Your Grip Strength Says More About Your Health Than You Think

Your grip strength isn’t only important for lifting weights and opening jars. It’s a powerful predictor of your overall health, future disease risks, and even how long you’ll live (a strong claim with limited support).

A Health Marker Hidden in Plain Sight

One of many studies that were done about grip strength was published in The Lancet. It says that grip strength is more strongly associated with all-cause mortality than systolic blood pressure.

In a study of almost 140,000 adults across 17 countries, those who had lower grip strength were prone to higher rates of heart disease and stroke.

Another study in The Journal of Gerontology found that grip strength declines are directly associated with cognitive decline, mobility issues, and increased hospital stays in adults.

Grip strength is more than hand muscles, it’s a window into your:

• Muscular health - Weak grip can indicate general muscle loss
• Nervous system function - Poor coordination or slowed signals can reduce strength
• Heart and lung efficiency - Low grip strength is often seen in patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions
• Biological aging - Faster decline in strength may suggest accelerated aging

How To Improve Your Grip (and Overall Health)

At least, your grip is something you can train. It won’t be easy for people with certain conditions, but that’s why you should always consult your doctor first.

If you are not very active, dead hangs are the perfect start. At least 20 to 40 seconds per set is great. This boosts grip endurance and stretches your shoulders.

Indoor climbers are people with the strongest grip. It takes years to achieve this, but you are basically dead hanging all the time during training.

There are also tools you can use, like hand grippers, wrist rollers, grip rings, and finger extensors.

Why It Matters as You Age

Muscle loss with age starts around your 30s and speeds up in your 60s. Grip strength is often the first visible sign of this decline. That’s why doctors are now using handheld dynamometers in routine checkups for older adults.

“Grip strength offers a simple, inexpensive, and powerful tool to assess health risk,” says Dr. Darryl Leon, lead author of the PURE study.