In addition to my twice-a-week strength training regimen I now carry a hand strengthening device in my car. I use it when traveling or running errands. I originally started using a regular “hardware store” scissor clamp (background — yellow clamp), but it failed after about two months of use. I then picked up this clamp from Flawless Fitness on Amazon. I have used it for a few months now and it seems to work great. It is adjustable in the pressure and opening.
Why bother? Read on.
- For doing pull-ups, it aids in keeping my old (60+ yr old) hands stronger for that purpose.
- Having stronger hands certainly helps when changing out tires and/or tubes.
- In 2012, while on a the Colorado High Country 1200K ride, I was able to work with a small group of fellow riders for this 4-day event (translation: they were kind enough to let me draft with them!). For some reason, towards the end of this ride, my hand got very fatigued, to the point that after the ride, I was barely able to open my car door with my keys. I am guessing that this was due to all the gentle braking with my fingers as I was drafting for hours and hours each day. At that time I was not doing hand strengthening exercises. I am not hoping for a repeat, so consequently I have added this easy one to my “regular work outs.”
Author: Rando Richard
I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip.
Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor.
My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks).
Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail.
— Richard Stum
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May be the beginning of carpal tunnel syndrome from hand positioning on handlebars or cervical radiculopathy from neck position while riding. Get checked out by someone that can evaluate you for both conditions. See an occupation therapist for a rehab program for you hand. Easier to get fixed early on.
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Good suggestion Mitch. That was a one-time occurrence, back in 2012 and hasn’t happened since.
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For DIY dumbbells, grab two cans or bottles of water. Stand up straight , with one foot in front of the other and the front knee slightly bent. With palms facing each other and the abs engaged, bend forward slightly from the waist and extend arms out to the side, squeezing the shoulder blades. Repeat.
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