Most people don’t pay much attention to the upside of a strong grip, what with all the concentration on developing the big stuff: durable legs, flat midsections and limber, pain-free backs.
But a strong grip — we’re talking about the muscles involved in the forearms, wrists and hands — can pay big dividends. Athletes need it in everything from golf to baseball to racquet sports. It’s critical for rock climbers and kayakers, and useful for gardening and yardwork.
It can even mean a better quality of life for the aging. (Who wants to call the kids every time you need to open a jar?)
We’re not talking about turning your forearms into something that would make Popeye blush. Attaining baseline functionality is the first goal.
Developing a decent grip can be accomplished with a handful of simple exercises.
“Basically, maintenance is what it comes down to,” says John Morgan, fitness coordinator and trainer at the Downtown YMCA and a competitive bodybuilder. “The day you stop using something is the day you start losing it. That’s my philosophy on pretty much everything.”
The human forearm, which is the foundation of a strong grip, has about 20 muscles. The main one is the brachioradialis, which sits atop the forearm. It forms the noticeable hump where it inserts into the bend of the elbow and is fundamental to a gripping strength.
We asked Morgan for a half-dozen basic exercises that anyone could use to develop a better grip. Do these about two times per week, and you should be hand-crushing apples into applesauce in no time.
William Porter: 303-954-1877 or wporter@denverpost.com
