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What are the Different Finger Exercises?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Many different finger exercises can be used to promote strength and flexibility in the fingers. These exercises may be integrated into different activities, like playing a guitar, or they may be performed independently in order to specifically target the fingers. Most people who practice an activity regularly that requires finger strength find that the fingers grow strong enough for the activity naturally, but sometimes hand and finger exercise equipment can be used to promote strength outside of normal activities. Finger exercises should be practiced with caution because the movements of the fingers are relatively complex, and fingers can be injured easily.

Some finger exercises relate directly to sports or other activities. There are, for example, many finger exercises for piano and guitar that improve finger strength, flexibility, and coordination by playing scales and specific notes in combination. These exercises are often monitored in order to ensure that the correct muscles and parts of the hand are being used. In sports like rock climbing, finger exercises might involve climbing in a specific way to target the fingers.

Finger exercises can be integrated into playing guitar.
Finger exercises can be integrated into playing guitar.

It is also possible to use specialized equipment to strengthen the fingers and improve dexterity. Stress balls can be squeezed with the entire hand or using several fingers to improve strength. There are also specialized devices with changeable resistance designed to build up even more strength using a single device. Rubber bands can be used to apply tension to the fingers in the opposite direction.

In sports like rock climbing, finger exercises might involve climbing in a specific way to target the fingers.
In sports like rock climbing, finger exercises might involve climbing in a specific way to target the fingers.

For coordination as well as strength, a person might try using bao ding balls or even simply taking up activities that use the fingers and require small, specific movements. Rolling a coin between the fingers, for example, can be a very effective finger exercise. Using the hands in ways that a person usually does not will generally improve both strength and coordination. When soreness arises, a person must be sure to cease the finger exercises that caused the soreness, as finger injuries can be severe and permanent.

Stress balls can be squeezed with the entire hand or using several fingers to improve strength.
Stress balls can be squeezed with the entire hand or using several fingers to improve strength.

Many activities that require finger strength also promote finger strength through practice. For example, a person who regularly practices playing guitar is building finger strength while practicing even when he or she is not targeting the fingers. Likewise, a person who regularly does rock climbing is building finger strength as he or she progresses to harder courses. By allowing strength to build naturally, a person ensures that the relevant muscles and the appropriate types of strength are being built up. When this does not suffice, artificial replacements for situated activities can work as well.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

One of the problems I have had in the past is carpal tunnel syndrome. Many people have this problem since more and more of us are using computers regularly and for long stretches at a time. My doctor told me to find some simple exercises that I can do throughout the day. It's amazing how some of the simplest finger exercises and wrist exercises can do so much to prevent the condition.

Drentel

I'm not recommending that you become a mechanic so that you can get stronger hands and fingers, but the job does give you a chance to complete a lot of hand exercises and get stronger hands. A guy I knew who was a car mechanic used to hold a basketball out in front of him in both hands and then let anyone try to knock it out or pull it out of his hands.

Even when you put your whole body into pulling the ball you couldn't get him to let go. You could hit it as hard as you wanted with you fist or arm and he still help on to the ball with no problem.

Feryll

When I was in sixth grade we exchanged gifts with our classmates. Everyone pulled a name from a hat and then bought a gift for the person whose name he or she pulled. For me this was more of a headache because I didn't want to be responsible for getting someone outside of my family a gift. I pulled a girl's name and Mom bought her a hat of some kind I think.

The guy who pulled my name bought me a set of hand grips. They were made of two handles and a spring. When you squeezed the handles with your hand the spring would provide resistance and then force the handles back out when you stopped applying enough pressure to keep them closed.

At first site, I was not all that excited about the gift, but I kept those grips all the way through high school and used them religiously. They were simple and I usually did the hand exercises while watching TV or listening to music. The hand grips helped to strengthen my hands, which came in handy for most of the sports I played. I bet the girl who I gave the hat to didn't get as much use out of her gift.

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    • Finger exercises can be integrated into playing guitar.
      By: vitmark
      Finger exercises can be integrated into playing guitar.
    • In sports like rock climbing, finger exercises might involve climbing in a specific way to target the fingers.
      By: Mike-Fotografie
      In sports like rock climbing, finger exercises might involve climbing in a specific way to target the fingers.
    • Stress balls can be squeezed with the entire hand or using several fingers to improve strength.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      Stress balls can be squeezed with the entire hand or using several fingers to improve strength.