Reddit reviews Prohands Gripmaster Hand Exerciser, Finger Exerciser (Hand Grip Strengthener), Spring-Loaded, Finger-Piston System, Isolate and Exercise Each Finger

I do reps with one of these on long car rides. Pays off in many places....

First, don't look for shortcuts. Yes, you can play a Fmaj7 (x-x-3-2-1-0) or a power chord varation (x-8-10-10-10-x) but you're going to have to build up the strength to play barre chords sooner or later anyway.

What gauge strings are you using on your Samick? Since you're a beginner, I would recommend switching to extra light strings, which will make it much easier to play barre chords. If your guitar hasn't been set up properly, consider taking it to a guitar tech and ask them to lower the action on it so the distance between the strings and the fretboard isn't as great.

The F barre chord is the hardest barre chord to play because it's lowest one on the neck, where you need the most strength to play it. So start playing barre chords further up the neck, which will come a bit easier. I.E., try playing B major (7-9-9-8-7-7), or try minor barre chords like E minor (0-7-9-9-8-7).

Lastly, consider buying a Gripmaster hand exerciser and use it on your fretting hand whenever you're not playing guitar. I used one as a beginner some ten years ago and it helped a lot.

Don't get discouraged. Keep practicing.

This has made a huge difference. I almost quit typing, let alone fencing, before I discovered it.

http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG?th=1&psc=1

I recommend purchasing one of these to help strengthen those weak hands

I struggle with the same issue, and I'm the same age as you! I've picked at my cuticles/hang nails since I was a kid and also pick my lips.

Therapy is a first great step. Your therapist might notice, but that's good. There's times where I'll be talking to my therapist and not even notice I'm doing it. She will point it out and ask what's going on in my mind that I defaulted to that.

I found when I got started into nail care (cuticle oil, pushing back my cuticles, painting my nails) that there was less dead skin to pick in the first place, but also I didn't want to ruin my hands because putting acetone on open wounds hurts very badly.

I use this for when I feel especially frustrated, I find being mindful of my actions and closely observing how I feel while I pick has helped me to decrease that a lot. I'm like you where I can absentmindedly do it. I also try to keep extra tubes of chapstick, I'm much less likely to pick if my lips are moisturized(which seems like an uphill battle at times).

Speak to those in your life if you feel their suggestions aren't helpful, because I experienced resentment towards partners who cast a 'well just stop' attitude to the situation.

If you ever need support or someone to talk with, feel free to PM me!

As others have stated, try barre chords further down the neck... F barre in the 1st position requires a good deal of finger strength. Try B barre in 7th pos, then A at 5 then G at 3. Work your way up to F at 1st.

Having good position/posture well help - (assuming you play right handed) left leg up a bit using a foot rest, guitar resting between legs, neck of guitar angled up about 30ish degrees, left palm on the side of the neck, thumb directly behind frets on the back of the neck - like youre trying to pinch the strings down between your thumb and index. Dont try to wrap your thumb around the neck, unless you have crazy monkey hands having the thumb out of position makes barres a lot more difficult .


Look into buying something like this to build finger strength
http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

I used these exact ones and they helped a lot with finger strength and dexterity.

In short: practice.

It was like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

I feel I may have really crappy genetics when it comes to my tendons though. Keep getting lots of tendonitis issues from lifting weights even do I do it very conservatively.

Get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/GRIP-MASTER-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG haha

finger strength?

In addition to the other suggestions, consider one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/d/Hand-Strengtheners/GRIP-MASTER-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/B0085MX3SG

These work wonders http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085MX3SG/ref=s9_top_hm_awbw_by8fl_g200_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-11&pf_rd_r=1QMEXTH62X5MFX517H54&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=0b1d4446-e0f7-5cd4-b75e-ad8848112f97&pf_rd_i=14333021

Also, playing more is the ultimate solution. You could also try lighter gage strings at first, that tends to help as well.

I recommend the purchase of a gripmaster

I have one of these To keep my strength up and keep me occupied.

http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG one of these things. I love mine and have managed to not lose it over about 4 years!

> I'd like some kind of spring loaded pinky finger exerciser so I can fire my Limitless with my pinky

Check out the Gripmaster. It comes with a myriad of exercises, one of which is bound to be for the pinky.

You might be able to find one of these types of things that allows you to grip it like you do a can. The higher tension ones certainly would be enough to train with.

Get one of these, it really helps after a couple months of use

If your finger strength is holding you back, I've found grip trainers like this to be helpful, especially since you can use them during non-guitar time. https://www.amazon.com/GRIP-MASTER-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

It's going to be pretty general unless I know what kind of instrument you play. However, I find that the gripmasters help a lot with individual finger strength. An exercise i would do for this would be 30 reps, then hold for 30 seconds, repeat.

If you want overall hand strength, false grip farmer walks, or anything false grip really.

Get one of these

You look like a chode while doing it, but when you pull off a flawless YYZ, you'll be drowning in bitches.

https://www.amazon.com/d/Hand-Strengtheners/GRIP-MASTER-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/B0085MX3SG

There are other little gadgets for fingers and wrists in the related items too

Get a Gripmaster and start using it, both hands. I used to sprain a thumb every week before I got one, and now I haven't sprained any finger in over a year. You can use it while watching TV or in class, it's pretty awesome.

Something like this would work- (http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG) or my local store always has these balls that you can get as well.

>I just read on /r/guns recently that those grip exercises are actually bad for trigger control and shooting. Basically, what the claim was is that they increase grip strength but decrease finger dexterity.

Did they provide source(s)? I'd be interested to see them.

There are also Gripmasters that let you isolate fingers, but I didn't find it as effective. I've also played with those gyroscope thingies. No noticeable difference in shooting performance, but they're fun to irritate people with while watching tv.

Let's be honest, though -- operating a pistol doesn't require that much finger dexterity. You're shooting, not painting the Mona Lisa.

I'm also a rock climber, so I have one of these just lying around in my room, but it also works for starcraft purposes to really get the blood flowing to all of my fingers. Maybe it'd work for you?

Funny that you posted this, I just bought this yesterday
http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

Grab yourself one of these and use it while reading, watching TV, etc. https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

I noticed a pretty nice increase in pinky strength after about a week. I still use it to keep my hand strength up, for both hands.

http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

i reccomend this, blue or red

:) totally working on it

I also found that a finger trainer helped me develop the muscles in my fingers:
http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B0085MX3SG

you can try wrist curls, or one of these things

Gripmasters. Accept no substitutes. I use a red.