Finger strength is often even more forgotten than general grip strength, and it shouldn’t be. It’s not just for those who need it specifically, such as rock climbers or professional thumb wrestlers — it can play an important role in all sports. To help with this often lagging area of strength, IronMind has the perfect solution in their Two Finger Utility Gripper.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
The last thing you want are fingers slipping off during a deadlift PR attempt. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper, or IMTUG, allows you to train two fingers at a time and may also be useful for rehab or preventing injuries. This gripper may not be the most conventional, but it works to target the fingers most commonly used in gripping — the index, middle, and thumb. Using this in tandem with a whole hand grip strengthener is a surefire way to develop your grip to its maximum potential.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
This unique grip strengthener focuses on developing the gripping power of two fingers at a time. Available in seven different difficulty levels, the IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper can help you reach your max grip potential.
The IMTUG is small enough to fit into your pocket, so you can take it anywhere. The gripper itself is made from airplane-grade aluminum with ergonomically designed handles and patented GR8 springs to last squeeze after squeeze. Because of the high-quality springs, the resistance won’t decrease over time so you can continue to use these for many years. The different levels allow you to train not only your index and middle fingers, but your ring and pinky fingers with the lower-difficulty grippers.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Resistance Range: 1-7
Adjustable: No
Price: $29.95 each
Pros
This ergonomic gripper works specifically on finger strength, letting you train different parts of your hand.
It may help reinvigorate your grip training routine by introducing some variety.
The deep-cut knurling provides ample grip so the IMTUG stays in place during training.
Cons
The lack of padding and use of knurling on the handles here may cause discomfort. If you have sensitive skin it may be helpful to find some silicone-handled grippers instead.
These are a niche product and don’t have much utility aside from improving finger strength.
This gripper doesn’t have the capability for adjustable resistance.
The IMTUG is a unique product, but it does have an important role in improving finger strength as well as overall grip. Just as you may do partial deadlifts (like rack pulls) to improve your deadlift lockout, you can focus on bringing up lagging digits with the Two Finger Utility Gripper for a more complete and stronger grip.
Best Reverse Grip Strengthener
Reverse grip strengthening is another forgotten aspect of full-body strength. Just like doing endless bench press and no back work can result in rounded forward shoulders and an unbalanced appearance, doing tons of repetitive gripping without doing the reverse can result in sometimes uncomfortable imbalances. Our pick for best reverse grip strengthener is the solution.
Xtensor Grip Strengthener
Finger extension is an easy way to quickly accumulate more stimulation for forearm growth without performing typical forearm exercises. The device fits around the wrist with bands attached to each finger and the thumb, and it works to train the opposite of most other grip tools by training the extension rather than flexion of the fingers. The ability to adjust the resistance on each finger simply by placing the band closer or further away from your fingers is a nice touch.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We like the knurled handles to help build thick skin and thicker forearm muscles so you can grip whatever is in your way. Doing some yard work and need to move stones? No worries. Need to help a friend move because you’re the strongest person they know (we’ve all been there)? You’re not dropping that TV. Training with these grip strength trainers is easy too since the resistance is labeled in high-contrast on the bottom of each for quick identification. Also, they won’t wear out thanks to robust carbon steel springs and high-quality aluminum handles.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
You don’t have to strain to tell what the resistance is of each gripper thanks to the clear markings on the bottom of each one.
These are budget-friendly and you can pick them up one at a time to add to your collection over time.
The heavy-duty materials combined with high resistance levels make for a tough product that’s built to last — even with daily use.
Cons
These might not be great for improving finger or hand dexterity or working through carpal tunnel since the resistance is so high. A stress relief ball or light-duty gripper might be better for that.
You can’t really train individual finger exercises with these hand grippers.
The resistance is fixed and not adjustable so you need to keep track of multiple grippers if you want to vary the difficulty of your workouts.
These rough and ready grippers are made from high-quality aluminum with durable carbon steel springs so they won’t start squeaking on you after a few squeezes. The knurling helps to keep your grip on them solid while also developing tougher skin. They do start out more challenging than most other grippers, though, so make sure you bring your A-game to training.
Best Grip Strengthener with a Barbell
Adding a bigger grip extension to your barbell while lifting can help build up grip strength while also adding extra stress to your arm workouts for enhanced muscle growth. If you’re training for strongman events, or just looking to mix it up a bit with some different feels for the barbell or dumbbells, then this pick might be for you.
Fat Gripz Extreme
The Fat Gripz Extreme are three-quarters of an inch larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and are designed to convert any barbell into a thicker bar for better muscle stimulation in the arms and hands. Constantly squeezing the Fat Grip will engage more muscles in your forearms, hands, and arms. One downside is that you won’t be able to lift as much weight, so those who are looking to get a lot stronger in areas other than grip may want to limit their Fat Grip use to just grip training days, light sessions, or deload weeks.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
These are great for targeting weak links that you may be able to power through with a normal-sized bar. While working to keep the bar in your hands, you’ll have to move slower through the range of motion, which can highlight weak points and positions. Fat Gripz can be used for tons of exercises from dumbbell movements to deadlifts, to rows, and even pull-ups for a different feel and stimulation. They’re made not to compress, even under extreme loads.
Specs
Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: No
Price: $33.95 each
Pros
You can change things up a bit without having to buy brand-new equipment and bars. All you have to do is slap these on any bar or dumbbell, and you’re ready to lift.
These are great for anyone who competes in strength sports, especially strongman.
Fat Gripz can wrap around barbells, dumbbells, pull-up bars, and cable attachments so the uses are practically limitless.
Cons
Fat Gripz recommends starting with the regular sized grips before moving on to the extreme series, especially if you’re a beginner.
These aren’t standalone grip trainers and require other pieces of equipment (barbell, dumbbell, etc.) to make use of them.
You can’t use these anywhere — in the office, airport, class, etc.— like you can other grip trainers.
Making efficient use of your time is paramount when you’re on a tight schedule, and adding in grip training can sometimes fall by the wayside in favor of larger muscle groups. Adding a pair of Fat Gripz to your training can help you incorporate grip work into your strength training and might even help you spot some weak links in your training that need to be addressed.
Best Grip Strengthener on Amazon
Sometimes convenience and quickness are the most important things. And often Amazon has the answer you’ve been searching for in that department thanks to its speedy delivery options. In the case of grip strengtheners, Amazon offers this great option that’s accessible via free Prime shipping.
GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener
If you’re itching to start your grip training routine, these can be at your door in two days via Prime Shipping in most cases. The GD Iron Grip utilizes a unique design to strengthen the grip with ultra-compressed steel springs to resist from 55 pounds all the way up to 198 pounds so they’re as beginner-friendly as they are challenging for advanced grip trainees. The handles are knurled similar to a barbell, but cut more moderately, so they don’t cause as much discomfort for those who aren’t used to knurling while still providing great grip. We like that the handles are longer than most grip trainers so you can really grip with your ring finger and pinky.
GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener
The GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener is an A-frame design that uses a solid steel compression spring to resist from 55 to 198 pounds when squeezing the two handles together. The range of motion is over a full inch and the handles are knurled similar to a barbell.
The resistance is easily adjustable via a knob, as is the range of motion with a lever, so you can focus on progressing through different ranges of hand closure. GD boasts that their product is completely silent without any squeaking like you may get on a pair of Captains of Crush (CoC) after a while. The easy adjustability of these grip strengtheners allows you to jump quickly from maximum effort closes to timed holds and over to reps for endurance seamlessly. These are pricier than many other grip devices, but if you value versatility, then the cost may be worth it.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 55-198 pounds
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $79.90 each
Pros
Silent movement and resistance allow you to train anywhere without sounding like you’re smuggling a mouse from all the squeaking.
You can adjust the resistance as well as the range of motion to target different grip areas and change your forearm/grip exercise routine up.
These come with a five-year warranty so you can be confident in the durability of this gripper.
Cons
The GD Iron Grip 90 is on the more expensive side so they’re not really budget-friendly.
At a pound and a half, it’s not the most lightweight and easily portable grip trainer.
The starting resistance of 55 pounds is likely too heavy to use for rehab or beginners.
If you value versatility and have the extra cash to spend to get it, these are a great choice. Being able to get them delivered through Prime’s quick shipping network is all the more reason to spring for the GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener.
Best Forearm Grip Strengthener
Having a great grip is awesome, but there’s something about having big, strong forearms that can be even more appealing. If you’re trying to get on Popeye’s level of forearms, then you might want to grab a pair of Fat Gripz Extreme, our pick for best forearm grip strengthener.
Fat Gripz Extreme
We’re big fans of the forearm burn that you can achieve with the Fat Gripz Extreme series because they can convert nearly any bar or dumbbell into a grip surface that’s more than twice as thick. Measuring 2.75 inches, they’re 0.75 inches larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and made for even more forearm-blasting workouts. All you have to do is slap these on whatever you’re working with and get gripping.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
You don’t have to limit yourself to a barbell with these though. We like to slide them onto dumbbells, cable attachments, and pull-up or chin-up bars. They’re also helpful for increasing comfort when you’re doing dips, since the larger surface area to grip tends to be easier on the wrists and hands. Since your grip will likely be the limiting factor in your lifts when training with Fat Gripz, you will have to go lighter so these might not be an optimal choice during a strength-building phase. We like to incorporate them on deload weeks, hypertrophy blocks, and lighter sessions where we can really focus on squeezing rather than moving weight.
Specs
Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: No
Price: $33.95 each
Pros
You can add a forearm/grip focus to your workouts without having to add extra exercises that take time and effort away from your routine.
These can help distribute the weight over a larger area, and ease some of the pain you may experience with certain exercises or bars.
These are rubber and easy to travel with and take on the go so you can train grip anywhere.
Cons
These are likely too large and challenging for beginner grip trainers. It may be better to start off with the regular Fat Gripz.
There are better options for improving strictly grip strength if that is all you’re focused on. These are more focused on forearm growth with grip strength as a secondary outcome.
Fat Gripz Extreme don’t work on their own and you can’t use them anywhere since they need to be attached to a weight.
The Fat Gripz Extreme can help kick your forearm growth up to the next level, and are great if you rely on grip as part of your sport or profession. If you’re a beginner, it may be best to start out with the standard Fat Gripz, but if you’re looking for an extra challenge, these are the way to go.
Best Wrist Grip Strengthener
When training grip, most people focus on forearm strength and hand strength, but the forgotten link is what connects the two — the wrist. If you’re deadlifting and your legs and glutes are strong enough, but your low back isn’t up to the task, then you’re likely missing the lift or risking injury. Same goes for the wrist when you’re bench pressing. You can help tighten up that weak link with our pick for best wrist grip strengthener, the Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
The Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind is simple in design, almost like a yo-yo, that allows you to train both concentric and eccentric movements of the wrist. This portable tool is a cord wrapped around an omni-directional base, which you can wind up to train in one direction and then lower under control to train in the other direction. The twisting action is similar to opening a well-sealed pickle jar, which is why we’re all training grip strength anyway — to open any jar we come across with ease. Be warned though, your forearms will be burning in no time.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
Don’t have any weak links in your grip by strengthening your wrists with the Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener from IronMind. This unique grip device allows you to train with just about anything for weight and makes gains using both concentric and eccentric movement.
We like that the Twist Yo Wrist can use pretty much anything for resistance. Simply wrap the rock climbing-grade accessory cord around a weight plate, milk jug, resistance band, or anything else you like and secure the small snap clip, then you’re ready to twist. The only thing we don’t like is that the handles are made of plastic so it can become slippery when you’re sweating — even with the scored knurling. For the price, it would be nice to have aluminum instead.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Plastic
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $56.95
Pros
Twist Yo Wrist can work your shoulders too in addition to grip and forearm training.
The unique twisting motion helps to hit different areas of the forearm and wrist than traditional grippers.
You can use pretty much anything heavy as resistance so you’re not limited to working out in one area or with certain equipment.
Cons
The plastic handles can be tough to hang on to when you’re sweating a bunch.
While the smaller handles create more of a challenge for the wrist and fingers, larger handles might be better for purely grip training.
This is more expensive than some other grip strengthening tools on this list.
The Twist Yo Wrist is unique, even in the grip training space, and something that seems more akin to a gadget or toy at first glance. After you use it once, you’ll realize this thing’s the real deal — it can give you a serious forearm pump, and improve your wrist strength and stability. Some people have even commented that it helps with elbow tendonitis.
Best Core and Grip Strengthener
Strongman-style training has become more popular recently, and for good reason. There are tons of benefits from doing these sorts of unconventional exercises, and they tend to carry over to real life. The farmer’s walk is one example that gymgoers have adopted from strongman. You don’t need crazy implements to do farmer’s carries, just our pick for best core and grip strengthener — Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles
Farmer’s walks are a great full-body exercise to build core strength and grip strength at the same time, while also working out your legs. The compact straps from Spud Inc allow you to ramp up your training above walking with dumbbells, to using plates. We like that you can throw these in your gym bag and to use when needed since they’re not big and bulky (though we’re trying to be). The Traveling Farmer Walk Handles are about the size of an axle bar, so they’re pretty thick — a normal barbell is 28mm around while the handles on these are about 38mm.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmer Walk Handles
Pack these two durable nylon straps in your gym bag and use any pair of plates for grip-building farmer walks. You can train your core, legs, and grip all at once with these convenient farmers handles from Spud Inc.
The straps themselves can be looped through Olympic plates of any weight, depending on strength and goals. Just hold the handles, and take the plates for a walk. They have a convenient slide buckle that allows you to customize your height preference too. You have to stabilize the weights while walking which activates the core in all directions, getting a complete core burn with just a few carries.
Of all the strengtheners on this list, these are the most practical and likely offer the most carryover to everyday life. You’ll be carrying all the groceries in one trip in no time. The biggest downside is the time and effort it takes to set these up, especially if you’re pretty strong and have to load up multiple plates. They can also bang against your legs and leave some nasty bruises if you’re not careful since the straps aren’t fixed or rigid like full-blown farmer’s carry implements are.
Specs
Handle Material: Rubber coated with a steel-core
Resistance Range: 300+ pounds
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $69.99 per pair
Pros
These train grip while also getting a core and leg workout in essentially making these three exercises in one.
The soft and somewhat unruly nature of the nylon straps makes these great for strongman competitors who want to train carries without going super heavy.
Carrying things is a part of life, and these will help you improve that skill.
Cons
There are less complex ways to train your grip directly if you’re solely focused on grip.
If you’re not careful when picking the weights up they might smack into your ankles or legs.
It takes more effort and time to set these up than other grip trainers, especially if you’re loading up multiple plates.
The Spud Inc Farmers Walk Handles offer a simple and budget-friendly solution to full-sized, barbell-style farmer’s walk implements that can cost hundreds of dollars. This product is portable, easy to set up, and can use any Olympic plates or weights you can pass the loop through. If you want to blast your core while training your grip, these are the way to go.
Best Old-School Grip Strengthener
The legends that inspired us to get into the gym seemed to have a simpler way of doing things, and there’s something to be said about the old-school method of getting strong. Nostalgia aside, the Living.Fit Grip Strengthener brings modern construction to an old-school design for a standout product.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
When you first look at these grip trainers, they may not seem like anything special, but the unassuming looks will fade away when you realize how challenging these hand grip exercisers are. Despite being new, they pull from a tried and true design while incorporating modern improvements like high-quality, rust-resistant, and lightweight aluminum with silky smooth carbon steel springs. The resistance does start at 100 pounds, so you’ll already have to have a pretty decent grip, but Living.Fit makes up to 250 pounds of resistance, so you won’t outgrow these anytime soon.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We particularly like how these are marked clearly on the bottom so you can tell the resistance right away. The old-school inspiration is most apparent in the handle design with knurling akin to that of a barbell so you can build up some tough skin and not worry about these slipping out of your hand.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
These grippers combine the best of old-school design with modern materials like aluminum and carbon steel for a durable and high-quality product.
You don’t have to squint or find just the right angle to figure out what the resistance is thanks to high-contrast markings.
The knurling helps to keep these grippers firmly in your hand throughout training.
Cons
These don’t feature an adjustable hand grip or resistance.
The purpose of these is to increase grip strength and forearm muscle strength exclusively. They don’t double as useful for injury recovery or use in physical therapy.
If you haven’t trained your grip before, then the resistance may be too much to start with.
The ways of old-school training may have gone by the wayside with modern technology, but some things stand the test of time. Having a strong grip and big forearms has endured as a sign of power and strength. Take your grip from floppy fish to vice grip and beyond with old-school-inspired hand grippers.
Benefits of Grip Strengtheners
Grip strengtheners can be quite beneficial for how inexpensive they generally are. Aside from the obvious benefit of a stronger grip, they can also help with fidgeting if you’re the type of person who needs to keep your hands busy. They may indirectly lead to improved performance in the gym and better workouts overall, as well. Let’s talk a bit more about each point.
Stronger Grip
This one is pretty straightforward. Grip strengtheners have the benefit of improving your grip strength if you use them properly and train with them just as you would any other muscle or body part. If you want to become a gripmaster or compete in any strength sports like weightlifting, powerlifting, or especially strongman then you definitely will want to pick a grip trainer up and use it as soon as you can. Grip is imperative in those sports — yes, even if you use a hookgrip during weightlifting.
Fidgeting
If you’ve just come home or gotten to work and you’ve still got pre-workout coursing through you then you may feel a bit fidgety. Having a grip strengthener can be a great way to let out some energy. If you’re feeling stressed it can be helpful to squeeze a grip strengthener and let out some of that pent-up nervous energy.
Better Workouts In the Gym
Having an improved grip doesn’t only mean improving the maximum squeezing force you can apply, but also the amount of time you can apply force for. In other words, grip strengtheners can help you train grip endurance as well as strength. If you’ve ever suffered through a high-volume back workout then you may know the feeling of your grip feeling like it’s about to fail instead of your back muscles. Sure, you can use lifting straps, but they require a bit of grip strength too. Grip weakness can be a worry of the past if you dedicate yourself to improving your grip.
How We Chose the Best Grip Strengtheners
Many different factors come into play when deciding what the best grip strengtheners are. Since there are so many reasons for training grip, we have to find some common ground to compare the products. The type of grip that you hold onto when actually using the trainers is an important factor, whether it’s rubber, steel, or something else. The amount of resistance and what provides that resistance is another consideration. It’s also important to consider whether the device trains finger contractors or extensors.
Image via Shutterstock / Andrey Burmakin
Are you squeezing against a spring, holding weight plates, or another type of resistance? These factors all come into play. Finally, the range of motion (ROM) with which you train your grip with any given product is considered. Different products offer varying ranges of motion, and sometimes change the ROM to alter the resistance, which can lead to different results.
Grip
Grip is, without a doubt, one of the most important factors to consider when deciding between grip strengtheners. The first thing to be aware of is the texture of the handles. Occasionally, it won’t be super obvious. It may look smooth, but when you zoom in on the photos or get it in your hand, you’ll notice that it has knurling similar to a barbell. Most commonly you’ll find rubber, metal, or a combination of both for the grips. We take different needs into consideration when making our picks, which is why you’ll see a bunch of different options.
Resistance
Resistance may seem like a somewhat obvious factor to account for, but it’s an important one nonetheless. If you’re leaning toward a grip strengthener that features varying resistance, then it should be beneficial for beginners and advanced athletes alike. When selecting our picks, we’re mindful of the resistance that products have, which is why you may not see grippers that focus on endless repetitions ranked highly, because that’s not ideal for building strength, or increasing grip power, though it is great for endurance.
Range of Motion
If we assume that the person buying a grip strengthener knows how much resistance they need, the range of motion (ROM) that a gripper allows is a key consideration to be aware of. Some grip strengtheners that can modify their resistance do so at the expense of some of their range of motion. Those types of grippers may not rank as highly because they sacrifice range of motion for higher resistance, which might not be the best path to the most gains. Grippers that focus on keeping a full range of motion will generally rank better than those that compromise range of motion for resistance.
How Much Do Grip Strengtheners Cost?
Grip strengtheners by themselves are one of the more inexpensive strength gear purchases you’ll make. They cost anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on the type you purchase. Adjustable grippers tend to cost more due to their variable resistance. You can also purchase grippers in sets with multiple difficulty levels to save some money.
The grip strengtheners on this list range from around $20 to $85 individually with sets of varying difficulty priced between about $66 and $240. On average, you can expect to spend somewhere in the realm of $30 to $50 on a dedicated gripper, and $60 to $100 for specialty or adjustable grip trainers.
What to Consider Before Buying Grip Strengtheners
All of the products on this list are meant to improve grip strength, but they’re all very different. Just as with all strength pursuits, there are many different ways to accomplish the goal, and you have to find out what works best for you. There are some important things to consider before buying a grip strengthener. You should identify your goals, and know why you want to build your grip in the first place. Along with that, the way you build your grip will be determined by your goals.
Once you determine your goals, it should be easier to figure out whether you’re looking to build true grip strength, or grip and forearm strength for overall athletic performance. If you can answer these questions with confidence, you’ll be able to figure out which product, or sometimes multiple products, best suit your needs.
Goals
The first thing to do before you purchase anything is to figure out why you’re looking to buy that type of product in the first place. Sometimes, the reasoning will be pretty straightforward, such as for those who compete in a specific sport, but other times it may not be so obvious.
When determining your goals, you should identify the main thing you are seeking to accomplish with the purchase of the product. If you want to improve in strongman, then getting something that focuses on training grip for maximum strength may be a good idea over something that’s going to focus more on forearm hypertrophy. Conversely, if your goal is to have bigger forearms and cosplay as Popeye, then a straightforward grip strengthener is likely not for you.
Shutterstock/AlekseiPotov
Those looking to improve athletic performance overall may need to try a few different products or use them together for a more complete grip training. Any athlete who swings something needs to have not only a strong grip to ensure the implement doesn’t rotate when it’s not supposed to, but a strong forearm to deliver and generate force. Athletes like tennis players, baseball players, cricket players, and golfers will benefit from products that improve grip, wrist, and forearm strength, so they may need to use a few products to get a complete training stimulus.
Resistance
A common mistake when considering a grip strengthener is buying one with too much resistance, and assuming you’ll grow into it. It’s better to start lighter and progress more slowly and steadily. Being able to do 15 reps with a full range of motion with a lighter resistance is going to be way more beneficial than doing four or five partial reps with heavier resistance.
Range of Motion
Before making a purchase, always ensure that you check if the range of motion stays the same when the resistance is changed. The ROM for most grip strengtheners on the market is around two to three inches from start to finish of the movement. Many options available highlight a static range of motion across all resistance ranges. If you’re unsure, the design may provide some clues.
Image via Shutterstock / Alexander Lukatskiy
If the resistance is changed by moving the point of flexion on the coil or spring of a gripper, then the ROM was likely compromised. If the resistance is changed by moving the angle that the coil or spring is compressed, it’s likely the range of motion was left unchanged.
Grip vs. Forearm Strengtheners
Once you’ve defined your goals and reasoning for purchasing a product, the next step is to determine what type of strength you need to build. If you’ve determined that you need to improve your forearm strength, then selecting one of the grip strengtheners that focuses on forearm strength and hypertrophy is a good option.
Image via Shutterstock / Ruslan Shugushev
If your goal is to have a stronger grip because you compete in strongman or powerlifting and need to hold onto heavy deadlifts or implements, then a pure grip strengthener is most likely what you need. There are also products that focus on finger strengthening with just one or a couple of fingers at once. Bowlers or baseball pitchers, for example, may want to focus on finger strength because it has a direct carryover to competing in their sport. Just be mindful of the different emphases that different products have on aspects of grip or hypertrophy.
Different Types of Grip Strengtheners
There are a variety of different grip strengthener types, and selecting the right one can go a long way in helping you reach your goals. If you want to improve your grip for everyday life, then it might be best to pick an option like farmer’s carry straps or a twisting trainer.
Squeeze
The most common type of grip strengtheners are ones that you can squeeze. Pursuit of the ultimate crushing power might lend itself more to squeeze trainers like the famous IronMind Captains of Crush hand grippers or their modern counterparts.
Extenders
There are options for focusing on finger strength or muscular balance like extenders and finger grippers too. It’s often best to have a few different grip strengtheners so you can achieve a complete grip and forearm workout just like training any other body part.
Others
There are also a ton of innovative types of grip strengtheners like ones that you can roll to focus more on forearm burn. Farmer’s carry straps and handles are a carryover from strongman training that strengthens your grip and forearms, too.
How to Use Grip Strengtheners
It may not seem like there’s much to using a grip trainer, but you should treat grip training just like any other muscle or body part. The forearms and muscles of the hand often recover much faster than other muscles and can handle significantly higher volume because they are meant to be used pretty much all day every day. (1)
Sets and Reps
Growing the forearms and strengthening your grip can usually be done at the same time by following a well-made routine, like any muscle group. When you first start out, aim for two-to-four sets per session and two sessions per week. Each of those sets should have somewhere between 10 and 30 reps. (1) We know that’s a wide range, but err on the lower side for more strength and the higher side for hypertrophy and endurance.
Form
When using a gripper, make sure to open it as wide as possible and hold it fully closed for a full second each rep. If you’re using a roller, make sure each twist is deliberate and not simply a race to the finish. Farmer’s carry implements are a bit different. We like to move with quick, strong steps while ensuring that our core is tight and our hands are gripping as tightly as possible. Try to keep all of your fingers locked closed around the handle for the whole time. If you find your pinky starting to come off the handle, it’s time to drop the weight and focus more on squeezing the handle and stabilizing your core rather than simply the weight you’re moving.
Frequency
Once you’ve become more advanced, you can increase the frequency to three or even four sessions per week (always with a day between) and you should alternate the rep schemes between high, medium, and low reps with more resistance on the low reps days.
Final Word
Whether you’re looking to perform better in the gym, on the field, or on the court, having a strong grip can pay dividends in athletic performance. Being strong is never a weakness, and having a strong grip can be beneficial for life, as well as athletic performance. There’s even evidence to suggest that hand grip strength may be useful in predicting cardiovascular health. (2)
Improving your grip doesn’t have to interrupt your normal training routine, but it can become an integral part of it with some of the grip strengtheners in this article. Just remember to have an accurate assessment of your current grip strength and clear goals before committing to a particular option, and you’ll have a King Kong grip in no time.
FAQs
Do you still need a strong grip even if you don’t compete in anything?It’s hard to imagine a situation where being stronger would be a detriment. Being well-rounded in your muscular development, even if you just go to the gym because you like to workout, or do it to stay healthy, is important. Having weak links will inevitably lead to imbalance, which can cause injury or pain.
Another important note is that grip can be a limiting factor for some people when it comes to certain exercises like rows, pull-ups, or deadlifts. Without a strong grip, you may not be making the most of your available strength and getting the best gains possible.
What is the best grip strengthenerThere are a lot of ways to approach improving your grip strength, and different approaches work for different people. The one grip strengthener that has stood the test of time and been used by athletes of all disciplines for decades is the Captains of Crush Grip Strengthener. It’s affordable, can easily fit in your pocket, and will seriously test your grip.
How much do grip strengtheners cost?Individual grippers can cost anywhere from $25 to around $85, depending on the features such as adjustability, comfort grips, and more. Sets of pre-calibrated grip trainers can be more pricey and cost $65 to $240. They’re worth it to train in different rep ranges at varying difficulties, especially for strength athletes.
What are some other benefits of grip strength?Grip strength has actually been well-studied, and there are some surprising benefits and correlations that have been found. Grip strength can actually be used to reliably predict cardiovascular risk (1), and those with better grip have been shown to have a lower risk of adverse cardiac events.
On the sports performance side, researchers found that those with better grip strength could move heavier weights with less effort than those with lower grip strength on a barbell-like apparatus (2). It seems fairly clear that there are a wide range of benefits to a stronger grip outside of just holding things better.
After I start using grip strengtheners, how long will it take for my grip to improve?It’s hard to give a definite answer to a question like this, but most people will start to see improvements in a few weeks with just a few sessions per week. As long as you’re staying consistent and putting an honest effort in, you can expect to see good results. Remember that no matter how awesome the piece of equipment is, it’s only as good as the effort you put in. The products aren’t magic and can’t do the work for you, but they can certainly help target what you’re trying to achieve better.
References
https://rpstrength.com/expert-advice/forearm-growth-training-tips
Mearns B. M. (2015). Risk factors: Hand grip strength predicts cardiovascular risk. Nature reviews. Cardiology, 12(7), 379. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2015.84
Ambike S, Paclet F, Zatsiorsky VM, Latash ML. Factors affecting grip force: anatomy, mechanics, and referent configurations. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Apr;232(4):1219-31. doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-3838-8. Epub 2014 Jan 31. PMID: 24477762; PMCID: PMC4013148.
Having a powerful grip is one of the most beneficial attributes any athlete can have, but it’s often the most neglected. Grip strengtheners can help you improve in just about every sport imaginable, from swinging a tennis racket to holding a heavy deadlift in powerlifting. There are a few different ways to do it, but most commonly, grip training involves squeezing against some resistance.
A stronger grip thanks to a grip strengthener can even help regular people who aren’t athletes perform day-to-day tasks, like opening heavy doors, carrying luggage, grabbing the groceries, or the ever-impressive opening of a tough jar lid. While most people don’t take the time to work on their grip, it is pretty simple to do — you don’t even have to go to the gym to train with most grip strengthening products. We looked around and found the best grip strengtheners on the market today.
Best Grip Strengtheners
Best Grip Strengthener Overall
Grip is involved in nearly every exercise in some way or another, and often it can be the limiting factor (though you may not even realize it). Having a strong grip isn’t just helpful for lifting or sports, it’s a good strength to have for life. If you want to be the person everyone hands that extra-tight pickle jar to open, then grab our pick for best grip strengthener overall and get squeezing.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These grip trainers combine old-school aesthetics and toughness with modern materials for a high-quality gripper that’s built to last. Living.Fit makes these with carbon steel springs so that the resistance is the same on the 1,000th squeeze as it is on the first. The springs are also less prone to squeaking like you might experience on some other grippers, which can be extremely annoying and make you less likely to use them.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
Also, we really like how secure these are in the hand because of the knurled, non-slip grip so you can focus on squeezing. You’ll need that grip, because these start out with 100 pounds of resistance, so they may not be great for beginners. Once that becomes too easy, you’ll have a wide range of resistances to work through, but the jumps are in 50-pound increments, so make sure you’re ready before moving up.
Specs
Best Finger Grip Strengthener
Finger strength is often even more forgotten than general grip strength, and it shouldn’t be. It’s not just for those who need it specifically, such as rock climbers or professional thumb wrestlers — it can play an important role in all sports. To help with this often lagging area of strength, IronMind has the perfect solution in their Two Finger Utility Gripper.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
The last thing you want are fingers slipping off during a deadlift PR attempt. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper, or IMTUG, allows you to train two fingers at a time and may also be useful for rehab or preventing injuries. This gripper may not be the most conventional, but it works to target the fingers most commonly used in gripping — the index, middle, and thumb. Using this in tandem with a whole hand grip strengthener is a surefire way to develop your grip to its maximum potential.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
This unique grip strengthener focuses on developing the gripping power of two fingers at a time. Available in seven different difficulty levels, the IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper can help you reach your max grip potential.
The IMTUG is small enough to fit into your pocket, so you can take it anywhere. The gripper itself is made from airplane-grade aluminum with ergonomically designed handles and patented GR8 springs to last squeeze after squeeze. Because of the high-quality springs, the resistance won’t decrease over time so you can continue to use these for many years. The different levels allow you to train not only your index and middle fingers, but your ring and pinky fingers with the lower-difficulty grippers.
Specs
Best Reverse Grip Strengthener
Reverse grip strengthening is another forgotten aspect of full-body strength. Just like doing endless bench press and no back work can result in rounded forward shoulders and an unbalanced appearance, doing tons of repetitive gripping without doing the reverse can result in sometimes uncomfortable imbalances. Our pick for best reverse grip strengthener is the solution.
Xtensor Grip Strengthener
Finger extension is an easy way to quickly accumulate more stimulation for forearm growth without performing typical forearm exercises. The device fits around the wrist with bands attached to each finger and the thumb, and it works to train the opposite of most other grip tools by training the extension rather than flexion of the fingers. The ability to adjust the resistance on each finger simply by placing the band closer or further away from your fingers is a nice touch.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We like the knurled handles to help build thick skin and thicker forearm muscles so you can grip whatever is in your way. Doing some yard work and need to move stones? No worries. Need to help a friend move because you’re the strongest person they know (we’ve all been there)? You’re not dropping that TV. Training with these grip strength trainers is easy too since the resistance is labeled in high-contrast on the bottom of each for quick identification. Also, they won’t wear out thanks to robust carbon steel springs and high-quality aluminum handles.
Specs
Best Grip Strengthener with a Barbell
Adding a bigger grip extension to your barbell while lifting can help build up grip strength while also adding extra stress to your arm workouts for enhanced muscle growth. If you’re training for strongman events, or just looking to mix it up a bit with some different feels for the barbell or dumbbells, then this pick might be for you.
Fat Gripz Extreme
The Fat Gripz Extreme are three-quarters of an inch larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and are designed to convert any barbell into a thicker bar for better muscle stimulation in the arms and hands. Constantly squeezing the Fat Grip will engage more muscles in your forearms, hands, and arms. One downside is that you won’t be able to lift as much weight, so those who are looking to get a lot stronger in areas other than grip may want to limit their Fat Grip use to just grip training days, light sessions, or deload weeks.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
These are great for targeting weak links that you may be able to power through with a normal-sized bar. While working to keep the bar in your hands, you’ll have to move slower through the range of motion, which can highlight weak points and positions. Fat Gripz can be used for tons of exercises from dumbbell movements to deadlifts, to rows, and even pull-ups for a different feel and stimulation. They’re made not to compress, even under extreme loads.
Specs
Best Grip Strengthener on Amazon
Sometimes convenience and quickness are the most important things. And often Amazon has the answer you’ve been searching for in that department thanks to its speedy delivery options. In the case of grip strengtheners, Amazon offers this great option that’s accessible via free Prime shipping.
GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener
If you’re itching to start your grip training routine, these can be at your door in two days via Prime Shipping in most cases. The GD Iron Grip utilizes a unique design to strengthen the grip with ultra-compressed steel springs to resist from 55 pounds all the way up to 198 pounds so they’re as beginner-friendly as they are challenging for advanced grip trainees. The handles are knurled similar to a barbell, but cut more moderately, so they don’t cause as much discomfort for those who aren’t used to knurling while still providing great grip. We like that the handles are longer than most grip trainers so you can really grip with your ring finger and pinky.
GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener
The GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener is an A-frame design that uses a solid steel compression spring to resist from 55 to 198 pounds when squeezing the two handles together. The range of motion is over a full inch and the handles are knurled similar to a barbell.
The resistance is easily adjustable via a knob, as is the range of motion with a lever, so you can focus on progressing through different ranges of hand closure. GD boasts that their product is completely silent without any squeaking like you may get on a pair of Captains of Crush (CoC) after a while. The easy adjustability of these grip strengtheners allows you to jump quickly from maximum effort closes to timed holds and over to reps for endurance seamlessly. These are pricier than many other grip devices, but if you value versatility, then the cost may be worth it.
Specs
Best Forearm Grip Strengthener
Having a great grip is awesome, but there’s something about having big, strong forearms that can be even more appealing. If you’re trying to get on Popeye’s level of forearms, then you might want to grab a pair of Fat Gripz Extreme, our pick for best forearm grip strengthener.
Fat Gripz Extreme
We’re big fans of the forearm burn that you can achieve with the Fat Gripz Extreme series because they can convert nearly any bar or dumbbell into a grip surface that’s more than twice as thick. Measuring 2.75 inches, they’re 0.75 inches larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and made for even more forearm-blasting workouts. All you have to do is slap these on whatever you’re working with and get gripping.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
You don’t have to limit yourself to a barbell with these though. We like to slide them onto dumbbells, cable attachments, and pull-up or chin-up bars. They’re also helpful for increasing comfort when you’re doing dips, since the larger surface area to grip tends to be easier on the wrists and hands. Since your grip will likely be the limiting factor in your lifts when training with Fat Gripz, you will have to go lighter so these might not be an optimal choice during a strength-building phase. We like to incorporate them on deload weeks, hypertrophy blocks, and lighter sessions where we can really focus on squeezing rather than moving weight.
Specs
Best Wrist Grip Strengthener
When training grip, most people focus on forearm strength and hand strength, but the forgotten link is what connects the two — the wrist. If you’re deadlifting and your legs and glutes are strong enough, but your low back isn’t up to the task, then you’re likely missing the lift or risking injury. Same goes for the wrist when you’re bench pressing. You can help tighten up that weak link with our pick for best wrist grip strengthener, the Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
The Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind is simple in design, almost like a yo-yo, that allows you to train both concentric and eccentric movements of the wrist. This portable tool is a cord wrapped around an omni-directional base, which you can wind up to train in one direction and then lower under control to train in the other direction. The twisting action is similar to opening a well-sealed pickle jar, which is why we’re all training grip strength anyway — to open any jar we come across with ease. Be warned though, your forearms will be burning in no time.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
Don’t have any weak links in your grip by strengthening your wrists with the Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener from IronMind. This unique grip device allows you to train with just about anything for weight and makes gains using both concentric and eccentric movement.
We like that the Twist Yo Wrist can use pretty much anything for resistance. Simply wrap the rock climbing-grade accessory cord around a weight plate, milk jug, resistance band, or anything else you like and secure the small snap clip, then you’re ready to twist. The only thing we don’t like is that the handles are made of plastic so it can become slippery when you’re sweating — even with the scored knurling. For the price, it would be nice to have aluminum instead.
Specs
Best Core and Grip Strengthener
Strongman-style training has become more popular recently, and for good reason. There are tons of benefits from doing these sorts of unconventional exercises, and they tend to carry over to real life. The farmer’s walk is one example that gymgoers have adopted from strongman. You don’t need crazy implements to do farmer’s carries, just our pick for best core and grip strengthener — Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles
Farmer’s walks are a great full-body exercise to build core strength and grip strength at the same time, while also working out your legs. The compact straps from Spud Inc allow you to ramp up your training above walking with dumbbells, to using plates. We like that you can throw these in your gym bag and to use when needed since they’re not big and bulky (though we’re trying to be). The Traveling Farmer Walk Handles are about the size of an axle bar, so they’re pretty thick — a normal barbell is 28mm around while the handles on these are about 38mm.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmer Walk Handles
Pack these two durable nylon straps in your gym bag and use any pair of plates for grip-building farmer walks. You can train your core, legs, and grip all at once with these convenient farmers handles from Spud Inc.
The straps themselves can be looped through Olympic plates of any weight, depending on strength and goals. Just hold the handles, and take the plates for a walk. They have a convenient slide buckle that allows you to customize your height preference too. You have to stabilize the weights while walking which activates the core in all directions, getting a complete core burn with just a few carries.
Of all the strengtheners on this list, these are the most practical and likely offer the most carryover to everyday life. You’ll be carrying all the groceries in one trip in no time. The biggest downside is the time and effort it takes to set these up, especially if you’re pretty strong and have to load up multiple plates. They can also bang against your legs and leave some nasty bruises if you’re not careful since the straps aren’t fixed or rigid like full-blown farmer’s carry implements are.
Specs
Best Old-School Grip Strengthener
The legends that inspired us to get into the gym seemed to have a simpler way of doing things, and there’s something to be said about the old-school method of getting strong. Nostalgia aside, the Living.Fit Grip Strengthener brings modern construction to an old-school design for a standout product.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
When you first look at these grip trainers, they may not seem like anything special, but the unassuming looks will fade away when you realize how challenging these hand grip exercisers are. Despite being new, they pull...
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A stronger grip thanks to a grip strengthener can even help regular people who aren’t athletes perform day-to-day tasks, like opening heavy doors, carrying luggage, grabbing the groceries, or the ever-impressive opening of a tough jar lid. While most people don’t take the time to work on their grip, it is pretty simple to do — you don’t even have to go to the gym to train with most grip strengthening products. We looked around and found the best grip strengtheners on the market today.
Best Grip Strengtheners
Best Grip Strengthener Overall
Grip is involved in nearly every exercise in some way or another, and often it can be the limiting factor (though you may not even realize it). Having a strong grip isn’t just helpful for lifting or sports, it’s a good strength to have for life. If you want to be the person everyone hands that extra-tight pickle jar to open, then grab our pick for best grip strengthener overall and get squeezing.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These grip trainers combine old-school aesthetics and toughness with modern materials for a high-quality gripper that’s built to last. Living.Fit makes these with carbon steel springs so that the resistance is the same on the 1,000th squeeze as it is on the first. The springs are also less prone to squeaking like you might experience on some other grippers, which can be extremely annoying and make you less likely to use them.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
Also, we really like how secure these are in the hand because of the knurled, non-slip grip so you can focus on squeezing. You’ll need that grip, because these start out with 100 pounds of resistance, so they may not be great for beginners. Once that becomes too easy, you’ll have a wide range of resistances to work through, but the jumps are in 50-pound increments, so make sure you’re ready before moving up.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
These are significantly less expensive than similar options.
You can use these to achieve a seriously strong grip with resistance up to 250 pounds.
The knurled handles feel like a barbell so they might have better transfer to lifting.
Cons
The knurling might be too abrasive if you have sensitive skin.
Because of the high starting weight, these might not be ideal for beginners.
There are only four resistance levels to select from and the jumps are pretty big.
If you’re looking to make some serious grip strength gains, the Living.Fit Grip Strengtheners will always have something for you to work toward since the resistance goes up to 250 pounds, and you can purchase the four levels one at a time as you progress.
Best Finger Grip Strengthener
Finger strength is often even more forgotten than general grip strength, and it shouldn’t be. It’s not just for those who need it specifically, such as rock climbers or professional thumb wrestlers — it can play an important role in all sports. To help with this often lagging area of strength, IronMind has the perfect solution in their Two Finger Utility Gripper.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
The last thing you want are fingers slipping off during a deadlift PR attempt. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper, or IMTUG, allows you to train two fingers at a time and may also be useful for rehab or preventing injuries. This gripper may not be the most conventional, but it works to target the fingers most commonly used in gripping — the index, middle, and thumb. Using this in tandem with a whole hand grip strengthener is a surefire way to develop your grip to its maximum potential.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
This unique grip strengthener focuses on developing the gripping power of two fingers at a time. Available in seven different difficulty levels, the IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper can help you reach your max grip potential.
The IMTUG is small enough to fit into your pocket, so you can take it anywhere. The gripper itself is made from airplane-grade aluminum with ergonomically designed handles and patented GR8 springs to last squeeze after squeeze. Because of the high-quality springs, the resistance won’t decrease over time so you can continue to use these for many years. The different levels allow you to train not only your index and middle fingers, but your ring and pinky fingers with the lower-difficulty grippers.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Resistance Range: 1-7
Adjustable: No
Price: $29.95 each
Pros
This ergonomic gripper works specifically on finger strength, letting you train different parts of your hand.
It may help reinvigorate your grip training routine by introducing some variety.
The deep-cut knurling provides ample grip so the IMTUG stays in place during training.
Cons
The lack of padding and use of knurling on the handles here may cause discomfort. If you have sensitive skin it may be helpful to find some silicone-handled grippers instead.
These are a niche product and don’t have much utility aside from improving finger strength.
This gripper doesn’t have the capability for adjustable resistance.
The IMTUG is a unique product, but it does have an important role in improving finger strength as well as overall grip. Just as you may do partial deadlifts (like rack pulls) to improve your deadlift lockout, you can focus on bringing up lagging digits with the Two Finger Utility Gripper for a more complete and stronger grip.
Best Reverse Grip Strengthener
Reverse grip strengthening is another forgotten aspect of full-body strength. Just like doing endless bench press and no back work can result in rounded forward shoulders and an unbalanced appearance, doing tons of repetitive gripping without doing the reverse can result in sometimes uncomfortable imbalances. Our pick for best reverse grip strengthener is the solution.
Xtensor Grip Strengthener
Finger extension is an easy way to quickly accumulate more stimulation for forearm growth without performing typical forearm exercises. The device fits around the wrist with bands attached to each finger and the thumb, and it works to train the opposite of most other grip tools by training the extension rather than flexion of the fingers. The ability to adjust the resistance on each finger simply by placing the band closer or further away from your fingers is a nice touch.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We like the knurled handles to help build thick skin and thicker forearm muscles so you can grip whatever is in your way. Doing some yard work and need to move stones? No worries. Need to help a friend move because you’re the strongest person they know (we’ve all been there)? You’re not dropping that TV. Training with these grip strength trainers is easy too since the resistance is labeled in high-contrast on the bottom of each for quick identification. Also, they won’t wear out thanks to robust carbon steel springs and high-quality aluminum handles.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
You don’t have to strain to tell what the resistance is of each gripper thanks to the clear markings on the bottom of each one.
These are budget-friendly and you can pick them up one at a time to add to your collection over time.
The heavy-duty materials combined with high resistance levels make for a tough product that’s built to last — even with daily use.
Cons
These might not be great for improving finger or hand dexterity or working through carpal tunnel since the resistance is so high. A stress relief ball or light-duty gripper might be better for that.
You can’t really train individual finger exercises with these hand grippers.
The resistance is fixed and not adjustable so you need to keep track of multiple grippers if you want to vary the difficulty of your workouts.
These rough and ready grippers are made from high-quality aluminum with durable carbon steel springs so they won’t start squeaking on you after a few squeezes. The knurling helps to keep your grip on them solid while also developing tougher skin. They do start out more challenging than most other grippers, though, so make sure you bring your A-game to training.
Best Grip Strengthener with a Barbell
Adding a bigger grip extension to your barbell while lifting can help build up grip strength while also adding extra stress to your arm workouts for enhanced muscle growth. If you’re training for strongman events, or just looking to mix it up a bit with some different feels for the barbell or dumbbells, then this pick might be for you.
Fat Gripz Extreme
The Fat Gripz Extreme are three-quarters of an inch larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and are designed to convert any barbell into a thicker bar for better muscle stimulation in the arms and hands. Constantly squeezing the Fat Grip will engage more muscles in your forearms, hands, and arms. One downside is that you won’t be able to lift as much weight, so those who are looking to get a lot stronger in areas other than grip may want to limit their Fat Grip use to just grip training days, light sessions, or deload weeks.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
These are great for targeting weak links that you may be able to power through with a normal-sized bar. While working to keep the bar in your hands, you’ll have to move slower through the range of motion, which can highlight weak points and positions. Fat Gripz can be used for tons of exercises from dumbbell movements to deadlifts, to rows, and even pull-ups for a different feel and stimulation. They’re made not to compress, even under extreme loads.
Specs
Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: No
Price: $33.95 each
Pros
You can change things up a bit without having to buy brand-new equipment and bars. All you have to do is slap these on any bar or dumbbell, and you’re ready to lift.
These are great for anyone who competes in strength sports, especially strongman.
Fat Gripz can wrap around barbells, dumbbells, pull-up bars, and cable attachments so the uses are practically limitless.
Cons
Fat Gripz recommends starting with the regular sized grips before moving on to the extreme series, especially if you’re a beginner.
These aren’t standalone grip trainers and require other pieces of equipment (barbell, dumbbell, etc.) to make use of them.
You can’t use these anywhere — in the office, airport, class, etc.— like you can other grip trainers.
Making efficient use of your time is paramount when you’re on a tight schedule, and adding in grip training can sometimes fall by the wayside in favor of larger muscle groups. Adding a pair of Fat Gripz to your training can help you incorporate grip work into your strength training and might even help you spot some weak links in your training that need to be addressed.
Best Grip Strengthener on Amazon
Sometimes convenience and quickness are the most important things. And often Amazon has the answer you’ve been searching for in that department thanks to its speedy delivery options. In the case of grip strengtheners, Amazon offers this great option that’s accessible via free Prime shipping.
GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener
If you’re itching to start your grip training routine, these can be at your door in two days via Prime Shipping in most cases. The GD Iron Grip utilizes a unique design to strengthen the grip with ultra-compressed steel springs to resist from 55 pounds all the way up to 198 pounds so they’re as beginner-friendly as they are challenging for advanced grip trainees. The handles are knurled similar to a barbell, but cut more moderately, so they don’t cause as much discomfort for those who aren’t used to knurling while still providing great grip. We like that the handles are longer than most grip trainers so you can really grip with your ring finger and pinky.
GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener
The GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener is an A-frame design that uses a solid steel compression spring to resist from 55 to 198 pounds when squeezing the two handles together. The range of motion is over a full inch and the handles are knurled similar to a barbell.
The resistance is easily adjustable via a knob, as is the range of motion with a lever, so you can focus on progressing through different ranges of hand closure. GD boasts that their product is completely silent without any squeaking like you may get on a pair of Captains of Crush (CoC) after a while. The easy adjustability of these grip strengtheners allows you to jump quickly from maximum effort closes to timed holds and over to reps for endurance seamlessly. These are pricier than many other grip devices, but if you value versatility, then the cost may be worth it.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 55-198 pounds
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $79.90 each
Pros
Silent movement and resistance allow you to train anywhere without sounding like you’re smuggling a mouse from all the squeaking.
You can adjust the resistance as well as the range of motion to target different grip areas and change your forearm/grip exercise routine up.
These come with a five-year warranty so you can be confident in the durability of this gripper.
Cons
The GD Iron Grip 90 is on the more expensive side so they’re not really budget-friendly.
At a pound and a half, it’s not the most lightweight and easily portable grip trainer.
The starting resistance of 55 pounds is likely too heavy to use for rehab or beginners.
If you value versatility and have the extra cash to spend to get it, these are a great choice. Being able to get them delivered through Prime’s quick shipping network is all the more reason to spring for the GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener.
Best Forearm Grip Strengthener
Having a great grip is awesome, but there’s something about having big, strong forearms that can be even more appealing. If you’re trying to get on Popeye’s level of forearms, then you might want to grab a pair of Fat Gripz Extreme, our pick for best forearm grip strengthener.
Fat Gripz Extreme
We’re big fans of the forearm burn that you can achieve with the Fat Gripz Extreme series because they can convert nearly any bar or dumbbell into a grip surface that’s more than twice as thick. Measuring 2.75 inches, they’re 0.75 inches larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and made for even more forearm-blasting workouts. All you have to do is slap these on whatever you’re working with and get gripping.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
You don’t have to limit yourself to a barbell with these though. We like to slide them onto dumbbells, cable attachments, and pull-up or chin-up bars. They’re also helpful for increasing comfort when you’re doing dips, since the larger surface area to grip tends to be easier on the wrists and hands. Since your grip will likely be the limiting factor in your lifts when training with Fat Gripz, you will have to go lighter so these might not be an optimal choice during a strength-building phase. We like to incorporate them on deload weeks, hypertrophy blocks, and lighter sessions where we can really focus on squeezing rather than moving weight.
Specs
Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: No
Price: $33.95 each
Pros
You can add a forearm/grip focus to your workouts without having to add extra exercises that take time and effort away from your routine.
These can help distribute the weight over a larger area, and ease some of the pain you may experience with certain exercises or bars.
These are rubber and easy to travel with and take on the go so you can train grip anywhere.
Cons
These are likely too large and challenging for beginner grip trainers. It may be better to start off with the regular Fat Gripz.
There are better options for improving strictly grip strength if that is all you’re focused on. These are more focused on forearm growth with grip strength as a secondary outcome.
Fat Gripz Extreme don’t work on their own and you can’t use them anywhere since they need to be attached to a weight.
The Fat Gripz Extreme can help kick your forearm growth up to the next level, and are great if you rely on grip as part of your sport or profession. If you’re a beginner, it may be best to start out with the standard Fat Gripz, but if you’re looking for an extra challenge, these are the way to go.
Best Wrist Grip Strengthener
When training grip, most people focus on forearm strength and hand strength, but the forgotten link is what connects the two — the wrist. If you’re deadlifting and your legs and glutes are strong enough, but your low back isn’t up to the task, then you’re likely missing the lift or risking injury. Same goes for the wrist when you’re bench pressing. You can help tighten up that weak link with our pick for best wrist grip strengthener, the Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
The Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind is simple in design, almost like a yo-yo, that allows you to train both concentric and eccentric movements of the wrist. This portable tool is a cord wrapped around an omni-directional base, which you can wind up to train in one direction and then lower under control to train in the other direction. The twisting action is similar to opening a well-sealed pickle jar, which is why we’re all training grip strength anyway — to open any jar we come across with ease. Be warned though, your forearms will be burning in no time.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
Don’t have any weak links in your grip by strengthening your wrists with the Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener from IronMind. This unique grip device allows you to train with just about anything for weight and makes gains using both concentric and eccentric movement.
We like that the Twist Yo Wrist can use pretty much anything for resistance. Simply wrap the rock climbing-grade accessory cord around a weight plate, milk jug, resistance band, or anything else you like and secure the small snap clip, then you’re ready to twist. The only thing we don’t like is that the handles are made of plastic so it can become slippery when you’re sweating — even with the scored knurling. For the price, it would be nice to have aluminum instead.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Plastic
Resistance Range: n/a
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $56.95
Pros
Twist Yo Wrist can work your shoulders too in addition to grip and forearm training.
The unique twisting motion helps to hit different areas of the forearm and wrist than traditional grippers.
You can use pretty much anything heavy as resistance so you’re not limited to working out in one area or with certain equipment.
Cons
The plastic handles can be tough to hang on to when you’re sweating a bunch.
While the smaller handles create more of a challenge for the wrist and fingers, larger handles might be better for purely grip training.
This is more expensive than some other grip strengthening tools on this list.
The Twist Yo Wrist is unique, even in the grip training space, and something that seems more akin to a gadget or toy at first glance. After you use it once, you’ll realize this thing’s the real deal — it can give you a serious forearm pump, and improve your wrist strength and stability. Some people have even commented that it helps with elbow tendonitis.
Best Core and Grip Strengthener
Strongman-style training has become more popular recently, and for good reason. There are tons of benefits from doing these sorts of unconventional exercises, and they tend to carry over to real life. The farmer’s walk is one example that gymgoers have adopted from strongman. You don’t need crazy implements to do farmer’s carries, just our pick for best core and grip strengthener — Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles
Farmer’s walks are a great full-body exercise to build core strength and grip strength at the same time, while also working out your legs. The compact straps from Spud Inc allow you to ramp up your training above walking with dumbbells, to using plates. We like that you can throw these in your gym bag and to use when needed since they’re not big and bulky (though we’re trying to be). The Traveling Farmer Walk Handles are about the size of an axle bar, so they’re pretty thick — a normal barbell is 28mm around while the handles on these are about 38mm.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmer Walk Handles
Pack these two durable nylon straps in your gym bag and use any pair of plates for grip-building farmer walks. You can train your core, legs, and grip all at once with these convenient farmers handles from Spud Inc.
The straps themselves can be looped through Olympic plates of any weight, depending on strength and goals. Just hold the handles, and take the plates for a walk. They have a convenient slide buckle that allows you to customize your height preference too. You have to stabilize the weights while walking which activates the core in all directions, getting a complete core burn with just a few carries.
Of all the strengtheners on this list, these are the most practical and likely offer the most carryover to everyday life. You’ll be carrying all the groceries in one trip in no time. The biggest downside is the time and effort it takes to set these up, especially if you’re pretty strong and have to load up multiple plates. They can also bang against your legs and leave some nasty bruises if you’re not careful since the straps aren’t fixed or rigid like full-blown farmer’s carry implements are.
Specs
Handle Material: Rubber coated with a steel-core
Resistance Range: 300+ pounds
Adjustable: Yes
Price: $69.99 per pair
Pros
These train grip while also getting a core and leg workout in essentially making these three exercises in one.
The soft and somewhat unruly nature of the nylon straps makes these great for strongman competitors who want to train carries without going super heavy.
Carrying things is a part of life, and these will help you improve that skill.
Cons
There are less complex ways to train your grip directly if you’re solely focused on grip.
If you’re not careful when picking the weights up they might smack into your ankles or legs.
It takes more effort and time to set these up than other grip trainers, especially if you’re loading up multiple plates.
The Spud Inc Farmers Walk Handles offer a simple and budget-friendly solution to full-sized, barbell-style farmer’s walk implements that can cost hundreds of dollars. This product is portable, easy to set up, and can use any Olympic plates or weights you can pass the loop through. If you want to blast your core while training your grip, these are the way to go.
Best Old-School Grip Strengthener
The legends that inspired us to get into the gym seemed to have a simpler way of doing things, and there’s something to be said about the old-school method of getting strong. Nostalgia aside, the Living.Fit Grip Strengthener brings modern construction to an old-school design for a standout product.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
When you first look at these grip trainers, they may not seem like anything special, but the unassuming looks will fade away when you realize how challenging these hand grip exercisers are. Despite being new, they pull from a tried and true design while incorporating modern improvements like high-quality, rust-resistant, and lightweight aluminum with silky smooth carbon steel springs. The resistance does start at 100 pounds, so you’ll already have to have a pretty decent grip, but Living.Fit makes up to 250 pounds of resistance, so you won’t outgrow these anytime soon.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We particularly like how these are marked clearly on the bottom so you can tell the resistance right away. The old-school inspiration is most apparent in the handle design with knurling akin to that of a barbell so you can build up some tough skin and not worry about these slipping out of your hand.
Specs
Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
Adjustable: No
Price: $19.99 each
Pros
These grippers combine the best of old-school design with modern materials like aluminum and carbon steel for a durable and high-quality product.
You don’t have to squint or find just the right angle to figure out what the resistance is thanks to high-contrast markings.
The knurling helps to keep these grippers firmly in your hand throughout training.
Cons
These don’t feature an adjustable hand grip or resistance.
The purpose of these is to increase grip strength and forearm muscle strength exclusively. They don’t double as useful for injury recovery or use in physical therapy.
If you haven’t trained your grip before, then the resistance may be too much to start with.
The ways of old-school training may have gone by the wayside with modern technology, but some things stand the test of time. Having a strong grip and big forearms has endured as a sign of power and strength. Take your grip from floppy fish to vice grip and beyond with old-school-inspired hand grippers.
Benefits of Grip Strengtheners
Grip strengtheners can be quite beneficial for how inexpensive they generally are. Aside from the obvious benefit of a stronger grip, they can also help with fidgeting if you’re the type of person who needs to keep your hands busy. They may indirectly lead to improved performance in the gym and better workouts overall, as well. Let’s talk a bit more about each point.
Stronger Grip
This one is pretty straightforward. Grip strengtheners have the benefit of improving your grip strength if you use them properly and train with them just as you would any other muscle or body part. If you want to become a gripmaster or compete in any strength sports like weightlifting, powerlifting, or especially strongman then you definitely will want to pick a grip trainer up and use it as soon as you can. Grip is imperative in those sports — yes, even if you use a hookgrip during weightlifting.
Fidgeting
If you’ve just come home or gotten to work and you’ve still got pre-workout coursing through you then you may feel a bit fidgety. Having a grip strengthener can be a great way to let out some energy. If you’re feeling stressed it can be helpful to squeeze a grip strengthener and let out some of that pent-up nervous energy.
Better Workouts In the Gym
Having an improved grip doesn’t only mean improving the maximum squeezing force you can apply, but also the amount of time you can apply force for. In other words, grip strengtheners can help you train grip endurance as well as strength. If you’ve ever suffered through a high-volume back workout then you may know the feeling of your grip feeling like it’s about to fail instead of your back muscles. Sure, you can use lifting straps, but they require a bit of grip strength too. Grip weakness can be a worry of the past if you dedicate yourself to improving your grip.
How We Chose the Best Grip Strengtheners
Many different factors come into play when deciding what the best grip strengtheners are. Since there are so many reasons for training grip, we have to find some common ground to compare the products. The type of grip that you hold onto when actually using the trainers is an important factor, whether it’s rubber, steel, or something else. The amount of resistance and what provides that resistance is another consideration. It’s also important to consider whether the device trains finger contractors or extensors.
Image via Shutterstock / Andrey Burmakin
Are you squeezing against a spring, holding weight plates, or another type of resistance? These factors all come into play. Finally, the range of motion (ROM) with which you train your grip with any given product is considered. Different products offer varying ranges of motion, and sometimes change the ROM to alter the resistance, which can lead to different results.
Grip
Grip is, without a doubt, one of the most important factors to consider when deciding between grip strengtheners. The first thing to be aware of is the texture of the handles. Occasionally, it won’t be super obvious. It may look smooth, but when you zoom in on the photos or get it in your hand, you’ll notice that it has knurling similar to a barbell. Most commonly you’ll find rubber, metal, or a combination of both for the grips. We take different needs into consideration when making our picks, which is why you’ll see a bunch of different options.
Resistance
Resistance may seem like a somewhat obvious factor to account for, but it’s an important one nonetheless. If you’re leaning toward a grip strengthener that features varying resistance, then it should be beneficial for beginners and advanced athletes alike. When selecting our picks, we’re mindful of the resistance that products have, which is why you may not see grippers that focus on endless repetitions ranked highly, because that’s not ideal for building strength, or increasing grip power, though it is great for endurance.
Range of Motion
If we assume that the person buying a grip strengthener knows how much resistance they need, the range of motion (ROM) that a gripper allows is a key consideration to be aware of. Some grip strengtheners that can modify their resistance do so at the expense of some of their range of motion. Those types of grippers may not rank as highly because they sacrifice range of motion for higher resistance, which might not be the best path to the most gains. Grippers that focus on keeping a full range of motion will generally rank better than those that compromise range of motion for resistance.
How Much Do Grip Strengtheners Cost?
Grip strengtheners by themselves are one of the more inexpensive strength gear purchases you’ll make. They cost anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on the type you purchase. Adjustable grippers tend to cost more due to their variable resistance. You can also purchase grippers in sets with multiple difficulty levels to save some money.
The grip strengtheners on this list range from around $20 to $85 individually with sets of varying difficulty priced between about $66 and $240. On average, you can expect to spend somewhere in the realm of $30 to $50 on a dedicated gripper, and $60 to $100 for specialty or adjustable grip trainers.
What to Consider Before Buying Grip Strengtheners
All of the products on this list are meant to improve grip strength, but they’re all very different. Just as with all strength pursuits, there are many different ways to accomplish the goal, and you have to find out what works best for you. There are some important things to consider before buying a grip strengthener. You should identify your goals, and know why you want to build your grip in the first place. Along with that, the way you build your grip will be determined by your goals.
Once you determine your goals, it should be easier to figure out whether you’re looking to build true grip strength, or grip and forearm strength for overall athletic performance. If you can answer these questions with confidence, you’ll be able to figure out which product, or sometimes multiple products, best suit your needs.
Goals
The first thing to do before you purchase anything is to figure out why you’re looking to buy that type of product in the first place. Sometimes, the reasoning will be pretty straightforward, such as for those who compete in a specific sport, but other times it may not be so obvious.
When determining your goals, you should identify the main thing you are seeking to accomplish with the purchase of the product. If you want to improve in strongman, then getting something that focuses on training grip for maximum strength may be a good idea over something that’s going to focus more on forearm hypertrophy. Conversely, if your goal is to have bigger forearms and cosplay as Popeye, then a straightforward grip strengthener is likely not for you.
Shutterstock/AlekseiPotov
Those looking to improve athletic performance overall may need to try a few different products or use them together for a more complete grip training. Any athlete who swings something needs to have not only a strong grip to ensure the implement doesn’t rotate when it’s not supposed to, but a strong forearm to deliver and generate force. Athletes like tennis players, baseball players, cricket players, and golfers will benefit from products that improve grip, wrist, and forearm strength, so they may need to use a few products to get a complete training stimulus.
Resistance
A common mistake when considering a grip strengthener is buying one with too much resistance, and assuming you’ll grow into it. It’s better to start lighter and progress more slowly and steadily. Being able to do 15 reps with a full range of motion with a lighter resistance is going to be way more beneficial than doing four or five partial reps with heavier resistance.
Range of Motion
Before making a purchase, always ensure that you check if the range of motion stays the same when the resistance is changed. The ROM for most grip strengtheners on the market is around two to three inches from start to finish of the movement. Many options available highlight a static range of motion across all resistance ranges. If you’re unsure, the design may provide some clues.
Image via Shutterstock / Alexander Lukatskiy
If the resistance is changed by moving the point of flexion on the coil or spring of a gripper, then the ROM was likely compromised. If the resistance is changed by moving the angle that the coil or spring is compressed, it’s likely the range of motion was left unchanged.
Grip vs. Forearm Strengtheners
Once you’ve defined your goals and reasoning for purchasing a product, the next step is to determine what type of strength you need to build. If you’ve determined that you need to improve your forearm strength, then selecting one of the grip strengtheners that focuses on forearm strength and hypertrophy is a good option.
Image via Shutterstock / Ruslan Shugushev
If your goal is to have a stronger grip because you compete in strongman or powerlifting and need to hold onto heavy deadlifts or implements, then a pure grip strengthener is most likely what you need. There are also products that focus on finger strengthening with just one or a couple of fingers at once. Bowlers or baseball pitchers, for example, may want to focus on finger strength because it has a direct carryover to competing in their sport. Just be mindful of the different emphases that different products have on aspects of grip or hypertrophy.
Different Types of Grip Strengtheners
There are a variety of different grip strengthener types, and selecting the right one can go a long way in helping you reach your goals. If you want to improve your grip for everyday life, then it might be best to pick an option like farmer’s carry straps or a twisting trainer.
Squeeze
The most common type of grip strengtheners are ones that you can squeeze. Pursuit of the ultimate crushing power might lend itself more to squeeze trainers like the famous IronMind Captains of Crush hand grippers or their modern counterparts.
Extenders
There are options for focusing on finger strength or muscular balance like extenders and finger grippers too. It’s often best to have a few different grip strengtheners so you can achieve a complete grip and forearm workout just like training any other body part.
Others
There are also a ton of innovative types of grip strengtheners like ones that you can roll to focus more on forearm burn. Farmer’s carry straps and handles are a carryover from strongman training that strengthens your grip and forearms, too.
How to Use Grip Strengtheners
It may not seem like there’s much to using a grip trainer, but you should treat grip training just like any other muscle or body part. The forearms and muscles of the hand often recover much faster than other muscles and can handle significantly higher volume because they are meant to be used pretty much all day every day. (1)
Sets and Reps
Growing the forearms and strengthening your grip can usually be done at the same time by following a well-made routine, like any muscle group. When you first start out, aim for two-to-four sets per session and two sessions per week. Each of those sets should have somewhere between 10 and 30 reps. (1) We know that’s a wide range, but err on the lower side for more strength and the higher side for hypertrophy and endurance.
Form
When using a gripper, make sure to open it as wide as possible and hold it fully closed for a full second each rep. If you’re using a roller, make sure each twist is deliberate and not simply a race to the finish. Farmer’s carry implements are a bit different. We like to move with quick, strong steps while ensuring that our core is tight and our hands are gripping as tightly as possible. Try to keep all of your fingers locked closed around the handle for the whole time. If you find your pinky starting to come off the handle, it’s time to drop the weight and focus more on squeezing the handle and stabilizing your core rather than simply the weight you’re moving.
Frequency
Once you’ve become more advanced, you can increase the frequency to three or even four sessions per week (always with a day between) and you should alternate the rep schemes between high, medium, and low reps with more resistance on the low reps days.
Final Word
Whether you’re looking to perform better in the gym, on the field, or on the court, having a strong grip can pay dividends in athletic performance. Being strong is never a weakness, and having a strong grip can be beneficial for life, as well as athletic performance. There’s even evidence to suggest that hand grip strength may be useful in predicting cardiovascular health. (2)
Improving your grip doesn’t have to interrupt your normal training routine, but it can become an integral part of it with some of the grip strengtheners in this article. Just remember to have an accurate assessment of your current grip strength and clear goals before committing to a particular option, and you’ll have a King Kong grip in no time.
FAQs
Do you still need a strong grip even if you don’t compete in anything?It’s hard to imagine a situation where being stronger would be a detriment. Being well-rounded in your muscular development, even if you just go to the gym because you like to workout, or do it to stay healthy, is important. Having weak links will inevitably lead to imbalance, which can cause injury or pain.
Another important note is that grip can be a limiting factor for some people when it comes to certain exercises like rows, pull-ups, or deadlifts. Without a strong grip, you may not be making the most of your available strength and getting the best gains possible.
What is the best grip strengthenerThere are a lot of ways to approach improving your grip strength, and different approaches work for different people. The one grip strengthener that has stood the test of time and been used by athletes of all disciplines for decades is the Captains of Crush Grip Strengthener. It’s affordable, can easily fit in your pocket, and will seriously test your grip.
How much do grip strengtheners cost?Individual grippers can cost anywhere from $25 to around $85, depending on the features such as adjustability, comfort grips, and more. Sets of pre-calibrated grip trainers can be more pricey and cost $65 to $240. They’re worth it to train in different rep ranges at varying difficulties, especially for strength athletes.
What are some other benefits of grip strength?Grip strength has actually been well-studied, and there are some surprising benefits and correlations that have been found. Grip strength can actually be used to reliably predict cardiovascular risk (1), and those with better grip have been shown to have a lower risk of adverse cardiac events.
On the sports performance side, researchers found that those with better grip strength could move heavier weights with less effort than those with lower grip strength on a barbell-like apparatus (2). It seems fairly clear that there are a wide range of benefits to a stronger grip outside of just holding things better.
After I start using grip strengtheners, how long will it take for my grip to improve?It’s hard to give a definite answer to a question like this, but most people will start to see improvements in a few weeks with just a few sessions per week. As long as you’re staying consistent and putting an honest effort in, you can expect to see good results. Remember that no matter how awesome the piece of equipment is, it’s only as good as the effort you put in. The products aren’t magic and can’t do the work for you, but they can certainly help target what you’re trying to achieve better.
References
https://rpstrength.com/expert-advice/forearm-growth-training-tips
Mearns B. M. (2015). Risk factors: Hand grip strength predicts cardiovascular risk. Nature reviews. Cardiology, 12(7), 379. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2015.84
Ambike S, Paclet F, Zatsiorsky VM, Latash ML. Factors affecting grip force: anatomy, mechanics, and referent configurations. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Apr;232(4):1219-31. doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-3838-8. Epub 2014 Jan 31. PMID: 24477762; PMCID: PMC4013148.
Having a powerful grip is one of the most beneficial attributes any athlete can have, but it’s often the most neglected. Grip strengtheners can help you improve in just about every sport imaginable, from swinging a tennis racket to holding a heavy deadlift in powerlifting. There are a few different ways to do it, but most commonly, grip training involves squeezing against some resistance.
A stronger grip thanks to a grip strengthener can even help regular people who aren’t athletes perform day-to-day tasks, like opening heavy doors, carrying luggage, grabbing the groceries, or the ever-impressive opening of a tough jar lid. While most people don’t take the time to work on their grip, it is pretty simple to do — you don’t even have to go to the gym to train with most grip strengthening products. We looked around and found the best grip strengtheners on the market today.
Best Grip Strengtheners
Best Grip Strengthener Overall
Grip is involved in nearly every exercise in some way or another, and often it can be the limiting factor (though you may not even realize it). Having a strong grip isn’t just helpful for lifting or sports, it’s a good strength to have for life. If you want to be the person everyone hands that extra-tight pickle jar to open, then grab our pick for best grip strengthener overall and get squeezing.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These grip trainers combine old-school aesthetics and toughness with modern materials for a high-quality gripper that’s built to last. Living.Fit makes these with carbon steel springs so that the resistance is the same on the 1,000th squeeze as it is on the first. The springs are also less prone to squeaking like you might experience on some other grippers, which can be extremely annoying and make you less likely to use them.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
Also, we really like how secure these are in the hand because of the knurled, non-slip grip so you can focus on squeezing. You’ll need that grip, because these start out with 100 pounds of resistance, so they may not be great for beginners. Once that becomes too easy, you’ll have a wide range of resistances to work through, but the jumps are in 50-pound increments, so make sure you’re ready before moving up.
Specs
- Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
- Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
- Adjustable: No
- Price: $19.99 each
- These are significantly less expensive than similar options.
- You can use these to achieve a seriously strong grip with resistance up to 250 pounds.
- The knurled handles feel like a barbell so they might have better transfer to lifting.
- The knurling might be too abrasive if you have sensitive skin.
- Because of the high starting weight, these might not be ideal for beginners.
- There are only four resistance levels to select from and the jumps are pretty big.
Best Finger Grip Strengthener
Finger strength is often even more forgotten than general grip strength, and it shouldn’t be. It’s not just for those who need it specifically, such as rock climbers or professional thumb wrestlers — it can play an important role in all sports. To help with this often lagging area of strength, IronMind has the perfect solution in their Two Finger Utility Gripper.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
The last thing you want are fingers slipping off during a deadlift PR attempt. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper, or IMTUG, allows you to train two fingers at a time and may also be useful for rehab or preventing injuries. This gripper may not be the most conventional, but it works to target the fingers most commonly used in gripping — the index, middle, and thumb. Using this in tandem with a whole hand grip strengthener is a surefire way to develop your grip to its maximum potential.
IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper
This unique grip strengthener focuses on developing the gripping power of two fingers at a time. Available in seven different difficulty levels, the IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper can help you reach your max grip potential.
The IMTUG is small enough to fit into your pocket, so you can take it anywhere. The gripper itself is made from airplane-grade aluminum with ergonomically designed handles and patented GR8 springs to last squeeze after squeeze. Because of the high-quality springs, the resistance won’t decrease over time so you can continue to use these for many years. The different levels allow you to train not only your index and middle fingers, but your ring and pinky fingers with the lower-difficulty grippers.
Specs
- Handle Material: Knurled Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
- Resistance Range: 1-7
- Adjustable: No
- Price: $29.95 each
- This ergonomic gripper works specifically on finger strength, letting you train different parts of your hand.
- It may help reinvigorate your grip training routine by introducing some variety.
- The deep-cut knurling provides ample grip so the IMTUG stays in place during training.
- The lack of padding and use of knurling on the handles here may cause discomfort. If you have sensitive skin it may be helpful to find some silicone-handled grippers instead.
- These are a niche product and don’t have much utility aside from improving finger strength.
- This gripper doesn’t have the capability for adjustable resistance.
Best Reverse Grip Strengthener
Reverse grip strengthening is another forgotten aspect of full-body strength. Just like doing endless bench press and no back work can result in rounded forward shoulders and an unbalanced appearance, doing tons of repetitive gripping without doing the reverse can result in sometimes uncomfortable imbalances. Our pick for best reverse grip strengthener is the solution.
Xtensor Grip Strengthener
Finger extension is an easy way to quickly accumulate more stimulation for forearm growth without performing typical forearm exercises. The device fits around the wrist with bands attached to each finger and the thumb, and it works to train the opposite of most other grip tools by training the extension rather than flexion of the fingers. The ability to adjust the resistance on each finger simply by placing the band closer or further away from your fingers is a nice touch.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
These high-quality grippers combine old-school toughness with modern machining for a product that's cost-effective and durable. They feel secure in your hands and might even toughen up your skin thanks to the knurled handles.
We like the knurled handles to help build thick skin and thicker forearm muscles so you can grip whatever is in your way. Doing some yard work and need to move stones? No worries. Need to help a friend move because you’re the strongest person they know (we’ve all been there)? You’re not dropping that TV. Training with these grip strength trainers is easy too since the resistance is labeled in high-contrast on the bottom of each for quick identification. Also, they won’t wear out thanks to robust carbon steel springs and high-quality aluminum handles.
Specs
- Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
- Resistance Range: 100-250 pounds
- Adjustable: No
- Price: $19.99 each
- You don’t have to strain to tell what the resistance is of each gripper thanks to the clear markings on the bottom of each one.
- These are budget-friendly and you can pick them up one at a time to add to your collection over time.
- The heavy-duty materials combined with high resistance levels make for a tough product that’s built to last — even with daily use.
- These might not be great for improving finger or hand dexterity or working through carpal tunnel since the resistance is so high. A stress relief ball or light-duty gripper might be better for that.
- You can’t really train individual finger exercises with these hand grippers.
- The resistance is fixed and not adjustable so you need to keep track of multiple grippers if you want to vary the difficulty of your workouts.
Best Grip Strengthener with a Barbell
Adding a bigger grip extension to your barbell while lifting can help build up grip strength while also adding extra stress to your arm workouts for enhanced muscle growth. If you’re training for strongman events, or just looking to mix it up a bit with some different feels for the barbell or dumbbells, then this pick might be for you.
Fat Gripz Extreme
The Fat Gripz Extreme are three-quarters of an inch larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and are designed to convert any barbell into a thicker bar for better muscle stimulation in the arms and hands. Constantly squeezing the Fat Grip will engage more muscles in your forearms, hands, and arms. One downside is that you won’t be able to lift as much weight, so those who are looking to get a lot stronger in areas other than grip may want to limit their Fat Grip use to just grip training days, light sessions, or deload weeks.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
These are great for targeting weak links that you may be able to power through with a normal-sized bar. While working to keep the bar in your hands, you’ll have to move slower through the range of motion, which can highlight weak points and positions. Fat Gripz can be used for tons of exercises from dumbbell movements to deadlifts, to rows, and even pull-ups for a different feel and stimulation. They’re made not to compress, even under extreme loads.
Specs
- Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
- Resistance Range: n/a
- Adjustable: No
- Price: $33.95 each
- You can change things up a bit without having to buy brand-new equipment and bars. All you have to do is slap these on any bar or dumbbell, and you’re ready to lift.
- These are great for anyone who competes in strength sports, especially strongman.
- Fat Gripz can wrap around barbells, dumbbells, pull-up bars, and cable attachments so the uses are practically limitless.
- Fat Gripz recommends starting with the regular sized grips before moving on to the extreme series, especially if you’re a beginner.
- These aren’t standalone grip trainers and require other pieces of equipment (barbell, dumbbell, etc.) to make use of them.
- You can’t use these anywhere — in the office, airport, class, etc.— like you can other grip trainers.
Best Grip Strengthener on Amazon
Sometimes convenience and quickness are the most important things. And often Amazon has the answer you’ve been searching for in that department thanks to its speedy delivery options. In the case of grip strengtheners, Amazon offers this great option that’s accessible via free Prime shipping.
GD Iron Grip Hand Strengthener
If you’re itching to start your grip training routine, these can be at your door in two days via Prime Shipping in most cases. The GD Iron Grip utilizes a unique design to strengthen the grip with ultra-compressed steel springs to resist from 55 pounds all the way up to 198 pounds so they’re as beginner-friendly as they are challenging for advanced grip trainees. The handles are knurled similar to a barbell, but cut more moderately, so they don’t cause as much discomfort for those who aren’t used to knurling while still providing great grip. We like that the handles are longer than most grip trainers so you can really grip with your ring finger and pinky.
GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener
The GD Iron Grip EXT 90 Hand Strengthener is an A-frame design that uses a solid steel compression spring to resist from 55 to 198 pounds when squeezing the two handles together. The range of motion is over a full inch and the handles are knurled similar to a barbell.
The resistance is easily adjustable via a knob, as is the range of motion with a lever, so you can focus on progressing through different ranges of hand closure. GD boasts that their product is completely silent without any squeaking like you may get on a pair of Captains of Crush (CoC) after a while. The easy adjustability of these grip strengtheners allows you to jump quickly from maximum effort closes to timed holds and over to reps for endurance seamlessly. These are pricier than many other grip devices, but if you value versatility, then the cost may be worth it.
Specs
- Handle Material: Knurled Aluminum
- Resistance Range: 55-198 pounds
- Adjustable: Yes
- Price: $79.90 each
- Silent movement and resistance allow you to train anywhere without sounding like you’re smuggling a mouse from all the squeaking.
- You can adjust the resistance as well as the range of motion to target different grip areas and change your forearm/grip exercise routine up.
- These come with a five-year warranty so you can be confident in the durability of this gripper.
- The GD Iron Grip 90 is on the more expensive side so they’re not really budget-friendly.
- At a pound and a half, it’s not the most lightweight and easily portable grip trainer.
- The starting resistance of 55 pounds is likely too heavy to use for rehab or beginners.
Best Forearm Grip Strengthener
Having a great grip is awesome, but there’s something about having big, strong forearms that can be even more appealing. If you’re trying to get on Popeye’s level of forearms, then you might want to grab a pair of Fat Gripz Extreme, our pick for best forearm grip strengthener.
Fat Gripz Extreme
We’re big fans of the forearm burn that you can achieve with the Fat Gripz Extreme series because they can convert nearly any bar or dumbbell into a grip surface that’s more than twice as thick. Measuring 2.75 inches, they’re 0.75 inches larger than the standard Fat Gripz, and made for even more forearm-blasting workouts. All you have to do is slap these on whatever you’re working with and get gripping.
Fat Gripz Extreme
Strap these onto any barbell, dumbbell, or pull-up bar to activate more overall muscles in your arms. These allow you to get more done in less time by training your grip while getting your regular workout in too.
You don’t have to limit yourself to a barbell with these though. We like to slide them onto dumbbells, cable attachments, and pull-up or chin-up bars. They’re also helpful for increasing comfort when you’re doing dips, since the larger surface area to grip tends to be easier on the wrists and hands. Since your grip will likely be the limiting factor in your lifts when training with Fat Gripz, you will have to go lighter so these might not be an optimal choice during a strength-building phase. We like to incorporate them on deload weeks, hypertrophy blocks, and lighter sessions where we can really focus on squeezing rather than moving weight.
Specs
- Handle Material: High-density rubber compound
- Resistance Range: n/a
- Adjustable: No
- Price: $33.95 each
- You can add a forearm/grip focus to your workouts without having to add extra exercises that take time and effort away from your routine.
- These can help distribute the weight over a larger area, and ease some of the pain you may experience with certain exercises or bars.
- These are rubber and easy to travel with and take on the go so you can train grip anywhere.
- These are likely too large and challenging for beginner grip trainers. It may be better to start off with the regular Fat Gripz.
- There are better options for improving strictly grip strength if that is all you’re focused on. These are more focused on forearm growth with grip strength as a secondary outcome.
- Fat Gripz Extreme don’t work on their own and you can’t use them anywhere since they need to be attached to a weight.
Best Wrist Grip Strengthener
When training grip, most people focus on forearm strength and hand strength, but the forgotten link is what connects the two — the wrist. If you’re deadlifting and your legs and glutes are strong enough, but your low back isn’t up to the task, then you’re likely missing the lift or risking injury. Same goes for the wrist when you’re bench pressing. You can help tighten up that weak link with our pick for best wrist grip strengthener, the Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
The Twist Yo Wrist from IronMind is simple in design, almost like a yo-yo, that allows you to train both concentric and eccentric movements of the wrist. This portable tool is a cord wrapped around an omni-directional base, which you can wind up to train in one direction and then lower under control to train in the other direction. The twisting action is similar to opening a well-sealed pickle jar, which is why we’re all training grip strength anyway — to open any jar we come across with ease. Be warned though, your forearms will be burning in no time.
Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener
Don’t have any weak links in your grip by strengthening your wrists with the Twist Yo Wrist Grip Strengthener from IronMind. This unique grip device allows you to train with just about anything for weight and makes gains using both concentric and eccentric movement.
We like that the Twist Yo Wrist can use pretty much anything for resistance. Simply wrap the rock climbing-grade accessory cord around a weight plate, milk jug, resistance band, or anything else you like and secure the small snap clip, then you’re ready to twist. The only thing we don’t like is that the handles are made of plastic so it can become slippery when you’re sweating — even with the scored knurling. For the price, it would be nice to have aluminum instead.
Specs
- Handle Material: Knurled Plastic
- Resistance Range: n/a
- Adjustable: Yes
- Price: $56.95
- Twist Yo Wrist can work your shoulders too in addition to grip and forearm training.
- The unique twisting motion helps to hit different areas of the forearm and wrist than traditional grippers.
- You can use pretty much anything heavy as resistance so you’re not limited to working out in one area or with certain equipment.
- The plastic handles can be tough to hang on to when you’re sweating a bunch.
- While the smaller handles create more of a challenge for the wrist and fingers, larger handles might be better for purely grip training.
- This is more expensive than some other grip strengthening tools on this list.
Best Core and Grip Strengthener
Strongman-style training has become more popular recently, and for good reason. There are tons of benefits from doing these sorts of unconventional exercises, and they tend to carry over to real life. The farmer’s walk is one example that gymgoers have adopted from strongman. You don’t need crazy implements to do farmer’s carries, just our pick for best core and grip strengthener — Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmers Walk Handles
Farmer’s walks are a great full-body exercise to build core strength and grip strength at the same time, while also working out your legs. The compact straps from Spud Inc allow you to ramp up your training above walking with dumbbells, to using plates. We like that you can throw these in your gym bag and to use when needed since they’re not big and bulky (though we’re trying to be). The Traveling Farmer Walk Handles are about the size of an axle bar, so they’re pretty thick — a normal barbell is 28mm around while the handles on these are about 38mm.
Spud Inc Traveling Farmer Walk Handles
Pack these two durable nylon straps in your gym bag and use any pair of plates for grip-building farmer walks. You can train your core, legs, and grip all at once with these convenient farmers handles from Spud Inc.
The straps themselves can be looped through Olympic plates of any weight, depending on strength and goals. Just hold the handles, and take the plates for a walk. They have a convenient slide buckle that allows you to customize your height preference too. You have to stabilize the weights while walking which activates the core in all directions, getting a complete core burn with just a few carries.
Of all the strengtheners on this list, these are the most practical and likely offer the most carryover to everyday life. You’ll be carrying all the groceries in one trip in no time. The biggest downside is the time and effort it takes to set these up, especially if you’re pretty strong and have to load up multiple plates. They can also bang against your legs and leave some nasty bruises if you’re not careful since the straps aren’t fixed or rigid like full-blown farmer’s carry implements are.
Specs
- Handle Material: Rubber coated with a steel-core
- Resistance Range: 300+ pounds
- Adjustable: Yes
- Price: $69.99 per pair
- These train grip while also getting a core and leg workout in essentially making these three exercises in one.
- The soft and somewhat unruly nature of the nylon straps makes these great for strongman competitors who want to train carries without going super heavy.
- Carrying things is a part of life, and these will help you improve that skill.
- There are less complex ways to train your grip directly if you’re solely focused on grip.
- If you’re not careful when picking the weights up they might smack into your ankles or legs.
- It takes more effort and time to set these up than other grip trainers, especially if you’re loading up multiple plates.
Best Old-School Grip Strengthener
The legends that inspired us to get into the gym seemed to have a simpler way of doing things, and there’s something to be said about the old-school method of getting strong. Nostalgia aside, the Living.Fit Grip Strengthener brings modern construction to an old-school design for a standout product.
Living.Fit Grip Strengthener
When you first look at these grip trainers, they may not seem like anything special, but the unassuming looks will fade away when you realize how challenging these hand grip exercisers are. Despite being new, they pull...
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