Move · Videos · Strength · 15 min

Hand Grip Exercises With Household Items

Video by SKILLS AND WELLNESS on YouTube · Open on YouTube

An occupational therapist leads wrist and finger mobility, then grip work with a soup can, a sponge, a book and a rolled towel. Aimed at older adults and anyone who finds they drop things.

  • 15 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • towel

Good forHealthy ageing

Step by step 10

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Wrist circles 10 times, then bend the wrists up and down 10 times. 1:40
  2. Finger joints: hold each finger and gently circle and bend it, one finger at a time. 2:15
  3. Hand stretch: palm facing away, gently pull the fingers back for 10 seconds, then fingers down; each hand. 2:55
  4. Claw: bend from the middle finger joints 10 times; then bend from the knuckles, like waving bye-bye, 10 times. 4:16
  5. Finger spread: hands flat on a table or your lap, spread the fingers wide like a fan, then together; 10 times. 5:30
  6. Wrist curls with a light can: palm down, slowly up and down 10 times; then palm up, curling it towards you. 6:33
  7. Open and close your hands 10 times with arms out in front, then raised up, then out to the sides. 9:46
  8. Squeeze a sponge if you lack a stress ball; then pinch a book, fingers and thumb pointing down, 10 seconds a hand. 10:52
  9. Book hold with the thumb out to the side, pressing with its fleshy pad; 10 seconds each hand. 12:12
  10. Towel wring: fold and roll a hand towel, then wring it one way and the other, 10 times. 13:09

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Curl the wrist slowly up and down with a light can
  • Spread the fingers wide like a fan, then bring them back together
  • Wring a rolled towel both ways so each hand works

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 1 take load

  • Wrists & hands takes loadwrist curls with a can, stretches, book holds, towel wring
  • Elbows movestowel wringing, wrist curls, straight-arm grips

Easier option from the coach: Seated at a table; sponge, light can or book instead of grip tools

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by SKILLS AND WELLNESS; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety