Has anyone tested their grip strength?

canadad

Semi-Pro
I have seen on social media a guy who has a contraption to test grip strength; how much force they can squeeze. Has anyone tried this? I’m curious to see if we as tennis players have good grip strength compared to your average Joe or Jane?
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
I have seen on social media a guy who has a contraption to test grip strength; how much force they can squeeze. Has anyone tried this? I’m curious to see if we as tennis players have good grip strength compared to your average Joe or Jane?
I purchased one and use it regularly as an isometric grip exercise, it’s supposed to help lower blood pressure. My highest reading was 115lbs. Which for my age is considered excellent, but I weight train regularly so that’s why mine would be high.
I’ve read that some doctors use these grip meters as a way to judge a persons health.
 

canadad

Semi-Pro
That’s interesting, I imagine they we would have a little better grip strength because of griping the racquet. I lift a little as well, I’d like to get one of those.
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
I've had my grip strength tested consistently, and my right, playing hand grip is weaker than my non-playing hand due to nerve impingement and long term damage. It doesn't seem to impact my game in any way that I can discern.
 

yossarian

Professional
I have a handheld dynamometer in my clinic. It’s going to change based on positioning and whether you are allowed to stabilize it with your other hand

Free handing it with my R I just got 90 kilograms. With my L I get 58…

Just retested on a different one and got 84 kg
 
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ey039524

Hall of Fame
The PT tested me when I first saw him for TE. He said that he thought my grip was strong, so the tendon was healed already. It had been about 6 months at this point.
 

glenda

Rookie
I have seen on social media a guy who has a contraption to test grip strength; how much force they can squeeze. Has anyone tried this? I’m curious to see if we as tennis players have good grip strength compared to your average Joe or Jane?
Let's be clear about grip strength in playing tennis.

A firm fingertip racket grip helps on higher volleys and half volleys at the service line and further back.

But on serve and full-swinging baseline shots, a looser grip is required to prevent a tightening all the way up the arm, from the wrist to the shoulder.

A looser grip allows racket acceleration. A tighter grip slows racket speed at ball contact.

Foremost, every joint works independently, yet every joint, from the brain to the eyes to the neck to the arm to the waist to the knees to the ankles to the toes, works in a coordination on hitting a tennis ball.

That might explain why so many people try to play tennis on their own and then after a time or two quit.
 
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LOBALOT

Legend
Let's be clear about grip strength in playing tennis.

A firm fingertip racket grip helps on higher volleys and half volleys at the service line and further back.

But on serve and full-swinging baseline shots, a looser grip is required to prevent a tightening all the way up the arm, from the wrist to the shoulder.

A looser grip allows racket acceleration. A tighter grip slows racket speed at ball contact.

Exactly, anything that requires a full swing requires a loose grip. Anything that requires a a punch type stroke requires a stronger grip.

A vast majority of the strokes in tennis require a loose grip.
 
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glenda

Rookie
In my instructing primarily adults who tend to squeeze the racket handle way too tight, I provide them an advanced technique, a power technique, to show them the value of a loose grip on baseline shots - the technique: the lag in the backswing, of a relaxed wrist bringing the racket somewhat further back before the full swing to a complete follow through.

No doubt, a lag in the backswing requires quick reaction and exceptional timing on hitting with a full baseline stroke. Nevertheless, the players practicing the lag begin understanding the value of a loose grip while setting up for the next ball heading their way.
 
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