Grip Strength: Opening Jars and Better Vitality

Ever paused to think about why the darned pickle jar is so hard to open? Or why the child safety seal on the ibuprofen doesn’t know you’re well through puberty? It all comes down to grip strength! 

Your hands are the beginning of the entire upper-body chain, and building strength there pays dividends all the way through your wrists, elbows, and shoulders. If you’re experiencing wrist weakness, or elbow pain your grip strength may be the culprit!

Grip strength is one of the simplest and most powerful indicators of overall health and physical function. Recently, researchers have identified it as a new vitality indicator; linking stronger grip strength to better mobility, healthier muscles and bones, greater independence and even a lower risk of future mortality.

How to Build a Better Grip ✋

Want to open the pickle jar easily and with that satisfying pop? Get to the ibuprofen swiftly when you’re hampered by a headache? In Kinstretch classes during the month we’ll build a stronger, more resilient grip through better joint function. Potential positive outcomes of this work include, but are not limited to:

  • Improved active control of the hands, wrists, and elbows
  • Better grip and forearm strength through intentional loading
  • Increased tissue capacity for healthier, more resilient joints
  • Exploration in how the hand influences the entire upper-body chain
  • More pickles! 

Whole Body, Whole Life Impacts 🛟

Ok, ok, grip strength isn’t just about more pickles, although that helps. Your hands are connected to your wrists, elbows, shoulders, AND your nervous system. When one link in that chain isn’t functioning well, it affects everything from lifting weights and practicing yoga to carrying groceries, gardening, opening jars, and catching yourself (without breaking) when you stumble.

Putting it Into Practice & Having Fun 🐦‍⬛

Want to know another best part (besides more pickles)? At the Studio, we like to put this work into practice with our yoga classes as well. We spend time building stronger, more resilient wrists and shoulders while having a blast exploring Crow Pose, for example, in a way that is approachable, playful, and rooted in good mechanics. Whether Crow has always intimidated you or you’ve been practicing it for years, you’ll leave with healthier joints, stronger hands, and a better understanding of how your body works. Come see what the buzz about Yoga in the Upper Valley is all about! 

Join Us!

🛟 KINSTRETCH: every Wednesday at 9am. 🌊 FLOW Yoga:  Sunday 8:30am, Tuesday 6am, Wednesday 6:30pm, and Friday at 9am.💧THE YOGA: Monday at 9am, Thursday 6am, and Saturday at 8:30am.

Missed out on Grip Strength and/or Yoga classes this month? We got you! Find wrist strengthening exercises here in our FRC Library. For full classes on demand, check out The Remote Studio to access Studio classes anytime, anywhere.

Register ahead for next month’s classes where we will focus on knees, ankles and feet!

At The Studio in White River Jct, VT, we believe movement has the power to transform lives. More than just a fitness studio, we’re a welcoming community where people come to connect, find balance, and leave feeling stronger in both body and mind. Our classes are thoughtfully designed & led by our empowering instructors. With classes offered seven days a week, our diverse weekly schedule makes it easy to find the perfect class to fit your goals, experience level, and lifestyle. Whether you’re joining us for your first class or your hundredth, you’ll always find a place to belong at The Studio.