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

[emperor]

I don't do much other than climbing for my arms (occasional mucking around on a trapeze not counting); I do have a couple of toys, though:

Metolius grip saver, which feels very much like it works the fingers, though the destructions think it does the lower arm too.

A powerball, which is quite good fun, and feels like more of an overall arm workout.

[rydra_wong]

Yes, I was going to suggest a powerball if niqaeli's on for fun toys. *g*

I need to get more consistent about using mine; I suspect it's really good for rehab/prehab too.

[mongrelheart]

Those toys look really cool. Are they meant to be more for workouts & strengthening the hands, or are they more for rehab & self-maintenance purposes?

[emperor]

I think they're meant to be useful for both, but I'm honestly not really sure.

[rydra_wong]

From what I've seen, the Gripsaver seems to get recommended mainly for rehab/prehab (at least for climbers, since the rubber bands work the opposing muscles to the ones used in climbing), and the powerball for strengthening too.

For antagonist work, there's also stuff like the Expand Your Hand Bands, or the traditional rice bucket.

[mongrelheart]

Those bands look very useful. And I'd never heard of the rice bucket before, but I just read this and wow I think I'm going to be hauling home a 20-lb bag of rice soon...

[rydra_wong]

I made a rice bucket while I was out of action for several months at the start of the year (injured foot), and it's a great tool. I found it particularly good as a hand warm-up before I did anything super-intense like fingerboarding.

niaqaeli, this might be good for conditioning and for balancing out the muscular stresses of massage work.

Other minimal equipment stuff: do you have any small hand weights, or food cans? They're ideal for wrist curls and reverse wrist curls.