How to Strengthen Your Grip

When you think about fitness and muscle strength, you typically think about rock-hard abs or bulging biceps. While these muscles may be important, there are few muscle groups in the body more important than the muscles in the hand.

Instructions

1. Use fist push-ups to strengthen your grip. Fist push-ups are identical to regular push-ups except that you use the fist, rather than the palm, to push off the floor.

2. Do fingertip push-ups. These push-ups use the fingertips instead of the palms. Once you master the 10-finger push-up, gradually decrease the number of fingers you use until you are down to just two fingers on one hand.

3. Spread your fingers apart as wide as possible. Hold your fingers out for two seconds, and then bring your fingers in for a tight fist. Hold your fist for two seconds, and then repeat the process. This is an "isometric fist."

4. Do an isometric pinch. Pinch your thumb and index finger together tightly for two seconds. Then, spread the two digits as far apart as you can. Repeat this process using the thumb and your other fingers.

5. Climb a rope. Rope climbing provides a true physical strengthening activity.

Tips & Warnings

• If fist push-ups or fingertip push-ups are too difficult at first, you can start by doing them off of a wall. Begin by leaning into the wall at a 60-degree angle, and gradually reduce the angle until you are ready to do them flat on the floor.