I'm in my early sixties. I use what I call the "clamp" method of grasping a pistol slide to rack it, as opposed to the "slingshot" method, which offers less purchase on the slide and which is- to me- awkward.

Recently, I have begun to feel only slightly less sure of myself when racking some slides. I want to get ahead of this, now that I have a sense of what will be coming my way, as the forces of entropy encroach.

I figured there would be more to it that buying a pair of those grip squeezy things that used to be in Charles Atlas ads many years ago.

I ran across the video below and these guys make a lot of sense to me. In the vid, they say that these latex things are only about ten bucks each, but that was 2018 and hey, whadda ya know? They've more than doubled in price. What a surprise.

Any other suggestions?

I had a lady friend who injured a wrist on some broken glass. She suffered some very severe lacerations. After her surgeries the physical therapist gave her a ball to squeeze. Was a little larger than a tennis ball but not as stiff. She had to squeeze that ball daily. At the end of therapy her grip strength was better than before the accident. So maybe see what physical therapists use.

Here's a good exercise for forearm (wrist power). You can make something similar at home.



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Guillain Barré devastated my grip strength and dexterity, and left my fingers numb.

I have recovered a good deal of the strength and some of the dexterity, with these squeeze balls:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072...dt_b_product_details

Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about the numbness; my safe-cracking days are over.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
I had a lady friend who injured a wrist on some broken glass. She suffered some very severe lacerations. After her surgeries the physical therapist gave her a ball to squeeze. Was a little larger than a tennis ball but not as stiff. She had to squeeze that ball daily. At the end of therapy her grip strength was better than before the accident. So maybe see what physical therapists use.

I have a gel ball is what I call it. I just feels good in the hand. As soon as you grab it you don't want to set it down. Kind of relaxing and works on your grip.

Fingertip push-ups. Seemed to work for me.

A good phycial therapist is the best bet. I have had my share of PT over the last year.Racking a pistol involves more than grip strength.
Most of the grip exercises mentioned above apply to a Quarterback. Good luck

Why am I remembering the Shake Weight episode of South Park?

I train Brazilian Jit Jitsu (BJJ) 2-4 times a week and kickbox once a week. Grip strength and grip fighting are key attributes in BJJ.

I use dead blow hammer with my forearm rested at the edge of a table or arm rest and do curls.

If you have access to a couple of dumbbells or kettlebells, farmer's carry are great:



Another great exercise is pinching a weight between the tips your 4 fingers and tip of your thumb and walking around.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
Here's a good exercise for forearm (wrist power). You can make something similar at home.

This is a good one! I made mine from 550 cord and PVC and use a carabiner so I can change the weight as I see fit.

Back in Aug of '22 I crushed my left hand in an ATV rollover. After 9 steel pins came out I was recommended these by my hand doc. I am back at around 97% strength in that hand.



Amazon link

A $1.25 pool noodle will do the same thing

I second the recommendation for the squeezy ball (or pool noodle as an alternative) for grip strength. Wrist strength is a different issue and probably best served by simply asking a physical therapist or maybe googling for recommendations. I shoot left handed and I suffer from mild arthritis in both hands and severe arthritis in my right thumb (just turned 78). It makes racking a slide on my 226 both painful and difficult. In my case, the pain rather than a lack of strength is the issue.
Please let us know what you end up doing and how it works.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
Here's a good exercise for forearm (wrist power). You can make something similar at home.

I made my own homemade version. 1 1/4 wood dowel rod about 16" long with a hole drilled through the middle, and paracord tied to a weight.

I use Chinese Baoding Balls. So satisfying to hear the sound they make as you twirl them around your palm. They also make a chime if you shake them.
Google Search

Kneading a lump of clay and using all your fingers and thumbs works them naturally.

Do it until your hands are very tired.

You will see results in a few weeks and you will be less likely to get Repetitive Stress issues as you may from mechanical equipment.

It is also relaxing and stress reliving.

(learned this from making kneading bread dough)

Dynabee

Also a homemade wrist roller. link

I used to use these along with other strength training when I was racing motocross as a teenager. Something you can do while watching TV.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 83v45magna,

I use Ironmind's green egg, the Captains of Crush trainer and #1 grippers. I also use their "Expand your Hand Bands" to work your extensor muscles.

Had the same problem. Started doing dumb bell curls and it strengthened my upper body as well as my grip strength. Started with 10 pounds and moved up. Curls, shoulder shrugs, and triceps. All with the same dumb bells. Cheap to buy a couple pair of dumb bells.

I can't believe this far into the thread and nobody has recommended frequent and lengthy masturbation!

quote:

a pair of those grip squeezy things that used to be in Charles Atlas ads many years ago.

I still have one (don't know what happened to the other one) and use it while watching the tube, seems to help