What is grip strength?

Grip strength refers to the ability to generate force using the muscles in your hand, wrist, and forearm. It is an important measure of one's overall muscular strength and can be a key indicator of physical health and recovery, especially in athletes. Grip strength is commonly measured using instruments like hand grip dynamometers or even simpler tools like squeezing a scale. A consistent grip strength can suggest good recovery and overall muscle function, while a decrease can indicate inadequate recovery or general fatigue.

Andrew Huberman and Jeff Cavaliere discuss how grip strength also follows a circadian rhythm, generally being lower in the middle of the night and higher mid-morning as body temperature rises. It serves as a practical and simple way to assess the readiness and recovery of your muscular system by reflecting the functional state of your upper motor neurons which are crucial for generating isolated force 1 2 3.