finger strength training

[yemista]

what is the best way to increase my finger strength? i recently started studying martial arts and i can barley hold myself up on my fingers. should i just continue to hold myself up every day?

[How Ming]

I hope you are using jow for your hands? It helps prevent arthirtis in old age.

[Inga]

hey yemista, i am new to kung fu and grappling so have been interested in the same issue. i know more experienced folk here on the forum will guide you but here is what i have been using: squeezing a raquetball - first with the whole hand and working toward using four fingers, three, etc. i'm down to two. i've seen my instructor press the ball between his thumb and index finger so that the ball is compeletly oozed out the sides and his fingers are 'touching'. not sure i'll reach that point, but i have a goal line. also, fingertip push ups (on the pads of the fingers) i can only manage 30, sometimes less if my hands are cold. i have seen a lad in my class do push ups on just his thumbs. i'm pretty confident that won't happen to me! haha but could be a goal for you. i also have one of those tension wire hand grip things. what are they called? hand strengthener? i've seen loads of variants in sports stores and martial arts mags. no idea if they work, but they are pretty inexpensive and i have increased the tension on mine since getting it so i guess it has some effect. let me know if you find any other good methods. i must admit i only use jow as a cure rather than as a preventative, but i do massage my hands regularly.

[MidwestMantis]

Dr. Yang has a whole series of exercises in his qin na books.

Here are some things we do at my club: fingertip pushups, panther pushups, picking up coins, windlass, lever, throwing phonebook, throwing sandbag, twisting staffs, etc.

On my own I life weights, reverse curles and wrist extensions. I also keep one of those little balls that they sell in sporting goods stores (in the rock climbing section). I squeeze with my whole hand and with each finger.

I also do my empty air grabs. Do a little each day, you'll do great.

[Miles Mondo]

Try the chi-gu. Its a conical stone.

[SunTzu]

Not much more to add what hasn't been added yet, but ...

- fingertip pushups for strengthening the shoulders, triceps, lower back, chest, wrists and fingers (make sure your fingers stay bent, otherwise it's called cheating This exercise is easier to perform than the tiger pushups

- tiger pushups for strengthening the shoulders, triceps, lower back, chest, wrists and fingers (same as fingertip, only with an arched back making circular movements downwards and up)

- twisting the stick for strengthening the wrists (and probably the elbows toa degree)

- walking your kuen(s) (forms) with heavy bricks in each hand, holding them with the tigerclaw. note: don't cheat by holding the palms up !

[SunTzu]

tiger pushups

make sure you get some documents on the matter, otherwise you may hurt your lower back. If you can't find any readings on it, PM me for one. I've written a piece on it in Dutch (with pics). Can translate that part in English if needed.

This link guides you to a page which explains the exercise by word (no pics)

click here

ps. make sure you look up (to heaven) when pushing up.

[joeblast]

oof, those would kill my lower back!

[joeblast]

correction....actually the exercise feels great when done properly and in my own limited context.

[Miles Mondo]

Have any of you tried the chi-gu stone?