Exercising is one of the essential activities that a human being should engage in regularly. Some people think that only athletes need to workout.
This is far from the truth. Your body needs to be active to enable the various processes to take place successfully.
It helps condition the body making it well-suited for daily activities. It also improves the general wellbeing of the individual in terms of both physical and mental health.
One of the parts of the body that people often overlook when exercising is the forearm. This article talks about grip strength and the importance of workout routines that engages the forearm. You can also checkout GripStrength for more details.
Table of Contents
What is grip strength?
In simple terms it can be described as how tight your hands can hold onto something. This is influenced by the strength of the muscles of the forearm.
It is these muscles that are responsible for the flexing and extending motions. The two types of motion form the basis for various actions such as holding, squeezing, clasping, clenching, and much more.
To be able to perform them properly the muscles should be strong enough and well-developed. This requires a variety of exercises that isolate and specifically train the forearm muscles. Here are some of the exercises that are meant for this particular task.
- Hand clenching
This is a simple exercise that can be performed anywhere hence is convenient. Although it can be done by simply clenching and unclenching your fists, it is more effective when done using a small rubber ball.
All you have to do is squeeze it using your fingers but without the thumb. Repeating the action a number of times make for a great workout that engages your fingers, palm, wrist, and other muscles of the arm.
You can use a specific ball made for this purpose or even use a tennis ball.
- Wringing a wet cloth
If you do your laundry by manually washing the clothes then this is a forearm workout itself. If you use a washing machine you can still take time to do this by making a towel wet with water then wringing it until the water stops dripping. This allows you to use both your hands.
- Push-ups using your fingertips
You probably already know that there are a lot of push-up variations that can be used to work the different muscles in the body.
Although it is mostly used to work the chest area and strengthen the arms, it is also good for the core.
Using your fingertips for support instead of placing your whole palm on the ground will effectively engage the forearm and improve your grip strength.
- Pulling a loaded rope
As simple as it may seem pulling a rope with a load attached at the other end is a great exercise for your arms. You can adjust it by increasing the load gradually as you advance. Take care not to hurt yourself by trying to pull a rope that is loaded with a too heavy weight.
- Use a rubber band to engage your fingers
This is a good way to relax at the office. After long hours of strenuous work at the office, it is nice to take a break to rest a little bit. You can stretch your fingers using a rubber band while seated at your workstation or even outside. It also engages your mind hence can boost productivity. See this link to read more https://www.self.com/story/benefits-of-resistance-bands
These are just but some of the tried and tested effective exercises. You should find out the ones that work out best for you and you can stick to them for results.
Why should you train your forearms?
A lot of day-to-day activities involve the use of hands. If the muscles are not strong enough you will get tired easily and this will hinder your productivity. Here are some of the applications that require you to have strong forearms and proper grip strength.
- Sports
Whether you are playing sports that are highly physical such as rugby and basketball or less physical like golf, grip strength matters a lot and can be the difference between winning and losing. If you want to take your game to the next level then it is wise to incorporate some of the exercises outlined above into your workout routine.
- Handshake
It is often said the first impression is everything. This is because the mental impression that is created on the mind of the person you meet is long-lasting and will determine how they think of you.
Having a firm handshake portrays you as a confident individual. As a business person, for instance, you need to convey the message that you are professional and ready for business. A firm handshake can help you close the deal.
- Farming
If you prefer to do your farming the traditional way by using manual farming equipment then you will need to have a strong grip. Hoeing, for example, is an activity that is very hard to do properly if you lack the required forearm strength. You will end up doing a lousy job and you can also accidentally hurt yourself in the process.
- Opening containers
It is good to be able to open the jar lid or bottle top even when there is no opener. Otherwise, you might one day find yourself in a tight spot if you happen to be alone and you can’t open whatever it is that you need to use. Click here to read more insights.
Conclusion
A healthy body requires more than just nutrients and adequate rest. The muscles have to be engaged for them to strengthen and grow. Those of the forearm are particularly of great importance considering the fact that we use our hands daily to perform a lot of tasks. The good news is that you don’t have to go to the gym to be able to do these exercises. You can do them at home and some can even be done at the workplace. Thus you don’t have to worry about inconveniences. Do them regularly and you will see a significant improvement in your grip strength.
