Grip Strength

[deacon Mark]

Has anyone had their grip strength test by a physical therapist or doctor, some other way that is accurate. Today after my last hand therapy the therapist did a grip strength test. My left hand was 95 and my right hand was 90. I am right hand dominate but of course I play the guitar so that can account for difference. The therapist told me the average grip strength for a 63 year old male is between 67-105.. That I find interesting in that other than my nands I not very strong cannot hardly do but a few pushups.

I would be curious if others might had some numbers on any of this and what they got, My guess is someone like Freddie Green might has some serious grip strength.

[sgosnell]

I've never had that tested, nor even thought about it, but I don't think my grip strength is very high, even though I play a lot. It doesn't need to be - I can play single note solos on my guitars without having my thumb touch the neck, just using my fingers, because I have the action set very low with a straight neck. Once upon a time I had higher action and relief in the neck, and that required some grip strength, but I abandoned that setup long ago. I refuse to live with action much higher than a millimeter at the 12th fret. That's not everyone's preference, but it's mine. As I approach 80 at the speed of life, I try to make things as easy as practical.

[starjasmine]

Never had that test, but recall that Larry Carlton let me play his Valley Arts Strat at a NAMM show back in the 80s and the super-heavy strings with high action made it immediately apparent that he had a freakishly strong fretting hand...

[deacon Mark]

Never had that test, but recall that Larry Carlton let me play his Valley Arts Strat at a NAMM show back in the 80s and the super-heavy strings with high action made it immediately apparent that he had a freakishly strong fretting hand...

That surprises me that Larry did not have low action. His playing does not sound like he using high action that sometimes you can tell. But frankly I don't listen to Larry I just know the cuts he is famous for playing. I had the test because I had surgery on my left hand and 4th and 5th metacarpals were pinned and then removed. My hand basically has all back but just some swelling a little from scar tissue. That should go away or become less over time.

[starjasmine]

That surprises me that Larry did not have low action. His playing does not sound like he using high action that sometimes you can tell. But frankly I don't listen to Larry I just know the cuts he is famous for playing. I had the test because I had surgery on my left hand and 4th and 5th metacarpals were pinned and then removed. My hand basically has all back but just some swelling a little from scar tissue. That should go away or become less over time.

Higher action helps you bend strings (you can get your fingertip under the string a bit more), but his was REALLY high and the strings were like baling wire. I could barely play that guitar at all, much less like he does!

[Brian859]

They say grip strength is generally very important as you age to prevent injury by catching yourself when you fall too.

[pauln]

The therapist told me the average grip strength for a 63 year old male is between 67-105.

I see more these days people indicating a range as an average.

I'm older than you, but I like to do everything manually, no motor for garage door, no power tools, only switched from ancient helical blade push mower to engine and blade mower a few years back... and of course the Twin Reverbs; I have an absurd grip strength in both hands, but I play light on the guitar (and do like a high action).

Typical grip strength is two attempts of maximum for each hand. The higher of the pair for each hand are added together (kg). So "90" is like lifting 45kg or 100lbs one handed.



Normative for males - you can see that 91-99 is Very Good age 60-69.
Also notice that male grip strength kind of flat peaks ages 20-40 years.

[Brian859]

I see more these days people indicating a range as an average.

I'm older than you, but I like to do everything manually, no motor for garage door, no power tools, only switched from ancient helical blade push mower to engine and blade mower a few years back... and of course the Twin Reverbs; I have an absurd grip strength in both hands, but I play light on the guitar (and do like a high action).

Typical grip strength is two attempts of maximum for each hand. The higher of the pair for each hand are added together (kg). So "90" is like lifting 45kg or 100lbs one handed.



Normative for males - you can see that 91-99 is Very Good age 60-69.
Also notice that male grip strength kind of flat peaks ages 20-40 years.

I agree with everything you said. But its also important how you set up a test. I made a quick video. The weight is just under waist high. Where I grip the bar has knurling. Either side of that is smooth chrome. That would make it much more difficult. If you took a hundred pound dumbell with good knurling and had it just below waist high, I think everyone would be surprised how many older guys like us that play, could lift it, or something close. Well, you would probably want to work up to it lifting progressively heavier weight.