Reddit reviews PROHANDS Gripmaster Hand Exerciser, Finger Exerciser (Hand Grip Strengthener), Spring-Loaded, Finger-Piston System, Isolate and Exercise Each Finger, (5 lb Light Tension, Blue-Gripmaster)

Yes. Trust me. I've torn a Flexor Pulley, and it hurts. A lot. If you force yourself too much too this point, you won't be able to climb for a couple months (well, you're not supposed to). Any pressure on that finger will definitely start to hurt. I ripped mine in my right ring finger while bouldering, and I literally heard it tear. Some experienced climbers around me knew exactly what I did as soon as it happened, and they filled me in on my new sadness. Don't be like me :(.

Here's a good explanation on how the system works in your hands: http://www.orthobullets.com/hand/6004/flexor-pulley-system

Edit: Pick up these too if you're serious about getting into finger strength!

Gripmaster Hand Exerciser

Metolius Training Boards

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Momentum-Harness-Graphite/dp/B00LU59XF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480871087&sr=8-1&keywords=black+diamond+climbing+harness

is this harness pretty good, i just used the price point as a jumping off point, but what do you guys think of this?

Edit: oh was going to buy em this too, now is this actually good or is it some just novelty thing you guys would never even bother with?

https://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480871200&sr=8-2&keywords=gripmaster

Farmers walks and bar holds will help. Deadlifts and chins/pullups will also increase grip strength. Even better for guitar would be to get one of these.

I'm about to move from the light tension one to a medium tension myself and have noticed speed improvements in my playing.

Barre chords are tough for all of us in the beginning. Small hands aren't the problem, if your finger can make it across the fretboard. Finger strength and the ability to bring all the strings to the fret with one finger can be. I'd suggest buying this and keep it in your pocket. Whenever you watch TV or have down time, bring it out and use it. I have small hands and my teacher had me get one. It helped me. He also sent me a video of an armless guy playing pretty amazing guitar with his toes with the comment 'Short fingers LOL'. Accept your limitations, but don't let them get in your way. If you want it bad enough, it's yours.

https://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Medium-Tension-7-Pounds/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491831858&sr=8-3&keywords=finger%2Bstrength&th=1

I'm not saying with 100% certainty that this will work, but I started playing guitar about 15 years ago and when I started my fingers would kill me if I played for like 30 minutes or so. I bought one of these and it drastically improved my dexterity to where I could play as much as I wanted without pain or stiffness. Granted I was 16 at the time and things didn't hurt as much or for that long, but it did help.

Another thought it tape? Maybe open up the finger holes a bit more and tape your fingers. It should work like a compression sleeve and keep your fingers from swelling in the first place.

Or neither of these are good ideas. I don't know. I'm spit-balling here lol

They have things like this and this and dozens of others if you just want to work on finger strength.

Also I can't stress this enough, relax your arm and make sure the grip you are using is the right size for your hand. If its the right size but shaped wrong in a few places you can always use tape or sugru to change the surface geometry.

It was very similar to this. Not sure if I used the same brand or the same amount of pounds per finger, but it was awesome. The main difference between it and just squeezing a ball is that those rubber balls help with strength, but this guy helps with controll, which was the issue I had :) Can't very well go about completing an arpeggio if your fingers are all over the place.

I have one of these, 5lbs is probably a little weak for you though. They seem better than the simple hand clamps.

Also I had a similar epiphany to yours, but I haven't started yet. :P I also noticed my hands getting stronger about a week after starting to use that thing. It really is that easy.

Is that at all similar to this? I've been thinking about getting one of these for that exact reason.

If you want to quickly develop calluses, I would suggest using a Gripmaster Hand Exerciser in combination with Ruff Rider Callus Builder Caps. Increased grip and finger strength is an added bonus.

I don't use the video at work, just the moves I learned from the video. I'm always switching up my routine though to keep my workout breaks short so people don't think I'm slacking.

The room I exercise in is about the size of three washroom stalls, just long enough for pushups!

I'd also recommend getting a grip exerciser for your desk, it gives you something to do when waiting:

http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1375453081&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=grip+trainer

I use the 11kg one and have increased grip strength tremendously while waiting for meetings/calls and etc.

Also, switch to a stand up desk or work on an exercise ball. Finally, you may learn some covert exercise moves from this:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/exercise-at-work/10-office-exercises-you-can-do-secretly.htm

Gripmaster Hand Exerciser Blue, Light Tension (5-Pounds per Finger) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NbjYzbYN45ZJW

My friend gave me some similar advice as some of these guys, saving pinky for shift or ctrl instead of pinky on Q like I had. He swears by these, too- strengthening your hand will make the position feel much less weird.

Here are the exercises that my Occupational Therapist friend gave to my husband with MS for his hands: http://imgur.com/a/ixtcR

Sorry if they are poor quality, I was unsure of the original source.

She also said that in the baseball section of your sporting goods store there should be a contraption like this that would help: http://bit.ly/2erBCbZ

I also found this: Gripmaster Hand Exerciser Blue, Light Tension (5-Pounds per Finger) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QB0PzbC25TWCA

My husband is currently doing 5 days of high dose steroids that hopefully help.

GRIP MASTER Gripmaster 14001-BLU Hand Exerciser Blue, Light Tension (5-Pounds per Finger) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gZi1CbHP83B9Y

These are amazing, i keep one in my jacket pocket to keep discreet

You can also buy one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY/

Are you looking for strength/speed/endurance training, or technique? I don't know if any tool is really useful for practising technique, if you don't have the body of a full guitar as a counterweight and the correct neck position (wrist position has a big impact on strength and technique).

For the former, these hand grip trainers are pretty useful.

Don't just hold it in your fist and flex it in the one position, though. GripMaster suggests a bunch of different exercises, a lot of them are fairly relevant to the guitarist. I suggest lighter tension + more repetitions to build some strength and more endurance needed when playing.

I strongly recommend the light tension. You don't need that much strength for the guitar, rather than endurance and flexibility, and doing finger exercises (not grip exercises) on the thing is surprisingly hard on medium tension (probably an injury risk). Try holding a medium tension one between fingers with the thumb (not palm) supporting it from below—you probably won't manage to hold the entire thing down. Try doing it a finger at a time, same thing...

It's something that goes away with time, but if you want some assistance, get yourself a grip master, I keep one on my desk at work and I just play with it every once in a while, it definitely helps, especially with pinky strength. This is the one I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=twister_B0085MX3SG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You can buy these at most sporting goods places:

https://www.amazon.ca/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY?th=1&psc=1&source=googleshopping&locale=en-CA&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_8tm9av05mk_e

You can also buy these hard rubber balls that you squeeze.

No jokes please...