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Best grip strengthener 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023
Hi there, I’m Brayden Diaz. I spent 29 hours researching and testing 16 different types of grip strengthener and found that material, variety of sizes, and style were most important.
My main objective is to write article on these subject so that buyers like you can have the best assistance and education in making that next purchase. In this section we provide our readers with a comparison table of our top picks. Scroll past the table for a closer look at each of the 3 best grip strengthener in our review section.
Best grip strengthener of 2018
We’ve narrowed down our options based on the customer feedback (read positive reviews), functionality, material and size. In other words, we’ve put all fundamentals into consideration to come up with a comprehensive list that suits various needs. Many models on the market may be confusing to a person who is shopping for their first time.
Welcome to my website! If you plan to buy grip strengthener and looking for some recommendations, you have come to the right place. The “Total” indicates the overall value of the product.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
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| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Ease of use |
5 points
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4 points
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4 points
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| Size |
5 points
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4 points
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4 points
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| Durability |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
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| Value |
4 points
|
5 points
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5 points
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| Awards |  |
||
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the grip strengthener by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Finger Strengthener by Vive
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this grip strengthener win the first place?
I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I was completely satisfied with the price. Its counterparts in this price range are way worse. I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product.
5
|
5
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5
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4
|
№2 – Grip Strength Trainers [Pair] by Vive – Two Grip Strengtheners – Forearm Hand Exerciser for Therapy
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this grip strengthener come in second place?
Seems that the material is good. It has a very beautiful color but I don’t really like the texture. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice.
4
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4
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5
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5
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№3 – Kootek Hand Grip Strengthener Strength Trainer Adjustable Resistance 22-88 Lbs Hand Exerciser Non-slip Gripper for Athletes Pianists Kids
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this grip strengthener take third place?
A very convenient model. It is affordable and made of high-quality materials. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new.
4
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4
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4
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5
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grip strengthener Buyer’s Guide
How to get stronger legs for cycling
Use light weights and be extra careful to avoid injury with this exercise.
Standing with your forearms at 90 degrees to your body and your elbows tucked in to your ribs, rotate your lower arm and wrist through a full 180 degrees.
Track progress throughout a rehabilitation program
In addition to being used in rehabilitation, handheld dynamometers are also often used in sports training and recovery program to evaluate hand grip strength, but to also help create strength training programs in sports like baseball, tennis, rock climbing to help athletes improve athletic performance in activities like: throwing, catching or lifting.
Another great digital dynamometer is the
The J-Tech Commander handheld dynamometer helps practitioners reliably test muscles strength and even helps identify points of weakness and areas of improvement. The biggest benefit of the Commander Power Track MMT, is that it can store 40 tests with up repetitions per side, with the ability to also record peak force and compute CV and strength deficits. In order to ensure no outside forces can skew results, the Commander Hand Dynamometer has an ergonomic design for increased ease of use.
Captains of Crush Hand Gripper
If you have done any research into hand grippers you have probably come across the captains of crush hand gripper. They are probably the most famous of the options in this guide and with good reason.
Ironmind who manufacture the grippers are a well-known and high-quality company. There are 1different strength level options. Be sure to carefully check which one you have selected before you buy. If you are just starting out then the lower end 60-pound option might be fine for you. If however, you have a higher level of strength than a higher resistance level would be more suitable.
My advice would be to select the option you will start with and also buy the one directly above it. That way you can work through your starting level and progress to the next. There are relatively inexpensive so buying two will not break the bank.
In terms of quality, the captains of crush hand grippers are very well made and durable. Unlike some plastic options, the steel used here will mean you have them for many years to come.
Gripmaster Hand Exerciser
The gripmaster hand exerciser as you can see is based on a completely different design. It has a more specific focus on being a finger strengthener while also helping to strengthen the wrist and forearm.
Some common users for this version would be those specifically looking for finger exercises. These include rock climbers and office workers.
If you are looking for something specifically for wrist strength then the Gripmaster hand exerciser is probably not for you. However, finger strength is frequently overlooked. If you were to combine the Gripmaster with the captains of crush hand gripper it would provide a great combination.
One other area they are useful for is for certain musicians such as guitar and piano players.
There are many other options out there but few offer the quality and value for money that these two options do. My opinion would be to get both and use them togetether but they do both work well independantly also.
View on Rogue Website
Pinching heavy blocks or the ends of dumbbells is a tried and tested method for building jaw-like fingers.
In my opinion, this is the most difficult style of grip training. I have endured many cramping fingers and thumbs while pinching blocks so beware of that.
I like the Rogue pinch blocks because you can add different amounts of weight to them. This takes out the need to buy different blocks as you progress over time. You can even attach them to a pull-up bar for a serious challenge.
Laine Norton
I am a strength training enthusiast that loves discovering new ways to get stronger. As a certified trainer and powerlifting competitor, I’m always looking for different training methods and advice. I hope to pass some of what I learn on to my fellow lifters.
Gripmaster Pro Edition
Super Exercise Band ft. Long Resistance Bands. Flat Latex Free Home Gym Fitness Equipment For Physical Therapy, Pilates, Stretch, Yoga, Strength Training Workout. In Light, Medium or Heavy Tension.
Ironmaster Quick-Lock
The main benefit of poly dacron is that it doesn’t shed. Manila ropes perform great if you’re only using them outside, but they are a little more expensive and they shed little fibers every time you use them, which can be a pain to clean up if you’re inside. Manila ropes are also 10% to 25% more expensive than comparable polydac ropes. I’d only recommend manila if you want a more organic product (manila is made from hemp plant fibers) or if you only plan to use these outside.
If you go with a polydac rope, it’s helpful to differentiate between “cheap” polydac and “good” polydac. The truth is “polydac” has becoming something of a marketing term, with lots of wiggle room in the manufacturing process for how that material is created and what ratio of polypropelen to dacron blend is used. It’s hard to explain until you’ve actually held a cheap rope in your hand or tried to use it, but they feel more fibrous and they are definitely less fluid than either good polydac or manila ropes. Fluidity is key during a battle rope workout.
A couple additional material notes
Shorter ropes aren’t as fluid, but they allow for smaller spaces. Because your rope will essentially be folded in half at an anchor point, you need a straight line that is half the length of your rope. For a 50′ rope you’ll need 2feet of clear space.
The most popular battle rope length is 50 feet, followed by 40′ and 30′ respectively. You can find ropes as short as feet, but you’re not going to be able to use for traditional battle rope exercises. A 50′ battle rope leaves you with 25′ in each arm.
I recommend: All things being equal, and if you’re unsure of which one to get, I recommend the 50 foot length. The longer rope will not necessarily make the workout harder, but will definitely make your motions more “fluid”. The shorter lengths can slap and catch because your undulations won’t make it all the way down the rope before they hit the anchor point and send feedback back through the rope.
Thickness
If you’re new to battle ropes (not matter who you are), start with a 1.5″ rope. If you’re experienced and think you’re ready for another challenge, go for a 2″. If you’re Superman or the Hulk (and you have massive hands), try a 2.5″.
Thicker ropes require bigger hands and greater grip strength.
If you’re looking for high intensity, cardio blasting workouts, I recommend the 1.5″ diameter battle rope. These ropes will allow you to go hard, maintain a solid grip, and will fit perfectly into a circuit training workout.
If it’s muscles you’re after and you’re prepared to perform a workout that feels more like a bench press than wind sprints the, 2.” width battle rope is for you. These ropes are 35% larger than the 1.5″ width ropes and require a larger hand and stronger grip to maintain control of the battle rope.
Westside Bar from Rogue
The “whip” is the common term for the ends of the bar bouncing at the end of a repetition, or a phase of a lift. The lifter will be stationary, but the ends of the bar will be moving.
Experienced lifters can use this during certain transitions in their lifts. For example, between the clean and jerk they can bounce the bar off their chest and propel the bar up by using the momentum of the bend coming upward into the jerk position.
The main factors in determining the amount of whip are the material from which the bar is made, and the diameter of the bar.
The thickness of the plates can also effect the whip that the user can generate. For example, bumper plates, spreading the load on the collar of the bar, will make the bar behave in a completely different to the way it will behave with calibrated weight plates, which take up less collar space.
Knurling
Knurling is made from two sets of diagonal grooves cut into the barbell, usually going in opposite directions. This forms tiny diamond shapes, which dig into the skin on your hands when you hold the bar and assist with grip.
The width and depth of these grooves will determine how “aggressive” the knurling is on the barbell.
More aggressive knurling is primarily to assist with heavy deadlifts, where grip failure is the most likely.
The further in the knurling comes, the narrower you can effectively grip the bar. Weight lifting bars designed for powerlifting tend to have more knurling towards the centre of the bar for the use of sumo lifters who grip inside of what would be a normal grip for a conventional deadlift or clean.
A portion of knurling in the centre of the bar (known as central knurling) helps with grip on your back during squats. Both IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) and the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) specify that a men’s barbell should have this.
Some specialised squat bars have a very wide central knurling to allow for use by larger men.
As mentioned earlier, the knurling is less aggressive on men’s Olympic bars, as when they catch a clean they don’t want aggressive knurling at the neck, but it is still there to assist with squats.
A woman’s weight lifting bar has no centre knurling. If central knurling is required during squats then using a male bar is preferable. The wider bar will also make squatting more comfortable on the upper back.
Olympic Weight Lifting Bars
Olympic weight lifting barbells are designed for the two main Olympic lifts – the snatch, and clean & jerk.
Olympic bars are usually smaller in diameter, but only by 1mm. However, this makes a difference to your grip strength.
The knurling on Olympic weight lifting bars is not as aggressive as other weight lifting bars. There must be enough to provide a good grip, but not so much that it rips your hands apart when the bar spins in your hand during the catch phases of the lifts.
Knurling is marked out for the snatch lift and is further apart than a power bar which is marked out for the bench press.
Olympic bars also require collars that spin. The spin on the bar deadens the rotational force of the barbell during the pull and catch phases of an Olympic lift (during snatch and clean) or the dip and drive (jerk or push press) reducing the impact on your wrists and shoulders.
Olympic bars also require more bend and flexibility. This is sometimes called the whip (stored elastic energy), which helps during the initial pull and catch phase of the lift to avoid unnecessary damage to your collarbones.
Bars which have achieved IWF accreditation are widely recognised as the best on the market (with the most accurate tolerance in relation to the bar’s weight) and only these types of bar are sanctioned for use in international competition. View IWF accredited bars.
Powerlifting Bars
Weight lifting barbells for powerlifting are designed for the big three lifting exercises: Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift.
Knurling on powerlifting bars is much more aggressive to help the lifter grip the bar during heavier attempts.
The knurling comes in further than an Olympic bar to allow for narrower grips during deadlifts and a more secure squat.
Specialised deadlifting bars are available that are longer and have more whip. This means the end plates are left on the ground for longer, which allows the lifter to get into a stronger position before the full load comes off the floor.
Hybrid, Training & Multipurpose Weight Lifting Bars
Hybrid weightlifting bars are useful for gyms, CrossFit boxes and facilities that offer both Olympic weight lifting and Powerlifting.
Hybrid weight lifting barbells are great for beginner and intermediate weight lifters as they have the characteristics of both a powerlifting and Olympic weight lifting bar.
Hybrid barbells usually have two sets of fine knurling markings to accommodate for both Olympic lifting and power lifting standards.
Hex Trap Bar
The Hex Bar (or Trap bar) is an interesting barbell variation that is most commonly used in the gym for deadlifting as an alternative to the traditional straight bar deadlift. Many people prefer the trap bar deadlift because due to the load being placed in line with the user rather than off centre it puts less stress on the lumbar curve especially at the start of the movement. This makes it a common choice for users with back issues. Hex bars are normally 6ft or 7ft long and weigh around 25kg and 30kg respectively.
EZ-Curl Bar
The EZ Curl bar is a shorter barbell variation which tends to be quite light weight and has a distinctive jagged shape. The advantages of this type of bar tend to be felt by users who experience discomfort in their wrists when using a straight bar for curls (the angle of the EZ Curl bar lets them grip the bar in a more natural position).
Fixed Barbells
Fixed barbells are more commonly found in a health club, high street gym setting than in any sports performance, weightlifting or powerlifting facility. These are a durable convenience item that doesn’t require any set-up time like adding collars or plates. Fixed barbells are generally around 110mm long and range in weights from 5kg up to 45kg.
While I could lament for days on this being why it is so hard to find an open bench on Mondays, I’m actually here to talk about the most underrated and neglected workout – one that will dramatically improve the quality of all other workouts.
Increase muscular endurance
When you improve your forearm and hand strength, inevitably you will be able to perform more repetitions for whatever it is you like to do.
Many lifters have learned that their large muscle groups are not the problem; it’s actually a fatigue in the grip that holds them back. Training the muscle groups responsible for grip allows greater conditioning overall, and hey, you will probably be able to lift heavier things.
Gripmaster Hand Strengthener
The FingerMaster is another awesome option for those recovering from injury, seeking individual finger strengthening, or working toward general improved grip strength.
It is versatile, as it is designed with five individual finger pistons, ranging from 3-8.pounds, that can be independently manipulated or locked into place to meet individual needs and specifications. In turn, this allows for more variety in hand and finger exercises, along with a more customizable program.
Whereas its competitors are typically designed with alloy steel or hard plastic, this hand-strengthening tool is created from soft, malleable rubber that allows for extra comfort, and its core is made from a high-quality copper to ensure durability.
SideWinder Forearm and Grip Strengthener
The Sidewinder Pro: The most sleekly designed and therefore compact and portable grip gadget, the Sidewinder Pro is a great tool for beginners to intermediate athletes to use.
Resistance is completely adjustable with a calibrated tension knob, and it’s crafted from solid parts that include steel tubing, machined aluminum, and neoprene handles.
The grip handle is 1.inches in diameter, so it is a bit smaller than its upgrade, the Sidewinder Pro Extreme. This brand also offers a convenient lifetime warranty, which makes up for it being a bit on the pricier side.
Years ago, when I purchased my first barbell I didn’t put much thought into type or quality. They are just barbells…right? That thinking (or lack thereof) led to my first barbell breaking within 2hours of purchase.
Barbell Basics
A commonly used barbell has a 28-2mm diameter shaft for men and 2mm for women. Barbells come in all shapes and sizes, but the standard length is 7.ft for men and ~6.ft for women. They weigh ~4pounds for men (20 kg) and ~3pounds for women (15kg).
If, say, you like Olympic lifting and you prefer a wide snatch grip, I suggest getting a bar with knurling that extends to the sleeves (if that sentence made no sense, then don’t worry about knurling going to the sleeves).
If you are often shirtless or do high-rep front squats and presses (CrossFit anyone?), you may want to go with no center knurling. If you regularly squat heavy weights and need the bar to grip the back, get the center knurling.
Furthermore, the markings on the knurl indicate which type of bar you are using. I recommend a dual marked bar for general purpose use. However, the outermost marking indicates an Olympic lifting bar and the inner marking indicates a powerlifting bar, and we’ll talk more about those in a minute.
It comes down to how it meets your needs and style of fitness.
Barbell Strength
At this point, you already know more than your average gym-goer, but let’s make you a true barbell connoisseur.
Bar strength is reported in three areas: tensile strength, yield strength, and test.
Tensile strength is the maximum load your bar can support without fracturing or breaking. So high tensile strength = good bar. This will be your primary determining factor.
There is also test, which means the bar has been loaded and tested with weights at which there was no bending or breaking, so the higher, the better. It’s best if you can find a manufacturer that will give you a tensile strength rating, which is reported in pounds per square inch (PSI).
A bar in the good range is perfectly acceptable and will last a very long time. Considering cost and quality, most people do not need more than the “good” level bar.
Barbell Plates
Next, you have to think about plates. Unless you plan on competing at the professional level, plate quality is not as vital as the quality of your barbell.
The most frequently asked question is whether to purchase bumper plates or iron (metal) plates, and that depends on the type of lifting you plan to do. If you like powerlifting (squat, bench press, and deadlift), then you will be just fine with iron plates. If you are dropping the bar frequently during CrossFit workouts or practicing the snatch and clean and jerk in Olympic weightlifting, you’ll need bumpers.
Personally, I prefer a blend of iron and bumper plates in my arsenal, and I’ll explain why and some considerations in just a minute. First, let’s talk bumper plates.
When it comes to bumper plates, what you are paying for is the thickness of the plate and how much they bounce when dropped.
Here is a quick breakdown of their categories
They all should be 450mm disks with a 50mm opening. Economy black bumper plates are going to be good enough for 95% of people; 4.9% will want/need colored bumpers or Olympic training bumpers, and.1% will need certified Olympic competition bumpers. Colored plates generally follow a color coding, and some companies do follow the color code of the International Weightlifting Federation, but not all do. The official color coding can be found at the IWF website.
I like to have around 300 lb. of cheap iron plates along with another couple hundred pounds of black bumpers. I use the bumpers for when I am going to be dropping the weight, and I use a combination of iron and bumpers if I am doing a heavy back squat.
You’ll be hard pressed to find bumper plates at a garage sale, so you will need to order them online, but iron plates are a completely different story.
For iron, here’s where you use the power of Craigslist to find a lot of weight for pennies on the dollar. People are constantly moving, giving up on at-home fitness, and letting plates sit in their garage and rust. That’s a win for us! The easiest way to shop for plates is to put it on autopilot using a combination of Craigslist and IFTTT; you can read about how that works here. Basically, you set up a program that will notify you when plates come up for sale in your price range.
Ways to Increase Grip Strength
There are many ways to develop your grip strength, beyond just using the equipment shown in the section above. However, it should be noted that while the classic hand and forearm work done and taught in gyms usually includes wrist curls, these really do not have anywhere near as big of an impact as other exercises.
Open Hand Training
As far as grip-specific exercises go, the easiest thing you can do is to choose implements that force you to lift with your hand in a more open position. One simple way to do this is to use Fat Gripz or Grip4orce handles when performing your pulling and curling movements. These go right onto the handles of the implements and require more of your hands during the movement because your fingers cannot wrap completely around the bar or dumbbell.
Two Hands Pinch
Place two plates together smooth-sides-out, such as a pair of 35’s or 45’s. Then, run a pipe through the center hole and add more weight to the pipe. Grip the set-up in an overhand grip and try to lift it to lockout. You can go for maximum weight lifted or just perform repetitions or holds for time. The implement shown above is the adjustable device used in grip strength contests. The Two Hands Pinch is one of the staple events.
Towel Training
Towels can be used for instant thick and dynamic gripping surfaces (make sure it is a strong towel that won’t rip). For instance, you can loop a towel over a bar and perform pull-ups (similar to the rope pull-ups below), attach one to a cable machine for pull-downs and rows, or around a kettlebell (shown above) for an even more dynamic and metabolic method of training the grip.
Plate Curls
Hook your thumb over the edge of a 25-lb plate and support it with your palm and straight fingers. Next, try to perform a curl with the plate, trying to keep your wrist and fingers from buckling under the pressure. This is one of the most basic grip training methods, yet one of the most difficult.
Inverted Dumbbell Lift
Stand a 30- to 40-lb dumbbell up on its head and try to lift it with one hand by the top in a claw grip. Use the number for a grip aid if you need to. Once you get it this way, try it without using the number. All dumbbells are different and vary in level of difficulty based on their shape, finish of paint, and more, but it is a very good training method.
New pitted handle design on the right
For those interested in kettlebell sport, Kettlebell Kings Competition kettlebells meet all major Kettlebell Sport Competition Standards. Kettlebell Kings offers several sets of competition kettlebells at a discount, which will go a long way to getting you outfitted for kettlebell training at a lower overall cost.
The Paradigm Pro Elite kettlebells are designed from the ground up to be high precision fitness tools. These kettlebells are cast as a single piece of steel with no seams, burrs, or welds and no filler material. This is just an all around well made kettlebell that is very comfortable to use for long periods.
The feature I like the most about the Paradigm Pro Elite kettlebells is the finish. The steel is finished slightly rough and provides more grip than most competition kettlebells typically finished smooth. The rougher finish also holds a lot of chalk. The handle window is wide enough to fit two hands in, which is great for two-hand swings.
Could Be Better
I bought this brand because it advertised that “allows the user to set the tension from x-light to hard without purchasing a separate item”. Sounds great but there is no “x-light” tension on this. The lightest setting is about the same tension as my Grip Master Medium. The Grip Master is better constructed. You should buy the Grip Masters in different tension versions. It would also be faster to switch units than to have to screw different adjustments on the Varigrip. Though if you need a device that can adjust for a sprained, strained or weak specific finger then the Varigrip is your choice. You just won’t find an X-light or light tension setting on it.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the grip strengthener by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your grip strengthener wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of grip strengthener
- №1 — Finger Strengthener by Vive
- №2 — Grip Strength Trainers [Pair] by Vive – Two Grip Strengtheners – Forearm Hand Exerciser for Therapy
- №3 — Kootek Hand Grip Strengthener Strength Trainer Adjustable Resistance 22-88 Lbs Hand Exerciser Non-slip Gripper for Athletes Pianists Kids
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about grip strengthener is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
