Have you ever struggled with sore hands during your workouts? Whether you’re a weightlifter, grappler, or any other type of athlete, having strong hands can make a huge difference in your overall performance.
But how can you strengthen your hands and prevent injury without spending hours at the gym? The answer is simple: try this 8-minute workout for tougher hands, and find out if you can handle it!.
Warm-Up: Wrist Rotations
Before you start the workout, it’s important to warm up your wrists to prevent injury. Here’s how to do the wrist rotations:.
- Hold your arms out in front of you, elbows bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Make a fist with each hand, and rotate your wrists in a circular motion. Start with small circles, and gradually increase the size of the circles.
- Reverse the direction of the circles.
- Do 10 rotations in each direction.
Exercise 1: Grip Squeezes
This exercise will work your forearm muscles and improve your grip strength. Here’s how to do grip squeezes:.
- Grab a hand gripper or a tennis ball in each hand.
- Squeeze the grippers or balls as hard as you can for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 2: Plate Pinches
This exercise will work your thumb muscles and improve your pinch strength. Here’s how to do plate pinches:.
- Grab two weight plates of the same size.
- Hold the plates vertically between your thumb and fingers, with the smooth side facing out.
- Squeeze the plates together as hard as you can for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 3: Farmer’s Walk
This exercise will work your grip and forearms, as well as your core and legs. Here’s how to do the farmer’s walk:.
- Grab a heavy set of dumbbells or kettlebells in each hand.
- Keep your back straight and your core tight.
- Walk forward for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 4: Wrist Curls
This exercise will work your wrist flexors and improve your grip strength. Here’s how to do wrist curls:.
- Grab a dumbbell or barbell with an underhand grip.
- Sit on a bench with your forearms resting on your thighs and your wrists hanging off the edge.
- Curl your wrists up towards your body, keeping your forearms stationary.
- Lower your wrists back down, and repeat for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 5: Reverse Wrist Curls
This exercise will work your wrist extensors and improve your grip strength. Here’s how to do reverse wrist curls:.
- Grab a dumbbell or barbell with an overhand grip.
- Sit on a bench with your forearms resting on your thighs and your wrists hanging off the edge.
- Curl your wrists down towards the floor, keeping your forearms stationary.
- Lower your wrists back up, and repeat for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 6: Hand Release Push-Ups
This exercise will work your chest, shoulders, triceps, and improve your grip strength. Here’s how to do hand release push-ups:.
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders.
- Lower your body to the ground.
- Lift your hands off the ground, and then press your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 7: Fingertip Push-Ups
This exercise will work your chest, shoulders, triceps, and improve your finger strength. Here’s how to do fingertip push-ups:.
- Start in a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders.
- Lower your body to the ground, and keep your fingertips on the floor.
- Press your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for 30 seconds.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 sets.
Exercise 8: Grip Holds
This exercise will work your grip strength and endurance. Here’s how to do grip holds:.
- Grab a heavy set of dumbbells or kettlebells in each hand.
- Hold the weights at your sides for as long as you can.
- Rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 3 holds.
Cool-Down: Wrist Stretches
After your workout, it’s important to cool down and stretch your wrists to prevent tightness and injury. Here’s how to do the wrist stretches:.
- Hold your arms out in front of you, elbows straight.
- Bend your left hand back towards your forearm with your right hand, and hold for 30 seconds.
- Switch hands and repeat.
- Bend your left hand forward towards your palm with your right hand, and hold for 30 seconds.
- Switch hands and repeat.
Conclusion
If you want to improve your grip and prevent hand injuries during your workouts, this 8-minute workout for tougher hands is worth a try.
These exercises target different muscles in your hands and forearms, and can be done with minimal equipment in the comfort of your own home. Give it a shot, and see if you can handle the challenge!.