Hand exercisers come in three main forms. Therapy putty can be squeezed, pinched, stretched and twisted, so one tub works the whole hand and each finger. Hand exercise balls are a quick squeeze-and-release tool that is easy to keep by a chair or desk. Hand grips are a fixed handle you squeeze, with a set resistance in pounds. All three are color coded from light to heavy, and the brands use their own color scales, so a color on one product does not mean the same thing on another. Everything below is in our exercise and physical therapy collection, and the details come from the manufacturers' listings.
Hand exercisers at a glance
| Type | What it works | Good fit for | Examples we carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapy putty | Grip, pinch, finger spread and twisting | A full home hand program from a therapist | Squeeze 4 Strength Hand Therapy Putty, 2 oz to 5 lb |
| Hand exercise ball | Whole-hand squeeze | Simple daily grip work; can be warmed or cooled | TheraBand Hand Exercise Balls |
| Hand grips | Whole-hand squeeze at a set force | Tracking progress by pounds of resistance | CanDo Hand Exercise Grips |
| Hand dynamometer | Measures grip strength | Clinics and therapists recording progress | Baseline Electronic Smedley Hand Dynamometer |
Therapy putty colors
Squeeze 4 Strength putty comes in six resistance levels, from lightest to firmest:
| Resistance | Color | Sizes we carry |
|---|---|---|
| XX-Soft | Light beige | 2 oz |
| X-Soft | Yellow | 4 oz, 1 lb |
| Soft | Red | 2 oz, 6 oz |
| Medium-Soft | Dark beige | 5 lb |
| Medium | Green | Not listed online right now |
| Firm | Blue | 5 lb |
The manufacturer describes the putty as non-toxic, latex free, clean and non-oily. The small 2 to 6 oz tubs suit one person at home; the 5 lb tubs are mostly bought by clinics that portion it out.
TheraBand hand exercise balls
TheraBand's hand balls follow a color-coded resistance sequence and, according to TheraBand, can be warmed in the microwave or chilled for heat or cold use. We carry the yellow X-Soft, the blue Firm, and the black Extra Firm in extra large, which TheraBand rates at 17 lb of force at 50% compression and sizes for larger hands. Follow the package directions if you heat or cool one. For TheraBand's band colors, see our TheraBand colors and resistance levels guide.
CanDo hand grips
CanDo grips are sold in pairs with the resistance printed in pounds, which makes progress easy to track. The red Easy grips are 6 lb. CanDo's sequence runs from yellow for the lightest early-stage work up to black for advanced training.
How to pick a starting resistance
- Follow your therapist first. If an occupational or physical therapist gave you a color, buy that color.
- Otherwise start light. You should be able to do a full set of squeezes with good form and no pain. If you cannot, go down a level.
- Move up one level at a time when the current one feels easy for the whole set.
- Do not compare colors across brands. Yellow putty and a yellow ball are not the same resistance.
- Stop and check with a clinician if exercise causes pain, numbness or swelling.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, putty or a hand ball?
Putty is more versatile because you can pinch it, pull it apart with your fingers and roll it, not just squeeze it. A ball is quicker and less messy for a simple squeeze. Many people use both.
How do I keep putty from drying out?
Keep it in its closed container between uses and keep it off fabric and carpet.
What is a hand dynamometer for?
It measures grip strength in pounds or kilograms, so a clinic can record progress over time. The Baseline Electronic Smedley Hand Dynamometer reads up to 200 lb and has five grip-size settings.
For more home exercise, see our overdoor shoulder pulley exercises guide, or browse physical therapy and the full rehab and exercise range.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist about what is right for you.