Using a Dynamometer to Test Hand Strength

By Tom Black   

        Most people who train grip recognize that heavy duty torsion spring grippers, while a great training tool, fall short in "testing" their comparative grip strength because of the grippers wide variance within the same model.  So while it could be said that someone can close a #2 or a #3 gripper then the first obvious question would be "which #2 or #3 gripper."  Dynamometers (or as I like to call them "Dyno or Dynos") bridge the gap from training to testing.  

     As many readers of Bigsteel know I've done more than my share of testing with grippers.  I was searching for a good dynamometer for a long time, but most models only went up to 

Baseline 300-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer

 200-pounds.  I felt that my grip strength may have already been near that mark and didn't want to buy a device that I couldn't use if I got stronger.  I was interested in a precision device, and I felt the Baseline Hydraulic or Jamar type Dynamometers  were the best design because they could be adjusted for hand size.  They also do not have a spring (being a hydraulic device) and I felt that they would be more consistent over time since springs are known to change characteristics as they get older.  The Jamar Dynamometers, however, do not have the capability to read as high as the Baseline, topping out at 200-pounds.

      Upon researching the subject I discovered that Baseline had fairly recently come out with a 300-pound hydraulic hand dynamometer and I found an excellent price (which I honestly don't think can be beat) from Wisdom King.com (See links below).

Testing Grip Strength with the Dynamometer

     Unfortunately for me, I underestimated the severity of an injury I had at the time that I purchased the Dyno and could not do as well as I'd hoped on the device.  Still, I could

 squeeze 85kg, but felt it was no where near my best (because it really hurt my arm to squeeze it!)  Interestingly, as I've begun to heal I have only inched up to 86kg (or around 189-pounds).  I have been told by good authority that 85kg is still a very good squeeze and that most Captains of Crush cannot do over 100kg's.   I really like the adjustable hand size and feel that this is a much fairer test of hand and grip strength.

     I was extremely impressed by the quality of the Baseline Dynamometer, it was a true medical grade testing device.  

Pinch Grip Testing

     Baseline and Jamar also sell pinch grip testing devices, all available from Wisdom King.  I did not buy these testers, but wonder if some day I'll regret that decision.  Like the hand strength dynamometer, these testers come in two strengths, and most grip trainers would probably opt for the device with the higher reading capability (95-pounds).  These companies also sell a digital model of these testers, but the price is over double the standard models!  I actually could use the dynamometer that I bought to do a make-shift pinch test, with the numbers somewhat reflecting what I could actually do with plates.  Basically I just held my hand in a pinch position over the handles.

Grippers verses Dynamometers

     In my True gripper force article I made some predictions of gripper strength verses dynamometer tested strength.   Since my strength dropped from my long lay off (nearly 5 months) I was able to verify my theory with my old Master gripper (like a very hard #2 gripper).  First training day back I was a pennies width away on this gripper (sad considering I had done over 10-pounds on a straphold with the same gripper) and tested my strength as 185-pounds immediately after resting after that attempt.  The next week I closed the Master and registered 190-pounds.   This particular gripper is probably very similar to the older #2 grippers, with a deep pinned handle set into the springs.  It is fairly old now, having been used for a few years, and probably is a bit below its former strength, so 190-pounds appears to be right in line with Richard Sorin's numbers from years ago.  This should be no surprise to most people who know Richard, who owns many a dynamometer and had done many comparisons and tests himself a few years ago.

(Note: I purchase the baseline 300lb dynamometer with the case.  I highly recommend the carrying case, it is well worth the small additional amount).

Dynamometer Resources:

Dynamometers at Wisdom King  

• Wisdom King-Main Page

• Hand Dynamometers- Main Page 

• All types of Dynamometers (not just hand)- Dynamometer Page  

Baseline Dynamometers at Wisdom King:

   300-pound Dynamometers:

• Baseline 300-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with large head- View Details.
• Baseline 300-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer  with large head and carrying case- View Details. *Recommended  
• Baseline Digital Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with case- View Details.

   200-pound Dynamometers:

• Baseline 200-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with Standard Head- View Details.
• Baseline 200-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with Standard Head with carrying case- View Details.
• Baseline 200-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with Large Head with carrying case- View Details.
• Jamar 200-pound Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer with carrying case- View Details.

   220-pound Dynamometers (100-kg):

• Lafayette Hand Dynamometer- Spring dynamometer with carrying case- View Details.
  

   Grip and Pinch Dynamometers:

The JackHammer for Grip Training