A solid grip is a huge help when playing sports or doing household chores — but it’s also been repeatedly tied to a longer, healthier life. Partly this is because people with strong hands tend to be more physically active, which itself is associated with longevity.
But hand or grip strength is also important for daily tasks that become harder as you age, whether you’re opening a jar or catching yourself to avoid a fall. Despite this, it’s not something many people go to the gym for, or think about much at all.
“Hands are this important body part that’s not on our exercise radar,” said Katy Bowman, a kinesiologist and host of the Move Your DNA podcast.