conditioning for forearms and hand grip

[niqaeli]

I could probably google this, but I figured I'd ask around here first!

For reasons that are not actually immediately climbing-related (though I do want to get more into climbing at a point where I can afford to tear my hands up), I'm in desperate need of conditioning exercises for forearms and hand grip. And I could not think of anyone who would know such conditioining exercise *better* than climbers. (All other athletic endeavours I've been into before didn't particularly value strength in those areas.)

So! What are your favourite ones? Is there any equipment you find particularly useful?

Comments

[rydra_wong]

Oooh, awesome. *rubs hands*

Question first: what kind of grip strength, primarily? Concentric or isometric? I.e. are you squeezing something so it gets smaller, or gripping/hanging from it very hard while it stays the same shape? Climbing-related stuff is almost entirely the latter.

ETA:

Is there any equipment you find particularly useful?

Is this because you want to know what can be done with minimal equipment, or because you'd like to buy fun toys? *g* Either answer is valid!

[niqaeli]

Both, actually -- I'm working as a massage therapist again and holy fuck my strength is not where it was. And you do actually end up doing a lot of isometric work in terms of grip (your arm as a whole might be moving, but your forearm/grip is being held tightly in the same position -- and then you do also end up holding position tightly without moving at ALL, which is what is absolutely slaying me right now). And I've been watching sports and also thinking about athletics in general and I had this thought that, you know, maybe I should start some conditioning for it!

...also, both? Knowing what I can do with minimal equipment is important for the moment, but I would be happy to have some fun toys to work with once I have the money! :)