Different Types of Grips and How to Train Them

Different Types of Grips and How to Train Them. In most workout routines, grip strengthening is one of the most overlooked training. Every day, we are faced with activities that use our grip strength like opening a bottle of water or even as simple as holding a handrail. If we fail to do even the simplest of things because we have a weak grip strength, you can kiss the joy of being independent goodbye.
Most sports require a great amount of grip strength as well. Studies have shown that a good grip strength means a strong and resilient upper body. Good grip strength can also help prevent injuries in the arm and forearms as well as improve the performance of athletes no matter what sport they play.

Different Types of Grip

A lot of people may not know this but there are actually different types of grips. Each grip requires different training in order to build power. Grip strength can be categorized into four types:

1. Pinch Grip

If the crushing grip is the grip between your fingers and your palm, the pinch grip lies in between the four fingers and the thumb. The most obvious example of the pinch grip is when you hold weight plates together with one hand. This type of grip is then further categorized into fingers and thumb grip.

2. Support Grip

Support grip is used when a person does pull-ups. This type of grip is used when you hold something for a long time. Wall hangs and carrying kettlebells are other examples of exercises where support grip is used. This type of grip is especially helpful when you’re fond of going shopping.

3. Crushing Grip

As the name implies, this type of grip is used in instances such as crushing soda cans. However, it isn’t necessarily for crushing things, it can also be used in shaking hands. It is the type of grip that’s between your fingers and your palm.

How to Train Your Grip

There are a lot of ways to effectively train your grip. If you’re looking for a better and stronger grip, here are some exercises you can do:

Plate Pinches

Stack two weight plates together with the smoother surface facing outwards and try to pick them up. If you want to take it up a notch, try walking with them after you’ve picked them up.

Hanging

Find a bar to hang on to. Get your feet off the ground and hold on to the bar for as long as you can. You can hold on to the bar in different positions such as the chin up style (palms facing inwards), pull up style (palms facing outwards), or mixed (one palm in, one out).

Hand Grippers

Using a pair of excellent quality hand grippers, try to squeeze the handles of the hand grippers together for a few seconds before releasing it. Grippers have been known to have a strengthening effect on the wrist and overall on the person’s grip strength.
At some point in your life, your physician or your workout trainer eventually require you to train your grip. Before your grip strength starts to deteriorate, do some hand strengthening exercises. Just remember not to overdo it.

Hand Gripping Exercises in Occupational Therapy

Hand Gripping Exercises in Occupational Therapy. Just as it can help prevent diseases, hand gripping exercises are also vital in the recovery of people stroke patients. The motor skills are what is usually affected when a person experiences a stroke. In order for them to regain control, hand exercises are implemented in their therapy.
Hand therapy is a mix of occupational and physical therapy that is used to help rehabilitate the hands, fingers, and wrist. An injury or a stroke attack using grippers, balls, bands, and weight bars, can also be used to help children develop their fine motor skills. The therapist may be able to help you with these activities in order to improve your hand strength.
Here are some hand strengthening exercises your occupational therapist may employ:

• Stretching exercises

These exercises are designed for warm up and to help the muscles in your hand prevent stiffening and improve your hand’s ability to move effectively without any problems.

• Flexion and Extension on the Wrist

With your affected hand rested on top of a flat surface (i.e. on top of an armchair or table) with palms down, bend your wrist by slowly moving your hands up and down. Repeat the same thing with the palm of your hands facing up.

• Flexion and Extension of the Thumb

Start this stretch with your palms open such that the fingers on your hands will be far apart. Slowly bring your thumb to the base of your pinky finger as if you’re making the number 4 gesture with your hand then bring your thumb back to the original position.

• Hand Gripping Exercises

When the muscles in your hands have warmed up, your therapist might decide to move the therapy to the exercise proper. Here are the hand gripping exercises that are usually employed:

• Therapy Balls

Usually used when the patient is still on the early stages of developing or regaining hand strength. These are also the cheapest hand rehabilitation method after a stroke. The balls come in different firmness and sizes so that your hands will constantly be kept on being challenged thereby speeding up your recovery.
There are different ways to exercise using therapy balls. Your therapist may require you to perform a power grip where you squeeze a ball as tightly as you can and focusing on pressing your fingers on the ball. Another way is by squeezing the ball between any two fingers on your hands.

• Hand Grippers

The best way to increase hand strength is through hand grippers. This compact, lever-type devise is designed to increase the patient’s endurance, strength, and even dexterity. This is especially important for a recovering stroke patient. Performing normal tasks such as carrying groceries, opening the door, or carrying a bag.
Using this equipment is easy. You simply have to grab both sides and start squeezing it as hard as you can. Its strength level is adjustable which makes it a perfect tool for stroke patients to slowly develop their hand grip strength.
Your hands are simply one of the most used parts in your body. Bouncing back to your normal daily life after a stroke attack is vital. While this list of exercise methods can help, checking in with your occupational or physical therapist. It is still important to make sure that you’re on the right track.

Grip Strength as an Indicator of Heart Health

Grip Strength as an Indicator of Heart Health. Did you know that a strong grip doesn’t just mean a firm handshake. But it could also be a good indicator of a person’s heart health?

Aside from that, it has also been reported that the strength of one’s grip could predict a person’s chance of experiencing or dying from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In fact, various researches have proven this fact to be true.

Two separate but related types of research have reported.  That a person’s grip could be a great indicator of current cardiovascular condition. One study reported that a significant increase in grip strength. Could lower the chances of a person dying from a heart attack. Another research has also claimed that stronger grips could contribute to the heart’s ability to pump more blood into the body.

Let’s dig in deeper into these two types of research.

The Connection Between Hand Strength and Cardiovascular Health

A research published by The Lancet looked at the relationship between grip strength and heart health. Among adults from 17 countries aged 35-70 as a part of Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. They used a device called dynamometer to measure a person’s grip strength. It recorded any changes in the person’s health within a span of 4 years.

Their results showed that a 5-kilogram decrease in a person’s hand strength was associated with the following:

• An increased 16% chance of dying from any diseases;
• A 17% chance of dying from a heart disease;
• 7% increase in their chances of experiencing heart attack; and
• 9% increased the risk of experiencing a stroke.

Even when the researchers considered risk factors such as age, lifestyle, and other contributing factors, they still found hand grip strength to be a strong indicator of heart health.

They also found out that grip strength was actually a better indicator of cardiovascular functioning than blood pressure. However, the researchers suggested looking more into the relationship between the two brings us to the next research.

Grip Strength and a Healthier Heart Functioning and Structure

To investigate the link between grip strength and heart functioning. The grip strength of 5,065 participants with no history or underlying heart problems was measured using a hydraulic machine. Where they were instructed to squeeze a handle as hard as they can. Researchers Sebastian Beyer and Steffen Peterson studied the MRI of the participants along with the data they obtained from the hydraulic machine.

The study revealed that people with stronger grips were associated with better heart functioning. Since their hearts were able to pump more blood into the body despite having a lower heart mass. This finding, in turn, indicated that the heart muscles are less likely to experience remodeling. Which happens during hypertension or heart attacks. This was a breakthrough for the study since it gave a better understanding of the connection between the hand grip and heart structure, which was not known previously.

In Conclusion

With the researches to prove it, there is no doubt that there is a strong correlation between grip strength and cardiovascular health. You don’t have to limit doing your hand strengthening exercises at the gym.  Even when you’re at home watching television, you can do some hand strengthening exercises by using hand grippers or by squeezing tennis or rubber balls.

But of course, developing stronger grips wouldn’t be as effective without giving your muscles proper nutrition. Make sure to eat healthier and avoid eating unhealthy foods as much as possible. And finally, remember that a healthy, strong grip means a healthy heart.

by Biel Fit
www.bielfit.com
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Don’t Lose Your Grip: Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Hand Strengthening Exercises

Don’t Lose Your Grip: Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Hand Strengthening Exercises. Our body’s strength starts in our hands. Essentially when you have stronger hands, your entire body also becomes stronger. This is why grip strength is a critical aspect in sports, such as gymnastics, and even in our daily lives.

A lot of people focus on working their arms, legs, and back to get that perfect muscled look. What they often overlook is the importance of combining grip strength with their usual workout routine. Believe it or not, having a stronger grip could actually benefit boost your overall gain as well as help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Our grip is basically what makes our body strong. It’s the one that allows our body to move, lift, and carry stuff from one place to another. Aside from that, these 5 reasons will tell you why you shouldn’t neglect hand strengthening exercises:

1. Injury Prevention

Having a weak grip can affect the way you live. When your grip and forearm muscles are not conditioned properly, you could suffer from certain types of injuries. These types of injuries are also common among athletes.

For instance, tennis players suffer from a tennis elbow which is characterized by extreme pain on the outside of the elbow. Climbers can have the same pain but on the opposite side of the elbow. Like the athletes, ordinary people with desk jobs can suffer from the same injuries.

Although these can be treated with injections or massage, these issues will keep on coming back if you won’t do anything about your forearm and grip conditioning.

2. Overall Health Indicator

The benefits of having a strong grip does not stop with injury prevention. Grip strength can also be a great overall health indicator. Sports scientist, Thomas Kurz, suggests using a dynamometer in measuring the strength of a person’s grip. If the results show that the grip strength falls below the previous measurement, it could be mean fatigue or lack of optimal recovery.

3. Grip Strength Affects the Core

In order for your core to achieve its maximum gain, the muscles in both your upper and lower body must also be placed under tension. In addition, one of the most effective ab exercises is the hanging leg raise. The problem is, many people can’t go through long periods of hanging leg raise because their weak grip is holding them back. However, with a stronger grip, leg raises become much easier and achieving rock-hard abs won’t be so hard anymore.

4. Increased Hand Strength

Hand strengthening exercises are also great for building a strength on your wrists and arms. It’s especially effective when done at the gym since you’re workout program will involve lifting heavy weights. Athletes, gymnasts, and climbers benefit from these exercises since their sport requires a good grip for them to be able to support their weight.

5. Builds Endurance

When you have a strong grip, it becomes easier for you to carry your groceries, open a jar, and carry out activities for an extended period of time. Developing endurance also helps you perform more reps at the gym before your target muscles give out.

The importance of incorporating grip strength into our daily workout routine can’t be stressed enough. Aside from these benefits, hand strengthening exercises can help improve dexterity as well as enables you to lift heavier weights for maximum gain. Start by doing hand gripper exercises or tennis ball squeeze and build up to a more challenging exercise when you’re ready. Starting slow is already a big step to take and it will make a huge difference in your overall health and power.

by Biel Fit
www.bielfit.com
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Improve Your Grip with These 5 Hand Strengthening Exercises

Improve Your Grip with These 5 Hand Strengthening Exercises.While some people can open a jar of pickles without having much difficulty, not everybody is blessed with having a strong grip. According to Harvard physical therapist Maria Cole, we often rely on our hands to stay active and independent. She also added that having weak hands could hinder a person from enjoying life’s pleasures.
Having a strong grip is an important part of every person’s life. This is why it’s extremely important for us to be able to develop a strong grip we still can. With that said, here are 5 easy hand strengthening exercises you can do at home or at the gym to help you achieve a strong and firm grip.

1. Dumbbell Rotation

Aside from strengthening the muscles in your arm, dumbbell rotation is also perfect for improving your grip strength.

How to do it:

With a dumbbell on each hand, bend your arms and position it on a 90-degree angle in front of you. Keep your shoulders relaxed as you turn the dumbbells as far away from you as possible without putting so much strain on your wrists and then slowly bring your arms back to the original position. Do 12 to 15 reps before moving on to your next exercise.

2. Wrist Curls

This exercise is extremely beneficial for your wrist flexors which can improve the strength of your grip.

How to do it:

Grabbing a pair of light dumbbells, place your hands on top of a bench or a counter. Position your hand so that your palm would face downwards and flex your wrists toward you then down towards the floor making sure that your wrists are in contact with the bench or countertop the whole time. Do 2 sets of this exercise with 12 to 15 reps in each set.

3. Gripper Exercises (Speed Repetitions)

Hand grippers are the easiest and most convenient way to improve the strength in your hands. You can do it when you’re at your desk at work, or even when you’re just watching television at home.

How to do it:

With one hand, try to squeeze the hand grippers as many times as you can for a set amount of time. Repeat the same with the other hand with the same amount of time. You also have to make sure that you’re exerting the same pressure on each hand with every grip session.

4. Tennis Ball Squeeze

This is another simple exercise that everyone can do anytime. This is especially helpful when you’re having trouble with holding on to things. This exercise can also help you open that jar of pickles easily.

How to do it:

Hold a tennis ball or a rubber ball in one hand and start squeezing it as hard as you can for 3 to 5 seconds before releasing. Repeat 10 to 15 times before moving the ball to the other hand.

5. Towel Hangs

Towel hangs can actually help improve your grip by making your hands and forearms work harder to maintain its hold.

How to do it:

Start this exercise by hanging two towels shoulder-width apart over a pull-up bar. Grab the towels with each hand and lift your knees up so that your body will be hanging. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds per set.
Hand grip exercises are extremely important in every person’s workout. Aside from the fact that it improves your grip, these exercises could also improve dexterity as well as improve the quality of a person’s life as he/she ages. Start incorporating these routines to your workout weekly and work your way up from there and you’ll be sure to achieve that firm grip you’ve always wanted in no time.

by Biel Fit

www.bielfit.com

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The Benefits of Hand Strengthening According to Research

The Benefits of Hand Strengthening Exercises According to Research. Being healthy is probably the topmost priority for most people. In this modern age, we all know how important it is for us to maintain a healthy body to prevent diseases such as heart attack or stroke. For some, it means going regularly to the gym and doing some resistance workout but to others, simple hand strengthening exercises will do the trick.

A lot of people may not know this, but having a good grip can actually have a lot of benefits. For instance, hand strengthening exercises are extremely important for rock climbers in order for them to develop their grip and maintain their hold. For stroke survivors, these types of exercises are essential for them to regain their fine motor skills.

Aside from these, developing a strong grip could have other wonderful benefits. Let’s explore some of them below:

 1. Lowers the Risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke

Growing old is inevitable. The older the person gets, the more likely it is for him/her to experience stroke or suffer from cardiovascular diseases. And as nature would have it, their muscle mass would slowly start to decline as well.

A study published in The Lancet in July 2015 assessed the hand strength of 140,000 adults from ages 35 to 70. The results showed that a 5-kg decline in grip strength was associated with 17% increased risk of dying from a heart attack. 7% risk of having a heart attack and a 9% risk of experiencing stroke. They then concluded that stronger grips were associated with more muscle mass. The more muscle mass a person has, the less likely it is for him/her to experience heart diseases or stroke.

2. Improves Mobility

Did you know that your grip could also predict your mobility in your golden years? In fact, a study published by Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences established a connection between grip strength and mobility. The results showed that men who have weaker grips (less than 26 kg). Are more likely to face issues relating to mobility in the future compared to men who have normal strength grips.

3. Improved Quality of Life

Stronger grips are also associated with an improved quality of life especially at an older age. A study in 1999 concluded that among older people. Hand grips are a great indicator of functional limitations in later life. They also added that having good muscle strength is a great way to avoid any old age disabilities in the future.

Another study published by Oxford Academic in 2010 showed that people over 85 with weak hand grips. Are more likely to experience faster cognitive decline.

Hand strengthening exercises is usually the type of exercise most people often overlook. They think it’s a complete waste of time and effort. To perform an exercise that would only affect less than 5% of the body when in truth, it’s just as important as any other workouts.

The ones listed above are just some of the many advantages of having a strong grip. Although it’s just a small part of our body. Having a good grip could be actually be beneficial to a person – athlete or not – in a lot of ways. If it isn’t part of your exercise program yet, it might be a good idea to start incorporating it now.

by Biel Fit
www.bielfit.com
Check out our products and eBook

How To Lower Blood Pressure With Hand Gripping Exercises

How to lower the blood pressure with Hand Gripping Exercises? We know that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a warning sign of heart attack, stroke, vision problems and other cardiovascular dysfunction. Blood pressure varies continuously throughout the day in accordance with our physical activities. Morning hypertension is quite common, which is, for some people, their blood pressure may be too high in the morning.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower the blood pressure. Doing simple hand-grip exercises like squeezing the grippers with a resistance spring. Squeezing the egg-shaped ball along with your daily routine workout session, helps lower your blood pressure considerably. Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.

Our Biel Fit hand grip strengthener kits contain everything you need for your regular exercises - Adjustable Hand Strengtheners, Finger Exercisers, Finger Resistance Bands and Gel Balls.

Do you exercise regularly?

A normal blood pressure reading should be less than 135/85 mm Hg. Researchers found that gripping exercises can give you more impressive results in lowering the blood pressure in the short term. When compared to all other exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, dancing, climbing stairs etc., Monitor your progress by logging all your blood pressure readings with a home blood pressure monitor. With proper cuff size that matches the distance around your upper arm.

Unlike other exercises, the hand grip strengtheners are easy to carry, so you can do hand and finger exercises whenever possible. Since no one has to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, you can split your timings in a whole day interval and no need to do it at a stretch.

Who is in the high-risk zone?

As we age, we will become more vulnerable to high blood pressure. Two-thirds of people older than 60 years are in their risk zone.  Because of the food habits, emotional stress and health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol level or obesity, some middle-aged people are also included in this risk zone.

What are the Symptoms?

Often, high blood pressure has no symptoms at all and even if they knew. Some may forget or don't consider it as a big deal.
Never fail to contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, and numbness or tingling in your face or arms.
So regular exercise with prescribed medications, proper diet and hydration of the body will do the best job. "Prevention is better than cure", so normal people also should follow an exercise routine every day. Use hand grip strengtheners in addition to their regular exercise.

by Biel Fit

www.bielfit.com

Check out our products and eBook