Discovering the perfect grip strengthener just got easier – I’ve reviewed the top options on the market to help you find the best one for you.

Read This Before Choosing a Grip Strengthener

So, you’re sold on the idea of a hand grip strengthener- But, before you spend your money, here are a few considerations to help you find the right one for you.

Resistance Level

Not all hand strengtheners are created equal. The key here is finding the level of resistance that challenges you, without straining your muscles. Beginners might start with light resistance, while more advanced users might opt for a range of resistance levels that allows them to progress. The adjustable models, discussed in more detail later in the article, allow you to increase the resistance as your muscles grow. Cool, right?

Material & Quality

To the advanced weightlifter— you probably wouldn’t buy a flimsy dumbbell. So, don’t skimp on your grip strengthener. Look for high-quality materials that won’t slip out of your hands when you’re sweating. Steel springs and comfortable grip padding are key features in a well-built hand gripper. At the end of the day, this is an investment in your forearm, finger, and grip strength, so it’s okay to be picky.

Comfort & Ergonomics

Take into consideration the shape, size, and comfort of the padding before buying a grip strengthener. You want the hand gripper to feel good in your hand. Silicone handles may suit your grip better than metal, for example. The key here is to find an ergonomic design so that your training is pleasurable and you don’t find your hand gripper in a junk drawer two months later.

Price

The best grip strengthener for you, will not make you feel like you are breaking the bank to obtain it. With that being said, sometimes spending a little more can save you frustration (and lack of forearm strength) down the line. Either way, I recommend trying to find a balance between affordability and quality.

Recommendations for Different User Levels

Here are some tips to help you choose which resistance level to use:

Beginners:

If you’re new to using a hand gripper, start with a lower resistance level—usually around 60-100 pounds (or even less if you find this too hard). An adjustable gripper can be a good choice because it will allow you to gradually increase resistance as your strength improves.

Intermediate Users:

If you’ve been working on your grip strength for a while, you might choose a gripper with a resistance level between 100-150 pounds. At this stage, a standard gripper could work well, although some people may still prefer an adjustable model.

Advanced Users:

If you’ve been at this for a while, hand grippers with a resistance of over 150 pounds might be suitable. At this level, the durability and quality of the gripper are probably more relevant and important to you. Consider investing in a high-quality, non-adjustable model.

The Most Common Types of Grip Strengtheners

You’re almost there– Before you decide which grip strengthener is best for you, let’s go over some of the options.

Standard Grippers

These grippers are the OG grip strengtheners and the most common type you’ll see in stores and online. Standard grippers are usually the cheapest and come in various resistance levels. All standard grippers have two handles and are loaded by a spring in the middle.

Adjustable Hand Grippers

Self-explanatory, but these are basically standard grippers with adjustable weights. The great thing about this version is you can increase the weight as your grip strength progresses, instead of buying a new one. This version is also great if you are sharing this tool with someone else.

Finger Grippers

If you’re looking to improve your dexterity, finger grippers are great tools to help you target individual fingers. They usually come in 3 different forms: bands, extensor devices, and mini standard grippers.

Hand Therapy Balls

Stress balls are probably my favorite way to improve grip strength. Some hand therapy balls are fun, and double as stress relievers that are easy to use in between work sessions!

 

Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for…

Best Hand Grip Strengtheners on the Market 2023

*Note: We do have affiliate links throughout this article, which means we receive a commission if you purchase from any of our links. This supports our mission to bring complicated health and fitness info in an entertaining package. And it keeps us from putting up annoying things like banner ads. Those suck.

Best OG Grip Strengthener: IronMind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper

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Description:

If you’re looking for a simple but effective way to build an iron grip, the IronMind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper might be for you. This model has 10 different resistance levels to choose from, ranging between 60 lbs to 237 lbs, and thousands of raving reviews. This gripper is ideal for anyone serious about improving grip strength, as it is adjustable and allows you to progress as you go. In addition, this gripper feels high quality with its spring-loaded center and aluminum handles.

Specs:

• Handle material: Knurled aircraft-grade aluminum
• Weight range: 60lbs-365lbs
• Adjustable? No
• Price: $25.95-28.95

Pros:

• Available in 11 different strengths
• Reasonably priced
• Great option regardless of user level

Cons:

• Not adjustable

Best Adjustable Grip Strengthener: Everlast Adjustable Hand Grip – High Tension

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Description: The Everlast Adjustable Hand Grip – High Tension Gripper is for beginner and intermediate users who want to build a strong grip. This adjustable model provides two different resistance ranges, allowing you to progress as you go. Even if you’re a total novice, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can increase resistance given consistency and progressive overload. Because this model has adjustable resistance, it can also be shared with someone else.

Specs:

• Handle material: Silicone
• Weight range: 20-90lbs
• Adjustable? Yes
• Price: $19.99

Pros:

• Durable
• Affordable
• Adjustable grip strengthener, making progression in grip strength training easier
• Comes with a 120 day warranty

Cons:

• Probably not ideal for advanced lifters

Best Gripper On A Budget: Fitness Maniac Hand Gripper

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Description: If you’re looking to improve your grip strength or grip endurance, but feeling unwilling to break the bank, I hear you. Check out the Fitness Maniac Hand Gripper Pack, which comes with two hand grippers for only $9.99.

Specs:

• Handle material: Foam
• Weight Range: Not indicated, most likely light
• Adjustable? No
• Price: $9.99

Pros:

• Ideal for beginners
• Comfortable grip
• Comes with two

Cons:

• Not ideal for intermediate or advanced strength trainers

Best Finger Gripper: Two-Finger Utility Gripper

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Description: If you’re looking to enhance your pinch grip, or work on specific finger strengths, the Two-Finger Utility Gripper is a game changer. This little finger exerciser is small and compact, making it easy to take with you anywhere you go. Musicians, rock climbers, and surgeons— anyone who will benefit from enhanced dexterity, will love this tool.

Specs:

• Handle material: Aluminum
• Weight Range: Sold in 7 different strengths, ranging from “easy” to “bone-crushing”
• Adjustable? No
• Price: $29.95

Pros:

• Small, compact, can bring with you anywhere
• Allows you to perform isolate exercises on all fingers
• Great reviews

Cons:

• Not adjustable, might have to buy different strengths for different fingers or as you progress

 

Best Gripper for Seniors/Weak People: Gripzilla “Baby” Individual Gripper – 50lbs

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Description:

Using a grip strengthener that’s too heavy for you from the get-go is the best way to make sure it ends up shoved in the corner, never to be seen or used again. Thankfully, the GRIPZILLA “BABY” INDIVIDUAL GRIPPER has you covered. Starting at 50 lbs, this tool is ideal for baby grip trainers who are at the very beginning of their hand grip strength journey.

Specs:

• Handle material: Not indicated
• Weight Range: 50lbs
• Adjustable? No
• Price: $27.99

Pros:

• The handles are pink…duh.
• Not intimidating for beginners

Cons:

• Not ideal for intermediate or advanced weightlifters
• Expensive-ish for a beginner

 

Best Hand Gripper For Stress Relief: Iron Gloves Gravity Grip

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Description: These grip balls have versatile functionality, serving as both stress balls and grip strengtheners. More specifically, these balls are designed for purposes such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, stress relief, and physical fitness. They can also be used for warm-up exercises, supersets, or casually behind your desk at work.

Specs:

• Material: Not indicated
• Weight Range: Soft-Firm
• Adjustable? No, but comes in 3 different sizes and weights
• Price: $9.99

Pros:

• Can double as a fidget tool
• May help relieve tension as you squeeze
• A fun way to begin finger training
• Affordable

Cons:

• Only comes in 1 size, which may not be ideal for all hands

Best Hand Gripper For Weightlifters: Twist Yo’ Wrist

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Description: The Twist-Yo-Wrist is a grip training tool, unlike the rest. This tool comes with a 4ft rope to tie around plate weights and activate all muscles from your elbow to your fingertips. For this reason, it might be the most comfortable for athletes, weightlifters, and bodybuilders.

Specs:

• Handle material: N/A
• Weight range: Unlimited
• Adjustable? Yes
• Price: $56.95

Pros:

• Unlimited potential for improvement, unlike other models
• Can be done anywhere, as long as you have the plated weights

Cons:

• You need plate weights
• More expensive

Benefits of Using Grip Strengtheners

Now that you’ve chosen the best grip strengthener for you, let’s go over some of the benefits. For more on this, we’ve written a whole article on the benefits of grip strengtheners. We’ve also gone deep on exercises to improve your grip strength.

More Muscles

This may sound obvious, but hand grippers if used correctly, can increase muscle mass. If we’re just talking about aesthetics alone, need I say more? More muscles will give your body a more defined, toned look that might come in handy when you’re chilling on the beach this Summer.

Increase Muscular Endurance

This is especially helpful on the last set of a heavy deadlift when the barbell is milliseconds away from slipping out of your hands. Grip strength exercises with the hand gripper will help train your grip to resist fatigue, which will be helpful both in and out of the gym. More endurance will have you perform more intense lifts, as well as carry your grocery bags for longer distances.

Enhanced Performance in Sports

Think about all of the sports that involve our grip— pickle-ball, rugby, lacrosse, and powerlifting are just some of the few. A stronger grip will allow you to have more control, precision, and endurance while you play.

Stress Relief

A lot of grip strengtheners double as stress-relief tools, helping you melt away tension in the middle of a stressful workday. Think about it as therapy for your hands, but for free and with triple the benefits.

For more information about the benefits of grip strengtheners, check out this article.

The Right Way to Use Grip Strengtheners

When you’re ready to start training with your hand gripper, come back to this section to read more about how to use it effectively.

Good Form

Similar to strength training, form matters when you are performing grip exercises, too. If you are using a standard or adjustable hand gripper, you’ll want to hold it with your thumb on the bottom and your fingers on top. Squeeze the gripper slowly, and make sure you maintain control as you release. You don’t want it to feel like you are aggressively trying to squeeze a lemon. Slow and controlled, your hand muscles will thank you!

Consistency

Finding the best grip strengthener alone won’t give you a crushing grip. Like any other muscle group, progressive overload is important if you want to progress. This means you are increasing the intensity of the hand exerciser on a regular and consistence basis. You can do this by increasing the resistance, decreasing time in between sets, and doing more reps.

Rest & Recovery

Don’t be that guy that trains his grip 7x a week and ends up in Urgent Care with a strain injury, absolutely fumbling the bag. Start with a resistance level that’s appropriate for your strength (more on this later), and give your hands, fingers, and forearm muscles time to recover between sessions.

Grip Training Exercises

Now that you know the basics behind the form, progressive overload, and rest, here are a few exercises to get you started:

 

The Basic Squeeze:

The basic grip squeeze is the most basic way to use a hand gripper tool. All you have to do is hold the gripper in your hand, squeeze the handles together, and then slowly release them.

Try 10-15 reps on each hand and repeat 2-3 times.

 

One Finger Squeeze:

This exercise helps work individual fingers for increased dexterity. Hold the hand gripper as you would in the basic grip squeeze, but use only one finger (along with your thumb) to squeeze the hand gripper. Do this for each finger, aiming for 2-3 sets of 10-15 squeezes per finger.

This exercise will help you work the smaller, individual muscles in your fingers (aka, dexterity). Hold the gripper like you would in a basic grip squeeze, but use one finger at a time (in combination with your thumb), squeeze, and then release.

Try this 10-15 times and repeat for 2-3 sets.

 

The Hold:

This technique helps with endurance. The name is pretty self-explanatory. All you have to do is squeeze the handles and hold for 5-10 seconds before releasing.

Try 5-10 reps on each hand for 2-3 sets.

 

Rapid Squeeze and Release:

This one is great for improving quick-release skills, which will be helpful with activities like rock climbing or martial arts. Squeeze the hand gripper together as quickly as you can and release immediately. The key is speed rather than endurance or maximum strength. Do 2-3 sets and 15-20 rapid squeezes in each hand.

Remember, consistency is essential if you want to see improvements in your grip strength and endurance. With that being said, it may be helpful to keep a training log so that you can see how you progress week to week. On top of that, ensure you are leaving adequate time for your hand and forearm muscles to rest in between sessions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I make sure I’m making progress while using my grip strengthener?

To measure progress, I highly recommend keeping a training log. In your training log, you will want to record the number of reps, duration, and resistance level.

As weeks progress, and you feel the exercises getting easier, increase the number of reps, duration, or resistance level to ensure you continue to make progress. This is also known as “progressive overload.”

How often should I use a grip strengthener for the best results?

This will depend on your current fitness level and personal goals. With that being said, 3-5x per week is a good starting point. If you aren’t noticing any improvement in your grip strength after 1-2 weeks, increase the frequency, reps, or duration of the exercise.

If you have an injury, consult with a rehab professional before starting.

Who are grip strengtheners for?

The great thing about grip strengtheners is that they don’t discriminate. Grip strengtheners are for everyone. Athletes, weightlifters, musicians, and rehab patients are just some of the few that can benefit from using a hand gripper. Even the average Joe Shmoe will see noticeable improvements in grip strength with consistent use.

Can grip strengtheners be used for rehab after an injury?

Yes. Hand grippers can be a useful tool in rehabilitation programs for hand and wrist injuries. Although if this is the case for you, it’s important to use them under the guidance of a physical therapist to prevent further injury.

What’s the difference between using a grip strengthener and traditional weightlifting for improving grip strength?

Great question. Hand grippers are limited to isolated exercises in the hands and forearms. More specifically, they don’t have the ability to work other muscle groups such as the back or legs.

Many weight training exercises that target grip strength are compound movements and activate your grip in conjunction with another muscle group. A few examples of these movements are pull-ups, heavy-weight deadlifts, and cable rows.

If you don’t want to purchase a hand gripper, however, there are movements you can perform with dumbbells that isolate grip and forearm strength as well.

Will using hang grippers make me live longer?

No, not necessarily. These claims came out because of the research claiming that weaker grip strength was associated with higher mortality rates. While there is an association between grip strength and mortality rates, it’s important to remember that correlation does not equal causation.

It’s more likely that grip strength serves as a proxy for overall strength, which is often associated with enhanced quality of life and longevity.

With that being said, there are still many benefits that you can receive by consistently using a grip strengthener such as increased muscle mass and endurance, enhanced sports performance, and stress relief.

Can grip strength be improved at any age, and what are the best practices for doing so?

Yes, grip strength can be improved at any age. The best way to start is by choosing a hand gripper with the correct resistance level for you. Buying one that’s too heavy is the best way to make sure you never start.

If you’re older, and don’t regularly exercise, check out the “Best grip strengthener for seniors/weak people” listed above.

Once you’ve chosen the best grip strengthener for you, head to the section “Grip Training Exercises” for more information on what to do.

Are there any risks I should be aware of before using a hand gripper?

As with any form of strength training, the risks exist but are minimal. If you do not give yourself proper rest and recovery time in between sessions or are using the gripper with incorrect form, you may find yourself with a strain injury.

Check out the section “The Right Way To Use Grip Strengtheners” for more information on this.