The Best Grip Strengtheners for Every Athlete

Looking to develop an iron grip, but not sure which tool is right for the job? Here, we review the top grip strengtheners on the market.

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There’s no question that having a strong grip transfers to various areas of athletics. Whether you’re a baseball player, tennis pro, rock climber or powerlifter, having a powerful grip can have a meaningful impact on your performance. While it's quite common for athletes to train for strength, not many focus on training the smaller muscles of the hands and forearms which are essential for developing a strong grip. You’ve likely seen grip strengtheners in passing, though you may be unsure exactly how to use one or which one is right for your sport.

With many available options, it can be difficult to choose which grip strengthener is best for you. We did the heavy lifting to provide you with a comprehensive review of the best grip strengtheners for every athlete, including their key features and pros and cons. We’ll explain how we chose them, the various types, why they're beneficial, some important considerations when buying one and even how to use them. So if you're on the market for a grip strengthener to build a hulk-like grip, read along for our top picks.

Our Picks for the Best Grip Strengtheners:

• Best Overall Grip Strengthener: Rogue Fitness Captains of Crush Grippers
• Best Grip Strengthener for Climbing: Rogue Fitness The Extensor
• Best Adjustable Grip Strengthener: Everlast Adjustable Hand Grip
• Best Ergonomic Grip Strengthener: Gripmaster Pro Hand Strengthener
• Best Grip Strengthener for Building Forearm Strength: Rogue Fitness Twist Yo’ Wrist
• Best Grip Strengthener for Stress Relief: So iLL Strength Trainers
• Best Spring-Loaded Grip Strengthener: Varigrip Sport Pro
• Best Grip Strengthener for Fingers: Rogue Two-Finger Utility Gripper

Best Overall Grip Strengthener: Rogue Fitness Captains of Crush Grippers

Rogue

Key Features:

• Price: $25.95
• Handle type/material: Aluminum knurled handle
• Resistance range: 60–365 pounds
• Adjustable: No

Similar to training other muscle groups, training your grip requires consistent effort and the right tools. When reviewing the top grip strengtheners, we searched for a product that was available in several resistance levels, was highly reviewed by users and struck a sweet spot between price and quality.

Our pick for the best overall grip strengthener, Rogue Fitness Captains of Crush Grippers (CoC), checks all the boxes for what athletes look for when wanting to improve grip strength. Widely known as the gold standard for strengthening your grip, these spring style grippers are made of high-grade knurled aluminum handles with steel springs. They come in a number of resistances, ranging from 60 to 365 pounds. CoC grippers can be purchased in sets, with four to choose from, or individually depending on your preference.

Manufactured by IronMind, a company that specializes in grip training equipment, CoC grippers are designed to maximize grip strength in minimum time. Whether you’re a high-level athlete or just looking to develop a stronger handshake, using a gripper such as the CoC as a part of your training regimen is a sure-fire way to boost your grip strength.

Pros:

• Available in various resistance ranges
• Gold standard in grip training
• Knurled handles for solid grip
• Made of durable aluminum and steel

Cons:

• Not adjustable
• Cost can add up when buying multiple
• Knurling may be rough on hands

Best Grip Strengthener for Climbing: ClinicallyFit The Xtensor

Rogue

Key Features:

• Price: $29.95
• Handle type/material: Latex bands, resin/plastic grid, nylon strap
• Resistance range: Not specified
• Adjustable: Yes

If you’ve ever tried rock climbing, even in an indoor arena, you know just how dependent your success is on grip strength. At many points when climbing, your hand grip strength is the only thing stopping you from falling. If you’re a climber, whether novice or advanced, there’s a good chance you’ve done some form of grip training to improve your performance on the wall. While it’s best to train your grip using a variety of methods, a grip strengthener can give you the most bang for your buck.

The Xtensor, made by ClinicallyFit, is a unique reverse-grip hand exerciser designed to train the small muscles and tendons of the hands to improve power and stability in the wrists and elbows. While the majority of grip trainers target the muscles of the palm and forearm through a squeezing motion, this device provides resistance in the opposite motion when extending your fingers outwards. This is accomplished using a series of loops that you put your fingers through that are connected to bands located in the palm of your hand, creating resistance when your fingers are extended.

For climbers looking to leave no stone unturned when it comes to improving grip strength, The Xtensor offers a unique approach to grip training that's sure to transfer to performance on the wall or vertical climber.

Pros:

• Can improve wrist power and stability for climbers
• Strengthens muscles that are typically difficult to target
• May relieve the palm tightness often experienced by climbers
• One strengthener can be used for both hands

Cons:

• May be cumbersome to set up and use
• Available in only one size

Best Adjustable Grip Strengthener: Everlast Adjustable Hand Grip

Everlast

Key Features:

• Price: $19.99
• Handle type/material: SIlicone-covered plastic
• Resistance range: 20–90 pounds
• Adjustable: Yes

When it comes to grip training, you’d be surprised how quickly you can progress, especially if you're a total novice. Most people can make significant grip strength gains after just a few weeks of dedicated training.

The Everlast Adjustable Hand Grip allows for adjustable resistance, meaning you get a range of resistance levels with one gripper. Having a range of resistance enables you to slowly increase the resistance as you get stronger, preventing you from having to buy multiple resistance grippers. And of course, one adjustable grip strengthener takes up less space than having to lug around several of them. This allows you to keep it in your gym bag and train your grip at your convenience.

Made by Everlast, a tried and true fitness equipment brand, this gripper allows you to select between 20 and 90 pounds of resistance with the turn of a knob. The handles are made of high-grade plastic with a silicone coating to prevent slippage. As an added bonus, this product comes at an affordable price point, and is covered by a 120-day limited warranty should you have any issues. 

Pros:

• Can be adjusted between a wide resistance range
• 120-day manufacturer warranty
• Affordable price point
• Compact design

Cons:

• Handles are made of plastic
• May not provide enough resistance for stronger users

Best Ergonomic Grip Strengthener: Gripmaster Pro Hand Strengthener

Gripmaster

Key Features:

• Price: $22.95
• Handle type/material: Plastic/rubber
• Resistance range: 11 pounds of resistance per spring
• Adjustable: No

If you do a quick search of the common grip strengtheners on the market, you’ll see that not all of them are designed for ease of use. Many put the hands or fingers in an unnatural position that can make them difficult to efficiently use. This can lead to sore spots or blisters over time. To resolve this issue, a number of brands make more ergonomic grip trainers that are designed to fit well in the palm of your hand.

Among the ergonomic-focused grip trainers, we found Gripmaster’s Pro Hand Strengthener to be a cut above the rest. This unique style of gripper is intended to be placed in the palm of your hand with your fingers (excluding the thumb) placed on the individual spring loaded buttons. This allows you to train all of your fingers simultaneously or individually, since they each have a separate button and spring.

The palm bar is tapered and covered with a grippy material that allows it to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Each spring provides 11 pounds of resistance, which is more than enough to challenge most people’s grip. That said, if you're a total beginner to grip training, Gripmaster also offers lighter-tension options.

This ergonomic-style gripper is a great choice for climbers, musicians, tennis players or anyone looking to improve their grip strength with comfort in mind.

Pros:

• Fits well in the palm of your hand to avoid blisters
• Fingers can be trained together or individually
• Reasonable price point
• Compact design allows for easy storage

Cons:

• Not adjustable
• Does not train the thumb very well

Best Grip Strengthener for Building Forearm Strength: IronMind Twist Yo’ Wrist

Rogue

Key Features:

• Price: $46.95
• Handle type/material: Plastic
• Resistance range: Unlimited
• Adjustable: Yes

While many grip strengtheners focus on developing hand strength, the muscles of the forearms also serve a major role in your overall grip strength. In fact, many of the muscles and tendons that open and close the palms originate in the forearms. If you make a tight fist, you can feel the muscles of the forearm strongly contracting. To that end, there are a number of grip trainers that focus on targeting these important muscles of the forearms.

With traditional forearm rollers, you secure a weight to a rope that’s attached to a rod, and then reel the rope in and out by twisting your wrists. Our top pick for the best grip strengthener for building forearm strength puts a unique spin on this classic forearm exercise to make the movement slightly more challenging.

The Twist Yo’ Wrist made by IronMinds uses a four-inch grooved roller that is designed to be gripped with the hands facing each other instead of with an overhand grip. This allows you to specifically target the muscles of the wrist, hands and forearms to develop strength from the elbow to the fingertips. The included four-foot, climbing-grade cord is wound up, then unwound with control to hit the forearm muscles from different angles. Considering that the resistance is provided by weight plates or a loading pin, it’s up to you how much weight you want to lift, making the resistance highly adjustable.

For athletes that rely on forearm strength, such as wrestlers, rock climbers or water skiers, the Twist Yo’ Wrist grip strengthener may certainly be worth adding to your training regimen.

Pros:

• Develops grip strength from fingers to elbows
• Targets forearm muscles from various angles
• Highly adjustable
• Made of high density plastic to prevent cracking

Cons:

• On the expensive side
• Requires the use of weight plates or a loading pin

Best Grip Strengthener for Stress Relief: So iLL Strength Trainers

So iLL

Key Features:

• Price: $22
• Handle type/material: Rubber
• Resistance range: Not Specified
• Adjustable: No

Regardless of your profession or phase of life, stressful situations pop up from time to time. Whether it’s a tight deadline for a work project or fender bender while driving, stress is a normal part of life. While meditation, yoga and getting enough sleep can certainly help ease stress, some people benefit from a more physical method of stress relief.

You've likely encountered (and even used) squishy stress relief balls, and while data is limited on the actual benefits these provide, there’s definitely something about crushing down on an object that helps get out aggression and relieve stress.

At the top of our list for the best grip strengthener for stress relief is So iLL Strength Trainers. These are a unique ring-shaped grip trainer that's designed to be squeezed in the palm of your hand. This lends them quite well to relieving stress, providing a superior alternative to traditional stress relief balls. Not only can they help ease stress, they can exponentially improve your grip strength when used regularly. These rubber-like rings come in a set of three, ranging in crush resistance from easy to hard. Whether you’re an athlete or busy professional, these grip trainers provide a great stress outlet with the added benefit of improving your grip strength at the same time.

Pros:

• Stylish alternative to traditional stress relief balls
• Come in a set of three resistance levels
• Light and portable
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• May be too large for people with smaller hands
• Only train a limited range of motion

Best Spring-Loaded Grip Strengthener: VARIGRIP Sport PRO

VARIGRIP Sport

Key Features:

• Price: $14.95
• Handle type/material: ABS/santoprene/acetal
• Resistance range: Nine to 12 pounds per finger
• Adjustable: Yes

Most grip strengtheners on the market utilize springs for resistance since springs provide accommodating resistance; in other words, the harder you squeeze, the more resistance is provided by the springs. This resistance curve is helpful for training your grip with the goal of improving the strength of your hands and forearms.

Taking the top spot for the best spring-loaded grip strengthener is the VARIGRIP Sport PRO hand strengthener. This compact grip trainer is ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of the hand, and provides spring-loaded individual buttons that act as finger trainers, working each finger individually. Each spring is adjustable from nine to 12 pounds, allowing users to cater the resistance to their level of grip strength. The palm bar is extra wide and coated with a soft material to prevent the development of blisters.

Although this gripper was designed with climbers in mind, it’s a useful tool for athletes of all sports looking to improve their grip strength. Coming in at less than $20, this device provides an excellent value and checks all the boxes for a spring-loaded gripper.

Pros:

• Trains each finger individually
• Adjustable from nine to 12 pounds per finger
• Budget friendly
• Highly rated by users

Cons:

• Does not train thumbs
• Shipping is extra unless you spend $50

Best Grip Strengthener for Fingers: IronMind Two-Finger Utility Gripper

Rogue

Key Features:

• Price: $29.95
• Handle type/material: Aluminum with steel spring
• Resistance range: Not specified
• Adjustable: No

Generally speaking, most grip strengtheners are designed to train the hand as a whole to engage as much muscle as possible. However, there are specific situations where users may prefer to train their fingers individually. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper is a mini gripper designed with high-quality knurled aluminum handles and a steel spring. The relatively compact size allows you to train one or two fingers at a time to maximize your pinching grip strength. While many grip trainers exclude the thumb, this gripper allows you to directly train it. The IronMind website lists several potential combinations that can be used to target the thumb, ring/pinkie fingers and index/middle fingers.

It’s available in seven resistance strengths that allow you to gradually progress over time as your grip strength improves. For athletes and professionals who prefer a gripper with individual finger training, including the thumb, this Two Finger Utility Gripper from IronMind is a solid choice.

Pros:

• Allows you to isolate finger training, including the thumb
• Seven resistance levels to choose from
• Knurled handles to prevent slipping
• Very compact and portable

Cons:

• Not adjustable
• Expensive for its size

Types of Grip Strengtheners

When shopping for a grip strengthener, you’ll find that there are several different types to choose from, each with a specific training purpose. That’s because there are actually three types of grip strength: crush grip, support grip and pinch grip. Crush grip is the ability to squeeze something between your fingers and palm, support grip refers to your ability to hold or hang from an object for extended periods and pinch grip is the strength between the tips of your four fingers and thumb. Each type of grip strengthener focuses on improving each of these to a varying degree.

Coil type grip strengthener

The coil type grip strengthener is one of the most popular types due to its wide range of resistance levels and affordable cost. These are typically made up of two handles connected by a thick spring or coil that provides resistance. The Captains of Crush Grippers are a good example of this category. These are best for developing crushing grip strength.

Articulated grip strengthener

Articulated grip strengtheners are unique devices that consists of several buttons attached to a central body, each isolated by an individual spring. These are meant to be held in the palm and generally train only your four fingers, excluding the thumb. These are popular with rock climbers, who can use them to train each finger individually and develop an effective support grip. The Gripmaster Pro is a good example of an articulated gripper.

Two finger grip strengthener

The two finger grips strengtheners are pretty much a mini version of the coil type grip trainers. They are meant to be held between the forefinger/middle finger and thumb or the ring finger/pinky finger and thumb. These are an excellent choice for developing a strong pinching grip, as most of the other types exclude the thumb. The IronMind Two Finger Utility Gripper is a good example of this type of strengthener.

Reverse grip strengthener

Instead of training a squeezing or “hand closing” grip, reverse grip strengtheners train the muscles involved in opening the palm. This is a highly specialized type of grip strengthener likely best reserved for athletes who rely on quick and coordinated hand movements, such as climbers or handball players. The ClinicallyFit Extensor best represents this category.

How to Use a Grip Strengthener

While the exact mechanics of a grip strengthener vary depending on the type you’re using, we’ll review how to use the most common type to help get you started.

When setting out to train their grip many people start with a coil type trainer, as they are easy to use and readily available. It’s best to have several resistances available to train different rep ranges. Here's a quick step-by-step guide to grip training with a coil trainer:

1. Determine the right resistance for your strength level.
2. Place the device in the palm of your hand with the bottom handle at 45 degrees with the spring coil on the side with your thumb. The bottom handle should extend slightly past the base of your thumb.
3. Place your fingers as low on the top handle as possible—this allows for the most leverage. Keeping your fingers tightly together, squeeze as hard as possible until the handles touch together. It’s OK if the handles don’t touch on your first session, though this should be the goal.
4. Repeat for the desired sets and reps just as you would any other strength training exercise. Alternatively, you can perform reps until your grip starts to weaken, at which point you’ll take a one- to two-minute rest before completing the next set.

Sets and reps

Similar to other strength training exercises, there are several set and rep schemes you can implement, depending on your goals. When it comes to sets, most people start with three and work their way up to six or more per training session. A combination of different rep and set methods is best to build a well-rounded grip. Here are some of the most common grip training methods:

• High rep: This method is great for building grip endurance, or the ability to hold onto things for an extended time. Complete 15–20 reps per set to train in the high rep range.
• Low rep: Lower reps are best for developing maximal crushing strength. Stick with six reps or fewer to train in this rep range.
• Isometric reps: Also known as holds, isometric reps are where you close the grip trainer and hold it for a given period of time. Aim for a 20- to 30-second hold for the best results.

How to Choose the Best Grip Strengthener For You

When shopping for a grip strengthener, there are several factors to consider to ensure you end up with the best one for your goals. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

Type

There are a number of different types of grip trainers available. Think about which style is best suited for your sport or recovery. If you’re a powerlifter, you may want to stick with the coil type for maximal holding strength to help grasp a barbell, whereas if you're a climber, an articulated spring-loaded type may be best for developing individual finger strength. In some situations, you may want to purchase more than one type.

Budget

Like any strength training equipment, grip trainers vary greatly in price depending on the quality and features of the product. Consider how much you’d like to spend on a grip strengthener to help you find the right option. A good rule of thumb is to purchase the highest quality grip trainer you can afford, as some of the less expensive ones, like some that are found on Amazon, tend to break over time.

Adjustability

Another key factor in selecting the right grip trainer is adjustability, or the ability to change the level of resistance. As you get stronger or want to train in a different rep range, you may want to be able to change the resistance. Not all options are adjustable, so consider if this is a feature you value before purchasing.

Portability

Although most grip trainers are compact enough to fit in your gym bag, think about just how portable you’d like yours to be. Some of the smaller ones can easily fit in your pocket, whereas some of the bigger options may be cumbersome to transport, especially if you’re carrying several of them. Adjustable grip trainers eliminate the need to carry several of them around, allowing for more portability.

How We Chose the Best Hand Grip Strengtheners

When reviewing the top options on the market, we considered a number of factors to bring you the best grip strengtheners for all athletes. These factors include user ratings, resistance range and design type. We made sure to include different types of grip strengtheners with different resistance levels. We also included a variety of price points to help you find one that fits your budget. Finally, we included only grip trainers with high reviews from customers. While no product can satisfy everyone, we paid close attention to the ratio of positive to negative comments about the grip trainers on our list.

The Benefits of Grip Strengtheners

When you think of grip strength, you may think of a masculine man with a strong handshake or a rock climber hanging off a big wall. But there’s more to grip strength than athletic prowess. For decades, grip strength has been used as a proxy for a number of health markers throughout the aging process. While grip strength certainly plays a role in athletic performance, it affects other areas of our lives, as well. Here are the top benefits of using a grip strengthener to develop a strong grip, some which you may have never heard of:

Improved athletic performance

There are quite a few sports that rely on having a strong grip. Tennis, golf, baseball, martial arts, strength sports, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, hockey, wrestling and lacrosse all require athletes to have a powerful grip in order to perform at the highest level.

While training in your given sport will likely give you the biggest improvements in performance, developing your grip can also have quite a bit of carryover to being a better athlete. In fact, research shows that athletes with a stronger grip typically perform at a higher level than those with a weaker grip. Improving your grip strength is a simple way to boost overall performance and can easily be incorporated into your training regimen.

Reduced injury risk

Generally speaking, many common injuries are caused by having weak muscles, bones and connective tissue. As an athlete, you are at an increased risk of injury when participating in your given sport, especially if it’s a contact sport.

A properly executed strength and conditioning program can go a long way toward preventing injury, as it strengthens the muscles and bones involved in your sport to make them more resilient.

Grip training can do the same thing for the muscles of your hands, wrists and forearms. When using a grip strengthener, your hand muscles and connective tissues gradually get stronger over time, reducing your risk of hand or wrist injuries.

If you participate in a sport with increased hand and wrist injury risk, such as basketball, football, hockey or rock climbing, boosting your grip strength is a great way to help avoid getting injured.

Improved daily functions

Many of the activities of daily living (ADLs) you perform on a regular basis require you to have good grip strength. This includes activities like carrying a laundry basket, bringing groceries in from the car, picking up your kids or even vacuuming. 

While most younger people may not think twice about these activities, as we age we have a tendency to lose grip strength if we don’t perform activities that directly train it. In fact, grip strength serves as a biomarker for a number of potential age-related ailments, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, reduced bone mineral density, cognitive impairment, fractures and depression. While strengthening your grip can't, for example, treat malnutrition, a weak grip may be indicative of other age-related health issues.

Stress relief

Plainly put, there’s something cathartic about crushing down on an object with all your might. We consider it to be a healthy way to get out stress and aggression. Grip strengtheners can serve this purpose, allowing you to get out stress and aggression while simultaneously developing your grip strength. That said, there still needs to be more studies completed in this area to determine if there's an actual reduction in stress while using grip tools, or if it’s more of a placebo effect.

Grip Strengthener FAQs:

Do grip strengtheners really work?

Yes, and here’s why. Just as you would use weights or machines for resistance to strengthen large muscles of the body, such as the glutes and lats, grip strengtheners provide resistance to strengthen the smaller muscles of the hands. Research has found that, over time, increases in grip strength can carry over to sport performance.

How many days per week can you train your grip?

Considering that the smaller muscles of the hands and forearms tend to recover more quickly than larger muscles of the torso and legs, grip can be trained several days per week. Most beginners start out grip training two to three days per week and gradually work up to four to five times per week. Others passively train their grip on a daily basis while doing other activities, such as watching TV.

Are there any side effects to using a grip strengthener?

Although there are not really any acute side effects from using a grip strengthener, some users may develop occasional blisters from overuse. When just starting out, beginners may experience slight soreness as the muscles of the hands and forearms develop. It's best to start off light and slowly ease your way to heavier resistance to prevent undesired soreness.

Final Thoughts

As an athlete, having a strong grip is an undeniable asset for performance and overall health, regardless of your sport. Even so, grip training is often overlooked when putting together a strength and conditioning program for athletes.

A strong grip is associated with a number of potential benefits, some of which go beyond just improvements in sport performance. Grip training is not something that has to disrupt your training. In fact, just a few minutes three to five days per week is all you need to reap the benefits.

If you’re interested in improving your hand and forearm strength, check out some of the best grip strengtheners we’ve reviewed, and you’ll be well on your way to developing an iron grip.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.