Customer Reviews

Gripmaster Hand Exerciser Black, Heavy Tension (9-Pounds per Finger)

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

With a weight-training background I already have a number of products focusing upon forearm and grip strength. This by appearance and description seemed to fit a very specific purpose, what could be called finger-tip strength, so I went ahead and gave it a try.

Receiving it, the high-quality construction was immediately noticeable. Beginning with the highest tension [black] gripper, I began use intermittently, whenever web pages loaded in slowly, between television commercials, and so on.

I had no idea why during my twice-a-month hobbyist guitar playing, I was able to play with a marked increase in speed and accuracy. The fingers occasionally seemed to be pulled onto the fretboard like magnets. Thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized this device was the only significant change I had made over that time. Typically I had to warm-up for at least 30 to 45 minutes before my hands correctly played quicker fingering patterns. There was no lag time this time.

For the price and diminutive size of this device, it is surprising how effective it is at its focused purpose. I also noticed that, while my typing has not gotten any faster, I can type somewhat longer without becoming self-aware of fatigue.

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There are several reviews for this gripping device that claim insufficient resistance, even with the highest tension [black] version. This may be due to a misconception of the purpose and usage of this particular device. It is what could be thought of as a finger-grip strengthener, as opposed to those devices which develop palm grip-strength, which are far more common and found at any sporting goods store.

The tell-tale sign of improper use, is through where you position your grip when performing the exercises. If you find yourself grasping at mid-finger level, between the first and second knuckles, and squeezing all of the fingers together at the same time, pumping over and over again, you are using this improperly. You are to place the very tips of the fingers, before the first knuckles, on the finger-rests, and proceed to provide force with individual fingers, alternating with other patterns such as all four-fingers simultaneously as well, but always with this positioning. If you try using this device as a mid-finger, mid-grip strengthener (with the device ending up resting against the palm of the hand), you are using it incorrectly.

For a mid-grip strengthener, Captains Of Crush is very highly recommended. These provide massive amounts of resistance, and are for the more typical mid-grip strengthening exercises. Even the trainer, Captains of Crush Trainer Gripper, will at the beginning be highly difficult for most athletes. The efforts are well worth it, however, these are extremely high-quality devices. There is actually official certification for doing their highest level grip one single time, for one single repetition (the two ends touching). Through these you can perform the more typical palm-strength exercises.

Both the C.O.C. type of palm-level strengthener, and this Gripmaster fingertip-level type of strengthener, are needed for more complete and balanced grip strength. Doing exercises focusing on the forearms directly can also be very important. Any grip exercises strengthen the forearms as well, but only indirectly. It depends on how important overall lower-arm strength is to you. In any case, the Gripmaster is for working the most distal part of the grip, that is the tips of the fingers. Working it any other way, is not using the device for what it was designed for.

I bought both the Medium and Heavy tension Gripmasters. The Medium (red) one is not much of a challenge for me. I'm a man of average build, and I actually bought these because I was starting weight training at the gym and I wanted more grip strength for my hands and stronger forearms.

I'd say if you are looking for individual finger strength, such as for playing an instrument, then the red Gripmaster might be enough resistance. But I use the black one much more for whole hand strength.

The product comes with a guide containing instructions on a variety of exercises. I would also recommend visiting Gripmaster's website, as they have a more complete list of exercises, and recommendations for different sports.

Let me start saying that this is a wonderful product. Small, light, and well constructed (they feel like they will last forever). You can carry them with you, allowing to workout your fingers at the office, at home or wherever you find suitable. I bought the four different color-coded gripmasters: Black/heavy, Red/medium, Blue/light, and Yellow/extra light. I only found the resistance of the red and black ones useful for me, but my wife loves the blue and yellow ones. It was a great buy because of their high quality and affordable price.

The product comes with a foldable instruction booklet where you find details for six different exercises:
- Trigger pinch. This one simulates the movement of squeezing a trigger, and it isolates the index finger for enhanced strength and coordination.
- Gross grasp. This one strengthens fingers, thumb, wrist and forearm for a firm grip.
- Hook position. This one strengthens longer muscles in forearm and wrist while stretching smaller muscles in hand for greater motion and endurance.
- Tip to tip pinch. This exercise strengthens specific fingers, thumb, smaller hand muscles and forearm for greater control and endurance.
- Wrist flexion. It strengthens wrist and forearm muscles.
- Key pinch. Strengthens thumb and index finger for greater stability and coordination.

At the gripmaster website you can find more exercises for different activities and sports.

If you are looking to crush hands when handshaking this is not the product for you, but if you need finger strength, control, endurance and coordination you are in the right place.

First off, i bought this to help with my guitar playing. I bought the black one. its a great product, i just wish i'd have gone with the 5 or the 7. i didnt realize how stiff 9 pounds would be on one finger at a time lol. so i'd recommend buying one of these, just at a lower tension, like 5 or even 7

I have both the medium and heavy duty tension gripmaster. After a regular use, your grip will become noticeably stronger. My guitar play and weight lifting (it is surprising how much a more powerful grip helps with weight lifting) has improved noticeably because of stronger grip and forearms.

There is one drawback which I think the medium tension gripmaster owners should be aware. This heavy duty gripmaster does not have more noticeable tension than the medium tension gripmaster. My subjective tests reveal they have virtually idential tension.

The heavy tension gripmaster, however, is smaller and fits better in a average sized hand.

Overall, I recommend this gripmaster. But not to those who already own the medium tension gripmaster.

My Gripmaster is about 4 or 5 months old and, at first, I liked it a lot. I use it all the time, especially in the car, and I think that this extensive use is the problem. It's starting to fall apart bit by bit. If you're hyper-active you might consider a simple racquet or tennis ball because these things (I bought a medium and heavy gripper) don't seem to stand up very well. The design is excellent but the quality, especially around the springs, leaves a lot to be desired. Sorry, I really wanted these things to last.

I went with the Gripmaster to improve on some wrist and forearm workouts that were simply taking too many repetitions. This product was an improvement, but even at the heavy tension, it still takes longer than I would have hoped to get a good workout. However, it definitely works, and I like how it exercises each individual finger instead of just the center of your hand. The design also allows for some other exercises which are available on the product's website. I found the tricep press to be particularly useful.

Overall, it's a good, solid product, and it's probably the best out there for this type of workout, but it wasn't quite as stellar as I thought it would be.

I have both the Medium and Heavy and use them regularly to improve grip strength for climbing. I find it very easy to use these while driving or listening to conference calls. If you want just raw grip strength, these may not be the best tools to use. However, they are great for climbing because they allow you to easily concentrate on just a few fingers at a time. My normal routine is a rotation focusing on individual fingers and then groups of fingers holding the unit fully compressed for specific time periods. I use this in conjunction with the Metolius Balls with the rubber bands to work the opposite muscles. My climbing has improved several grades since I started using these.

I actually purchased this Gripmaster a year or so ago because I wanted to develop better hand strength as part of an overall arm building workout. It really is a simple well made product that offers everything that it advertises.
I tend to do 2 sets of 100 slow hand pumps every other day along with my normal dumbbell routine and my hand and forearm strength has really become incredible over the past year from it. It also really reduces trigger finger fatigue if you like to shoot at the range for any length of time. The only down side to using a Gripmaster is that I tend to piss off family members after I close a jar or a two liter soda bottle. Occasionally I over-tighten things on purpose for fun, but usually it is an accidental thing and it really upsets people :)
I went right for the 9 lb Gripmaster to begin with, but even as a naturally big guy I found it difficult to completely close for any long sets\duration of workout when I first started with it...especially the pinky finger. It makes some good sense to consider the yellow one if your a guy just starting out with the hand\forearm workout thing. Moving up to this 9 lb model after one month or so of something easier would probably make the most sense if I had it to do over.

I ordered this about a month ago to strengthen my fingers for guitar playing and have used it constantly every day to every other day. Since then, I've seen a very noticable change.

I decided to get the heavy tension model as I haven't used these before but figured that I wouldn't have to keep upgrading if I needed to. I did wonder at first though, if it was too heavy. It was tough alright and I felt pretty sore after the first day. I used it for at least a couple hours and therefore don't recommend doing so because of this. I suggest slowly working up at shorter time periods. You can really feel it working your fingers, hands and forearms though which only confirms that it does what it sets out to do. I really wanted this for my ring and pinky fingers on my fret hand for guitar playing and am very satisfied with the results thus far. I'm getting faster, more accurate and my fingers are more responsive overall. I also notice increased hand strength and definition in my forarms which is a nice plus.

The GRIPMASTER is very well constructed. It's tough, rugged and very solid overall. The rubber grip pad is comfortable and has a nice contour to fit snugly between your thumb and index finger on either hand. The plastic finger tabs are indented and textured for grip and ease if use. Overall, a very well built product.

The GRIPMASTER has got to be about the easiest exercise you'll ever do. It's easy to pick up and use when watching t.v. or when on the computer. It's also small and compact enough to take anywhere you may want to use it. There is an excercise chart included which is helpful or you can feel free to make your own up as you go. It's a really good excercise with very minimal effort.

There are many purposes for wanting a device like this. I wanted it for my fingers for playing and am very satisfied so far with the results. It's getting easier to use and it's done everything I could've wanted it to and more. Whether your looking to for a good finger, hand or forearm workout, the GRIPMASTER is a great device that is sure to provide you with the results your looking for. Recommended.