Grab It – Firmly - and Don’t Let Go:

GRIP STRENGTH – is one of the biggest, most direct indicators of overall health. In a past blog, I mentioned a correlation between the ability to do pushups – and overall health – but GRIP STRENGTH – is even more directly related and a key fitness indicator. Scores of studies validate that the better one’s grip strength, the better one’s overall health - and even, QUALITY OF LIFE – will be…

‘What? That is some hyperbole, Drill Sergeant Perez!’…

I appreciate the healthy skepticism (double entendre intended) – but here is some real news (a rarity, nowadays):  Grip strength correlates and can predict mortality risk, doing a better job at revealing possible issues than blood pressure.

Poor grip strength can point to possible Type 2 diabetes, and those with lower grip strength have a greater risk of depression.

Even when grip strength fails to predict a disease, it still influences quality of life. The rate of grip strength reduction in healthy people is an indicator for the progression of aging. A fast decrease in grip strength means faster aging. Slower or no decrease?  Means slower aging. Stronger people—as shown via grip strength—are better equipped to handle the demands of the world and to maintain independence into their older years (physical decline often leads to depression, which leads to more decline thru being sedentary, a vicious and sad cycle of decay caused by going gently into that Good Night. DON’T BE THAT GUY/GAL).

Here are exercises to maintain/increase grip strength. If you need details about form or how the movement should be SAFELY done - there is always YouTube. Or, a better resource? ME. Call or email me for a free workout and assessment:

1) Reverse curls 2) Hand Grippers 3) Weighted Wrist Roll Ups 4) Dead Lifts 5) Pull Ups and Chin Ups 6) Weighted Farmer’s Walks 7) Pinch Grips 8) Bar Hangs (not to be confused with chilling at a Pub, though if you’re going to do that, invite me!)                                                                                                             

That’s it! Go live a little!

Jorge Perez is a produced feature film, TV writer, and NYC playwright – a part-time underwear/swimwear model who is ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified, Muy Thai Kickboxing, TRX, Kettlebell, Older Adult Certified, and a Sports Performance/movement expert. He’s trained NBA players, Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers, ballerina Katie Moorhead, Fitness Models Bill Freda and Alysha Marko. He trains clients one-on-one, in small groups at different facilities in NoHo and North Hollywood Park, teaches a Men’s hip mobility class - designed to promote better physical intimacy with women - at local Yoga studios.

His Instagram handle is: BodiesofWorkPersonalTraining, and he can be reached at: BetterBodyofWork@gmail.com