The 5 Best Finger Exercisers [Ranked]
Finger exercisers are versatile hand-gripped finger strengtheners with five pistons that can be independently manipulated or locked into place to meet your needs (Source).
They strengthen the fingers, hands, and even the forearms!
They feature adjustable tension resistance for customized strengthening regimens. Their small size and inexpensive price makes them a handy tool to tote around, improving grip strength or rehabbing an injury on-the-go (Source).
Our Top Pick: The Varigrip Hand Exerciser
- BUILD STRENGTH AND DEXTERITY – Develop and maintain strength and dexterity in your fingers, hands and forearms. The ergonomic design and over molded finger pads and grip help make your conditioning workouts comfortable
Varigrip Video Overview
In general, people looking to do finger strengthening exercises are often trying to treat or prevent sports injuries, deal with the pain of arthritis, improve the performance of their hobby- whether they are guitar players, pianists, rock climbers or crossbow enthusiasts.
Contents
| Finger Exercisers | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Finger Master Hand Strengthener | 4.6 | $ | |
 | The 321 Strong Adjustable Finger Strengthener | 4.3 | $ |
| The GripMaster Hand Exerciser | 4.4 | $ | |
| The D'Addario Adjustable Hand Exerciser | 4.5 | $ | |
| The VariGrip Hand & Exerciser | 4.2 | $ |
The Five Best Finger Exercisers For 2023
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
- The Finger Master employs soft rubber for extra comfort and is built with a copper core to prevent the stiff, cheap steel of other finger exercisers
- Each piston is marked to adjust tension from 3 to 8.5 lbs
- Importantly, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- You can separately manipulate each one of its 5 pistons, or lock them into place, to practice different fingering exercises
This hand and finger exerciser offered by Epitomie Fitness is light, practical and versatile. Users love the price and the small size, but some do note that it starts to squeak after several weeks.
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This finger master strengthener is made of soft, malleable rubber for extra comfort, and it has a quality copper core, five pistons that can be independently manipulated or adjusted, adjustable tension from 3 to 8.5 lbs, and adjustment dials. You can use it for a wide variety of exercises with up to six different grips, and it’s available in several colors – orange, blue, green, yellow and red.
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A buyer shares that this finger exerciser is perfect for guitar players and that this is the most durable and effective exerciser for fingers that he has ever used. The reviewer also states that this hand grip exercising device is so small that he can carry it in his pocket and use it wherever and whenever he wants.
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Another happy purchaser mentions that his grip has improved drastically and that customer support is exceptional. He would recommend it to anyone looking for the best finger exerciser.
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However, some customers have complained that the resistance is not strong enough, even when it’s adjusted to the maximum. Some users also note that after a couple of weeks, it’s already too easy to use it and that it doesn’t provide a challenge for their fingers.
Pros
- Light
- Portable
- Five piston design
- Adjustable
- Available in several colors
Cons
- Complaints that the tension is too weak
- Noisy
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This finger strengthening tool offered by Strong is compact, comfortable and well-made. Users love that it’s adjustable, but some do note that they had problems with the knobs.
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This finger and hand strengthener measures 2.6 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches, and it has four finger pistons that can be individually adjusted from 3.5 to 6 lbs, a soft rubber coated bottom base, powerful steel spring and an E-book with ten finger exercises. It’s made of durable, heavy-duty black plastic and it’s so light that you can carry it in your back pocket or purse.
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A user comments that the Strong hand exerciser arrived quickly and in perfect condition and that his motor skills have improved since he started using it. Another buyer shares that his grandmother is very impressed with this finger exercise tool and that she uses it daily with pleasure.
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A satisfied purchaser also mentions that this is the best hand exerciser that he has ever owned and that he chose it because he can adjust the tension. Another client states that his finger strengthener is ideal for musicians and that his fingertips have strengthened drastically.
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Moreover, he can use it while he is watching TV and he would definitely recommend it for beginner guitar practice exercises. However, some customers have complained that they couldn’t change the resistance at all and that the adjustment knob is not working properly. Some users also state that the tension is insignificant and it’s not a challenge at all to use the finger exerciser.
The 321 Finger Strengthener Video Review
Pros
- Light
- Portable
- Four pistons
- Individual adjustments
- A rubber base
- Steel springs
- An E-book with exercises
Cons
- Difficult to adjust
- Problems with the knobs
- Complaints that the tension is weak
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are looking for a top-rated hand exerciser, you might want to consider this finger and hand strengthener offered by GripMaster. Users love the high-quality design, but some do note that it doesn’t fit well in the palm.
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This hand exercising tool has four spring-loaded finger pistons that challenge each finger individually, durable construction with a rubber base and a complete exercise program. This finger exerciser is available in three models with different resistance – green xx-light (1.5 pounds per finger), yellow x-light (3 pounds), blue light (5 pounds), red medium (7 pounds) and black heavy tension (9 pounds).
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In general, users have a favorable opinion of the GripMaster finger exerciser, and they praise its design, construction, and performance. A buyer comments that this hand and finger exercising tool is made of high-grade material and that after using the black heavy tension gripper for two weeks, he began to play the guitar more accurately than before.
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Another reviewer mentions that her nine-year-old daughter uses the xx-light finger exerciser once in a while and that she has no more problems with the cello’s strings. The reviewer would recommend it to anyone looking for the best guitar hand exerciser.
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However, some customers have complained that it’s easier to use the hand exerciser than they expected and that the springs tend to get loose with time. Some users also note that it’s more suitable for people recovering from surgeries than as a grip strength workout.Â
The Grip-Master Finger Strengthener Video Review
Pros
- Cheap
- Four finger pistons
- Available in several models with different tension
- A rubber base
- Light
- Well-made
- Efficient
Cons
- Not adjustable
- Loose spring
- Might be too easy to use
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are wondering how to strengthen your fingers or hands, you might take a look at his adjustable hand exerciser offered by Planet Waves. Users love the strong tension and the challenge, but some do note the pistons might pop out.
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This flexible finger exercising tool has a reversible molded grip, simulated strings, a weight of 0.2 ounces and adjustable tension. Its dimensions are 1.1 x 5.2 x 8.1 inches, and you can use it to maintain and improve the dexterity and strength of your fingers, hand, and forearms.
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Overall, this is an excellent choice for a finger exerciser, especially for musicians.
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In general, buyers are extremely satisfied with the D’Addario adjustable hand exerciser, and they praise its performance, usefulness, and efficiency.
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A user shares that this adjustable hand exerciser is perfect for keeping the tips of his finger callused and that he can carry it in his pockets and use it whenever he has spare time. Another happy customer mentions that he has been using this hand strengthener for a year without any complaints and that his hands don’t get sore anymore after playing the bass.
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Another purchaser also states that the strength exerciser improved his fingers’ dexterity and that he gladly bought two. However, some customers have complained that the resistance is too high and that it’s not very comfortable to use it. Some users also state that this hand and finger exerciser is not very durable and that it broke only after a couple of days.
The D'Addario Finger Exerciser Video Review
Pros
- Light
- Portable
- A strong resistance
- A reversible molded grip
- An adjustable tension
Cons
- Tension is too high
- Slightly uncomfortable
- Complaints of malfunctioning
- Pistons popping out
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This finger and hand exerciser offered by VariGrip is efficient, useful and well-balanced. Users love that they can exercise each finger individually, but some do note that there is no light tension.
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This hand exercising tool has an ergonomic design, an extra-wide textured base, a reversible molded grip, and a weight of 0.4 ounces. The product dimensions are 5 x 7 x 0.5 inches, and you can adjust the tension from medium to heavy. Overall, this is an excellent choice for anyone that wants to build or maintain calluses.
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In general, users have a very high opinion of the VariGrip hand and finger exerciser, and they don’t have any complaints regarding its performance. A buyer comments that he was extremely surprised by the practicality and usefulness of this hand strengthener and that it allows him to maintain his grip and calluses while he is traveling on business.
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The reviewer also mentions that he has been using it for weeks and that he is satisfied with the results. A happy customer shares that this finger strength tool works well and that it’s easy to adjust the resistance. He would recommend it to anyone looking for the best finger exerciser. Another satisfied purchaser states that this hand exercise tool helped him to improve his grip and that it’s well-built and durable.
The VariGrip Finger Exerciser Video Review
Pros
- An ergonomic design
- Light
- A reversible molded grip
- An extra-wide base
- Adjustable tension
- Well-constructed
Cons
- No light tension
What Are Buyers Saying?
The Finger Master
One of the first finger exercisers we took a look at was the Finger Master hand strengther by Epitomie Fitness.
- It comes in blood orange, electric blue, fire red, golden yellow and kryptonite green variations.
- The company has designed it to be extremely versatile- saying that since not everybody's hands are exactly similar, the hand strengthener is engineered so that each of its five pistons can be independently moved, or even locked into place, customizing itself to the users needs.
- This lets you have 5 to 6 different types of grips. As well, they have designed it to be useful for individuals trying to improve their athletic or musical performance, like guitar or even piano players, but it is also a medical instrument to help individuals recovering from wrist or hand surgery, or dealing with carpal tunnel, and arthritis.
- Using this finger exerciser, you can increase the strength and flexibility as well as the dexterity of your fingers, potentially relieving them of pain by strengthening the supportive muscles that help to alleviate pressure from joints.
- One buyer that we spoke with says that he is really into strength training and is also a guitarist, so when he was looking for ways to improve the dexterity and strength of his fingers, forearms and wrists he stumbled across finger exercisers.
- He told us that the way this finger exerciser works is that it has five triggers for you to press with your fingers. There are also two different piston locks that will let you lock the pistons down while you train.
- Because of this design style, it opens up a variety of different exercise training options, letting you get a really good stretch, for example allowing you to lock the fourth piston to perform stretches with your pinky finger on the fifth piston.
- Each finger can be focused on, allowing you to specifically train individual fingers by performing reps with them. In addition, since the tension of each piston can be adjusted, it's simple to truly customize your hand and finger strength training regimens as you go.
- Each digit can then proceed to be strengthened on a dynamic and rolling basis as opposed to other hand and finger strengtheners that don't offer this versatility.
- He also says that having purchased a variety of these strength training finger exercisers before, many of them were low priced but inferior products- he says that this particular option is well-designed, transportable, and truly provides the sort of hand strengthening training he was looking for.
- Another buyer that we spoke with practices martial arts, specifically Brazilian jujitsu, where he says grip strength is essential to success. Besides it's overall efficacy, this reviewer told us that what he likes most about it is how transportable it is.
- He can perform grip strengthening exercises anywhere- whether he is driving to work, sitting at the desk, or just relaxing in the evening watching TV.
The 321
The 321 Strong adjustable finger strengthener was another solid option that we examined.
- The company says that it is designed to offer an extensive range of tension and is engineered to strengthen wrists, forearms, fingers and hands.
- One buyer purchased it for his elderly mother who had lost a great deal of hand and finger dexterity as she had aged.
- He says that this particular strengthener is great for people with smaller hands- and that it has allowed his mother to physically rehabilitate her hands outside of the occupational therapy center that she goes to to help restore strength in her digits.
- Another buyer had suffered a stroke and had begun using this finger exerciser to restore strength and flexibility in his hands, and in general using two finger combinations to focus in on improving the flexibility of specific fingers.
- Another buyer that we spoke to said that he had purchased it to focus on working the abductor pollicis longus, the extensor pollicis longus, the extensor digiti minimi, and the extensor carpi ulnaris.
The GripMaster
Another option we took a look at was the GripMaster hand exerciser.
- It comes in a 5 pound per finger model, a 9 pound per finger model, a 7 pound per finger model, a 3 pound per finger model and a 1.5 pound per finger model.
- GripMaster says that it is designed to strengthen weak fingers primarily for athletic purposes in baseball, providing for superior fielding, throwing and hitting.
- Using a proprietary spring-load technology, each finger can be individually challenged to increase the dexterity and strength of the wrist, hand and forearm.
- Because each of the fingers can be individually isolated, GripMaster says that it is an important tool in the arsenal of the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms.
- Even hunters who work with rifles or crossbows, many of them purchase this hand exerciser to perfect their shooting and trigger finger dexterity.
- One guitarist we spoke with says that in his opinion it is a high-quality instrument that has enabled him to increase the accuracy and speed of his guitar playing after only intermittent strengthening exercises.
- In addition, it dramatically reduced the amount of warm-up time that was required before he could begin truly playing his guitar.
- A pianist that we spoke with also endorses the GripMaster hand exerciser and says that for new users you should be cautious not to overdo it and be careful to adjust tensions to your comfort level.
- It's best to do the exercises properly, precisely isolating the muscles, and not using the arm to activate the button presses.
The D'Addario
Another option we examined was the D'Addario adjustable hand exerciser.
- One buyer outlined a very specific regimen to use to develop finger speed and coordination as a pianist.
- He says that the way he uses it is to slowly increase speed with various patterns and partial pushes that create challenging coordination tasks and patterns like 4321, 1414, 1313 fingerings.
- Another buyer advises users to lubricate the pistons every so often so that they remain working smoothly.
- This review were told us that he felt that the tension didn't adjust low enough for his needs, meaning that it was a little bit too hard for him to perform the quality of finger strengthening exercises that he needed.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the muscles of the hand, it's important to understand a little bit about the physioanatomy prior to purchasing one of these devices. The muscles of the hand prefer to skeletal muscles that enable movement of the fingers and hand. Hand muscles can actually be divided into two different groups- the intrinsic an extrinsic muscle groups.
The intrinsic group refers to a collection of smaller muscles that are located in the hand area itself. The extrinsic muscle groups are the long extensors and flexors with a muscle belly that can be found in the forearm. The ulnar, median and radial nerves innervate the muscles of the hand.
There are also ways to strengthen and exercise your fingers and hands without using one of these finger exercise devices. You can perform exercises like gently making a fist holding, for 30 to 60, seconds and then spreading your fingers wide.
You can perform finger stretches that are designed to provide pain relief and increase the range of your hands motion by placing your hands palm down on a flat surface and gently straightening your fingers as flat as you can. Claw stretches can also be useful, as well as purchasing a pinch strengthener, performing finger lifts thumb extensions, and thumb touches.
