Why is Grip Strength Important?

Grip strength is not only good for shaking someone’s hand with confidence, but it actually can help predict overall health. In a 2015 study, researchers showed that people with stronger grip strength sowed a 16 percent higher risk of death from any cause. This study also showed that an increase in grip strength also lessens your risk for cardiovascular disease. Grip strength is also very important when you are rehabbing and elbow or shoulder injury. Here are some of our favorite exercises to help improve your grip strength that we use in our office:

1. Farmer Carries: Farmer carries are a great way to build up your grip strength and is also a sneaky core exercise too. Carrying heavy weight will fatigue our grip strength and also help us when we are trying to carry all of your groceries into the house in one trip!

2. Rack Walk: Kettlebell Rack Walk’s are when you have the bell part of the KB up and you tuck your elbow down and into your side.

3. Active hanging: Hanging from a bar in a hollow position (core braced and legs slightly out in front of you) for time is a great way to build up your grip strength.

These are some of our favorites grip strength exercises. If you have pain with any of these exercises, you should stop them and give us or your healthcare provider a call to help!