Grip Strength Benefits for Seniors

Strength training in general has several benefits for seniors not only to help maintain and improve bone density, but also to maintain muscle mass. Performing strength training exercises every day can help with activities of daily living.

Having a strong grip makes it easier to perform normal daily tasks like holding a coffee cup, carrying grocery bags, brushing your teeth, and getting up out of a chair, etc.

Strengthening your grip can help to improve hand health and reduce the risk of developing conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and other hand and wrist injuries!

Squeezing a tennis ball help with a better grip and hand strength, and also manage stress and improve the quality of your life.

The act of squeezing the tennis or rubber ball activates the muscles of your hand and wrist; then releasing your grip allows the muscles to relax. The repeated act of gripping and releasing the ball helps to alleviate tension and stress.

One way to improve your grip strength is to take a tennis ball or small rubber ball and squeeze in your hand hold for a few seconds and release. Practice this a few times a week.

In the video below, Allison demonstrates an exercise that you can perform to improve your grip strength.