Combat Conditioning Equipment: Hand & Wrist Strength

Exergrip Putty: Hand Strength Conditioning

I purchased this form of Grip Putty called “Exergrip” from Fred Meyer for $6.99. It has been beneficial in developing continued hand strength and endurance. Today there are many similar putty-type hand strengtheners available at sporting good departments. Putty such as this can be squeezed, stretched, and pulled in order to do several different strengthening exercises for the muscles in your fingers and hands. Not only is it a highly effective hand strengthener, it’s fun to use as it relieves stress and tension.

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Other hand exercisers like springs and balls work only the muscles that close the hand. Grip putty strengthens all the muscles in the fingers and hands to develop powerful, quick hands. When it comes to training knife defense, a strong grip is exactly what you want. Strong hands will improve your weapon retention and disarming skills. Therefore, consider this a crucial training aid in your ongoing efforts to ensure your own personal protection.

Grip Putty is also recommended by hand surgeons, therapists, and professional sports trainers for the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.

1. The Finger Extension

Place putty in palm. Use other hand to stretch putty outward.

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2. The Finger Press

Place putty ball between finger tips and thumb. Pinch putty.

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3. The Finger Curl

Place putty in palm. Curl fingers in to palm and squeeze putty.

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4. The Finger Scissor

Pinch putty in between two adjoining fingers.

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Note: Similar hand strengthening for combatives can be achieved by squeezing a tennis ball. Begin with 50-100 repetitions each hand.

Dyna-Flex: Perfect for warming up your wrist and forearm before Escrima practice!

Have you seen these at your local sporting goods store? If you’ve passed the Dyna-Flex up in the past, stop next time and ask to give it a try. Feeling is believing, and once you get a feel for the burn this little piece of exercise equipment can put on the muscles in your forearm you’ll appreciate its effectiveness.

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The unique Dyna-flex mechanism spins internally and has no motor. Once you get the gyroscopic action going, your grip workout will have it whirling at 9,000 revolutions per minute. Your wrists, grip, and arm will be taxed as you work against its motion and challenge yourself to keep hold. This item assists in building strength while improving coordination. The resistance can be controlled by the user increasing or decreasing the speed of the gyroscopic action.

Visit the Dyna-flex on Amazon for lots more information.

Testimonial

Being a competitive woman bodybuilder, I spend a great deal of time in the gym working on various types of equipment. However, this class has been by far the best workout I have had for quite some time. In the past I have done a lot of cardio training in the gym on the standard equipment…boring!! This class has given me a fun way to work on my cardio training, kept me challenged, increased my flexibility and range of motion, given me a way to release stress and most important to me, a way to work off those extra pounds prior to a competition. Additionally, I have found the class to be very informal and comfortable to attend with many great people there to share information. Not to mention, Rob is a fantastic teacher who, unlike many, enjoys teaching as much as the students enjoy learning.

~ Jennifer Valadez, Olympic Health Management

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