Do those finger exerciser's really work?

[ksgtarheel]

I've been playing for a while, but I'd wish my fingers were stronger so I could press down on the strings easier. Just want to know if there's any reviews on those finger exercisers. thanks in advance.

[mainestratman]

Get a couple of old racquetballs.. the blue rubber things.. they do as good a job and cost an eighth as much. :-)

[marnold***]

Guitar playing is not really about getting the grip o' death. I had one of those after my hand injury and it was very beneficial for that. I question its benefit for a guitarist. You'd be better off building strength via playing.

[Commodore 64***]

If you use the exerciser to develop finger independence, I think it could be useful, but the more I play, the more I realize it's not about strength at all.

[Bloozcat]

Useful, yes, essential, no.

They're mainly good for preventing hand fatigue IMO, and that's even iffy...

As with marnold's experience, I found one to be good after a hand injury.

[sumitomo]

If you use the exerciser to develop finger independence, I think it could be useful, but the more I play, the more I realize it's not about strength at all.

I agree it's about finger independence,Check out finger fitness vids on youtube.Sumi

[wingsdad]

Get a couple of old racquetballs.. the blue rubber things.. they do as good a job and cost an eighth as much. :-)

I've used these, old tennis balls and odd foam stress balls. My favorites the past few years have been a couple of stress ball brains; perfect density and shape for fiddling it between fingertips or gripping with all the tips (like a baseball knuckleball pitcher's grip)

Finger independence, true. One of the means to that end, and to nimble control of 'touch', is good finger muscle tone. It's not about developing brute strength. Squeezing too tight has a negative effect on tone and finger quickness. But strong, long finger muscles -- akin to a swimmer's or to a juice-free baseball pitcher's arm -- in both hands, make for better control and precision of movement. They allow you to relax, to minimize effort. And ironically, you find yourself playing with a lighter touch as a result.

[kiteman]

I've used these, old tennis balls and odd foam stress balls. My favorites the past few years have been a couple of stress ball brains; perfect density and shape for fiddling it between fingertips or gripping with all the tips (like a baseball knuckleball pitcher's grip)

Finger independence, true. One of the means to that end, and to nimble control of 'touch', is good finger muscle tone. It's not about developing brute strength. Squeezing too tight has a negative effect on tone and finger quickness. But strong, long finger muscles -- akin to a swimmer's or to a juice-free baseball pitcher's arm -- in both hands, make for better control and precision of movement. They allow you to relax, to minimize effort. And ironically, you find yourself playing with a lighter touch as a result.

What I was going to say.

You build your finger strength to have control meaning lighter touch. As I found out, the calluses is gone because of that.

[Plank_Spanker]

I don't buy into those finger exercisers - they're snake oil. You don't need a lot of strength with your fingers. You need touch and stamina...............and the best way to get that is to play your guitar regularly.

[jpfeifer]

I agree with Plank Spanker on this. I think that the best way to develop the right hand strength and dexterity is to simply play your guitar more. One way to do that is to invest in a practice guitar that you can take with you and play more often. I bought one of these "Traveler Speedster" guitars that I can take along on business trips, and play through headphones. These are great for keeping your hands in shape when you're away from home for an extended period. Since you can play these through the headphones, you can practice all you want in a hotel room and never bother anyone.

Another area that people seem to overlook is doing hand and forearm stretching exercises to keep your tendons and circulation in good shape. I had a struggle with tendonitis for a while and this really helped to get me back in shape.

--Jim

[sumitomo]

There you go jpfeifer I dealt with that tendonitis and stretching helps alot and that's exercise too.Before I play I do a hand warmup (keeding hands together like when it's cold)stretch both fingers and forearms only takes a couple min's,makes this old fart feel much more comfortable while playing.Makes the old vibrato smoother also.Sumi

[Spudman***]

I posted something last year about where I noticed my playing improved and my fatigue lessened after I had been lifting weights for a couple of months. Naturally my grip got stronger from lifting and I was playing quite a bit as well so as my overall hand strength improved so did my playing. I remember this because I lift weights during the winter and then cycle during the rest of the year. Mountain biking helps with hand strength more than road biking for what it's worth.

[mainestratman]

I've got a pretty strong grip anyways... my "finger exercise" = acoustic guitar.

[Tig***]

I remember this because I lift weights during the winter and then cycle during the rest of the year. Mountain biking helps with hand strength more than road biking for what it's worth.

Also, road cycling alone doesn't provide any weight bearing/impact type of exercise, which keeps your bone density strong. Throw in a bunch of sweating, which leaches calcium from your bones, and look out!
(2 decades of that caused my premature osteoporosis, which I discovered all too late, but developed all too early)

MTB provides all kinds of upper body arm and hand exercise, as well as good impact/weight bearing loads. I season of that gives you Pop-Eye forearms!

[sumitomo]

Pop-Eye forearms![/QUOTE]

Where's me Spinach Where's me Spinach! Ug Ugg guh gah! Now where's that wench Olive. Sumi

[marnold***]

George Lynch was big into bodybuilding for a few years there. He got to the point where he said it actually impeded his guitar playing. He's more normal-sized now.

[BigBadWolf1171]

Id say its really not about finger strength,unless you have overly weak hands.it doesnt take but a lite touch to push a string down.ive been powerlifting for the better part of 23 years and it had totally worked against playing guitar. i have average length fingers but the years of lifting have made my hands thick enough that xxl gloves are required for them (i have to cut 3/4 inch off the ends of the fingers).its made gripping the neck harder from thumb joint thickness, to having to really arch my hand over the strings from upper palm and finger thickness. And yet my forearm will still get sore if i play for a few hours. In my opinion,just playing the guitar is the best excerise there is.

[Plank_Spanker]

Finger strength really isn't an issue with guitars.....unless you're trying to fret a dobro.

Stamina is the issue. Can you fly around the fretboard at will for several hours without feeling fatigued? The only way to build that up is to play to that level regularly. If I slacked off for a week or two and then played a gig, I could feel it - I could still move, but my hand was feeling tired by the end of the gig. When I stay in good playing shape, my hand is as fresh at the end of the night as it was when I started.