The responses to the following FAQ’s are not intended in any way to replace the advice of a health care professional. IN ALL CASES, seek advice from a licensed health care professional before commencing use of the Handmaster Plus.

Does the Handmaster Plus improve grip strength?
Does the Handmaster Plus improve muscle balance and help prevent injury?
Does the Handmaster Plus improve circulation?
Does the Handmaster Plus fit various hand sizes?
Can the Handmaster Plus improve sports performance?
Can the Handmaster Plus improve musical performance?
Can the Handmaster Plus help carpal tunnel syndrome?
Can the Handmaster Plus help elbow tendonitis?
Can the Handmaster Plus help arthritis?
Can the Handmaster Plus help osteoporosis?
Can the Handmaster Plus aid stroke recovery?
Why does the Handmaster Plus come in different strengths?

Q. Does the Handmaster Plus improve grip strength? 
Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise (i.e., ‘The Hand Closed Hand Open Exercise‘) that increases grip strength maximally by strengthening all 18 of the hand muscles (i.e., the 9 muscles close the hand, and the 9 that open). The Handmaster Plus ‘Figure 8 Exercise‘ additionally strengthens the 9 grip support muscles (in the wrist and forearm) resulting in an exercises that properly strengthens the 27 muscles of grip – in one exercise! University of Pittsburgh researcher, Zong-Ming Li, determined that maximum grip strength occurs in 35º of wrist extension (see link below), illustrating the important connection between extensor muscle strength and grip strength. Most hand exercise products resist only the 9 closing (flexor) muscles. Handmaster Plus strengthens all motors of grip: 1) the 9 hand closing muscles 2) the 9 hand opening muscles, and 3) the 9 grip support muscles (i.e., wrist & forearm). All Handmaster Plus exercises can be seen here.

http://www.pitt.edu/~msrc/publications/2002/li_69.html

Q. Does the Handmaster Plus improve muscle balance and help prevent injury?

Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise (i.e., ‘The Hand Closed Hand Open Exercise‘) that strengthens the 9 muscles that close the hand as well as the 9 muscles that open the hand, resulting in maximum balance, stability, circulation and nerve stimulation. The result is strong, balanced and elongated hand muscles and a reduced risk of finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel and elbow imbalance. Handmaster Plus has been referred to as “the Pilates of hand exercise.” The hand muscles are very similar to the postural muscles of the spine. All Handmaster Plus exercises can be seen here.

Q. Does the Handmaster Plus improve circulation?

Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise (i.e., ‘The Hand Closed Hand Open Exercise‘) that resists all 18 hand muscles, allowing the hand to move through full, natural ranges of motion (ROM’s). Complete circulation is only attained when joints are exercised through full, natural 3D ROM’s. Complete circulation ensures maximum oxygen and nutrient supply to joint surfaces and tissues. Traditional hand exercise products resist through only small ROM’s, and usually in one plane (spring loaded, coiled), not in natural, 3D ROM’s.

See 2017 Thermography Study Handmaster Plus vs. ‘Grip-Only’ Hand Exercise

Q. Does the Handmaster Plus fit various hand sizes?

Yes. An extra cord is included with each product that is slightly smaller than the regular cord assembled. The extra cord accommodates smaller hand sizes and also allows the user to increase resistance, if necessary. PLEASE NOTE that the product will FIT TIGHT by design, to maximize resistance. Perform the exercise and remove. Do not dilly-dally! You will feel blood flow maximize immediately after. Remember to always place thumb loop first when beginning Handmaster Plus exercise and remove thumb loop last when removing. Always use placement tabs to ensure cords are not damaged when placing or removing.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus improve sports performance?

Can you think of any sport where muscle fitness and balance is not a distinct performance advantage? Why would any athlete choose to strengthen 9 of 18 hand muscles when given the option of conveniently strengthen all 18 of them? Weekend athletes and world-class athletes alike currently use the Handmaster Plus to ensure maximum strength, speed, stamina and range of motion (hand, wrist, forearm and elbow) AND to minimize the risk of repetitive gripping RSI’s (repetitive stress/strain injuries) and repetitive motion injuries. Athletes should consider both ‘The Hand Closed Hand Open Exercise‘ to train the 18 hand muscles and ‘The Figure 8 Exercise‘ to train the 27 muscles of grip. All Handmaster Plus exercises can be seen here.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus improve musical performance?

Repetitive gripping and repetitive motions are common in all musical pursuits. When the 9 muscles that close the hand become dominant over the 9 muscles that open the hand, repetitive stress/strain injuries (RSI’s) to the hand, wrist, carpal tunnel and elbow are common. Use of the Handmaster Plus ensures strong, balanced and elongated hand muscles. The result is maximum strength, speed, stretch and stamina for performance and optimum muscle balance and blood flow to reduce the risk of repetitive stress/strain injuries (RSI’s). Musicians must understand the kinetic chain of grip because strength, speed and endurance comes from healthy finger extensor muscles that co-contract to support the gripping flexor muscles. Musicians should consider both ‘The Hand Closed Hand Open Exercise‘ to train the 18 hand muscles and ‘The Figure 8 Exercise‘ to train the 27 grip muscles. All Handmaster Plus exercises can be seen here.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus help carpal tunnel syndrome?

Please be clear, Handmaster Plus is an exercise device, not a medical device. Your health care provider must always decide your complete treatment and rehabilitation protocol. Dr. Zachary observed imbalanced hand exercise in athletes and musicians in the 1990’s due to improperly using ‘squeeze-only’ exercise devices. When the 9 muscles that close the hand become dominant over the 9 muscles that open the hand, the structure of the carpal tunnel can collapse. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is common in all repetitive gripping and grasping activities. It is the most expensive repetitive stress/strain injury to industry. Handmaster Plus provides an easy, convenient hand exercise that strengthens and balances all 18 muscles of the hand resulting in a strong, stable functional carpal tunnel and maximum circulation to and through the carpal tunnel.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus help elbow tendonitis?

Please be clear, Handmaster Plus is an exercise device, not a medical device. Your health care provider must always decide your complete treatment and rehabilitation protocol. Dr. Zachary observed imbalanced hand exercise in athletes and musicians in the 1990’s who trained improperly using ‘squeeze-only’ exercise devices. Even health care professionals sometimes forget that hand muscles attach (in balance) on either side of the elbow. When the 9 muscles that close the hand become dominant over the 9 muscles that open the hand, the elbow itself becomes imbalanced. The main finger extensor tendon attaches at the lateral elbow, while the main finger flexor tendon attaches at the medial elbow. Wrist support muscles also become static & shortened specific to the grip application in question. It is no wonder tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are prevalent in all repetitive gripping and grasping activities (repetitive stress/strain injuries). Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise that strengthens and balances all 18 muscles of the hand ensuring optimal blood flow and muscle balance at the elbow. Handmaster also provides a ‘Figure 8 Exercise‘ that allows grip athletes to properly train the 9 hand closing muscles, the 9 hand opening muscles AND the 9 wrist and forearm support muscles… while at the same time strengthening the entire elbow. Handmaster Plus ensures proper and complete hand and grip muscle training.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus help arthritis?

Please be clear, Handmaster Plus is an exercise device, not a medical device. Your health care provider must always decide your complete treatment and rehabilitation protocol. Complete circulation is stimulated only when joints are exercised through full ranges of motion (ROM’s). Complete circulation ensures maximum oxygen and nutrient supply to joint surfaces and tissues. Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise allows all 18 hand muscles to move through their full, natural, three-dimensional ROM’s. Does your hand exercise product resist through full, natural ROM’s? Does your hand exercise product allow your hand to fully open and fully close? Full ROM exercise (with appropriate resistance) helps keep joints performing well. Handmaster Plus ensures proper and complete hand and grip muscle exercise.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus help osteoporosis?

Please be clear, Handmaster Plus is an exercise device, not a medical device. Your health care provider must always decide your complete treatment and rehabilitation protocol.  The body absorbs and lays down bone most efficiently when challenged by complete resistance exercises. Handmaster Plus provides a hand exercise that resists the action of the 9 muscles that close the hand as well as the 9 muscles that open the hand, resulting in maximum strength, circulation and nerve stimulation. Does your hand exercise product allow your hand to fully open and fully close? Full ROM exercise (with appropriate resistance) helps keep bones performing well. Handmaster Plus ensures proper and complete hand and grip muscle exercise.

Q. Can the Handmaster Plus aid stroke recovery?

Please be clear, Handmaster Plus is an exercise device, not a medical device. Your health care provider must always decide your complete treatment and rehabilitation protocol. The Handmaster Plus exercise stimulates the 9 muscles that close the hand as well as the 9 muscles that open the hand resulting in maximum strength, circulation and nerve stimulation to the upper extremity (including median, radial & ulnar nerves).

Q. Why does the Handmaster Plus come in different strengths?

Handmaster Plus comes in soft strength, for general weakness and beginners; medium strength, for performance and fitness; and firm strength for advanced strengthening. Always consult a health care professional or trainer and read instructions before commencing use of any Handmaster Plus product. Always start with the soft strength Handmaster Plus (i.e., or medium strength, if recommended by your health care professional) and progress as necessary.