Finger Hand Wrist Forearm Strength Exercise for Guitar & Bass

[ctmgtr11]

I cut my left index finger (fretting hand) pretty badly near MPJ & between index and 2nd finger. Cut through 50% of the two flexor tendons and most of the inside nerve, lost feeling. I had surgery, prognoses is good. Swelling still 5 weeks after surgery. Trying lots of different things. Swelling, triggering, & scar tissue issues for me now. H.P. looks like an outstanding strengthening aid & guitar aid. Opinion request: would HM P. be a good match between these injuries and tool to help recover?

[doczac]

@ctmgtr11 :

Your case is why I developed Handmaster Plus as a rehab aid. HM+ resists ur hand muscles thru full ROM's (opening/closing), thus stimulates max blood flow (nutrients + O2 for healing) & muscle balance (stability). 2 key things you have to do: 1) get ur health care provider's okay for rehab exercise (you are stable enough for rehab) and 2) start with soft HM+ until you are ready for more resistance. Purchase a 3-pack (all strengths) search 'buy Handmaster Plus'

Best,

doczac

[DeanDude]

i just purchased it. hopefully i get improvements on guitar

[doczac]

@DeanDude :

We get regular testinmonials from guitar, drum and piano teachers re: Handmaster Plus training. You will find it to be the most comprehensive hand exercise available for hand, wrist and elbow strength, balance & performance. No hand muscles are missed. All are exercised in balance. Nothing else does this so conveniently.

Be sure to use Handmaster Plus for warm up and cool down as well for health maintanence.

Best,

doczac

[Lokosnches]

I'm from mexico city, where or how can I get a pair of these handmaster? and, how long should last every routine?

[doczac]

@Lokosnches : You can order online. Just search 'Handmaster Plus' in Google to find our website. You will see the BUY NOW button. The exercise should be performed 1-3 x per day each time until you feel a comfortable fatigue, this usually is felt at 30 seconds to one minute, not long.

Let me know if I can assist further.

Best,

doczac

[PinkyWontWork]

@doczac Right on, I bought mine from Musician's Friend. Thanks for the reply.

[doczac]

@PinkyWontWork

Thanks PWW... u'll have to search Handmaster Plus and contact info (YouTube does not allow me to send our website via comments). Please send us a picture of your Handmaster Plus finger cord at least (better to send us the cord via mail 1124 Fir Ave #114 Blaine, WA 98230) so that we are sure about the problem cause. Once we get your mailing address, we can send you some new cords.

Best,

doczac

[PinkyWontWork]

The best thing I found for hands is doing simple wrist curls with a dumbell, do 3 sets of 30-40 reps (forearm like calves have to be hit with high reps) both sides and then put a rubber band around your fingers and open and close them or use the ball here and do that exercise. The squeezing one is worthless after you do wrist curls. I do this 2-3 times a week. I was supposed to have surgery (guyon's canal syndrome) and many musicians told me not to..glad I listened.

[doczac]

@PinkyWontWork:

Interesting opinion... finger extensor muscles must be trained thru FULL ROM's in order to maximize stability. Elastic band is better than nothing but Handmaster Plus allows people to train finger extensors properly through full ROMs.

Best,

doczac

[madmoe70]

Great product, it's really made a big difference in only two months.

[Delvadar]

I got it 4 days ago.

It really does work!!! I really feel the change after a few days.

It really helps with the pain in my hand(cuz the guitar).

Thank you for making the product!!! much cheaper and much better than 99% of the other products:D

[doczac]

@Delvadar :

Thanks for the review!

[DaveShermanjr]

Hey Doc, I just received my Handmaster, but I have a question for you. Have you ever worked with a musician who was recovering from SLAC wrist ,especially after scaphoid excision and four corner fusion surgery. What was the outcome?

I am a professional musician and have scheduled surgery late Oct. 3 months in a cast and then my own PT. I know there is going to be a lot of atrophy in my left (fretting) arm from being a cast for so long. I am going to listen to my docs orders but any insight?

[madmoe70]

doczac, will the handmaster help with bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome?

[doczac]

@madmoe70

Handmaster Plus will definitely help with improving muscles balance & complete blood flow at the hand, wrist, forearm & elbow, key if you are developing cubital tunnel syndrome. Make sure you clear it with your health care professional first. Are you a musician? If so, what instrument, guitar? I ask because it is common problem when upper extremity is not trained properly. I wish we could get our simple message to all guitar players...

Best,

doczac

[madmoe70]

@doczac

Thanks for replying. Yes, I've been playing guitar for close to 28 years. I developed cubital tunnel syndrome more from typing that from guitar. I spoke with my doctor about using another product, to help strengthen my ring and pinkie finger and she told me it would be alright. I saw your video for the handmaster and thought it would be better for the finger strength, forearm and maybe to relieve my CTS discomfort. I look forward to trying it. Thank you.

[Gettinghitonattheban]

After playing bass, if your forearm feels as if it was punched, is that a bad sign?

[doczac]

@Gettinghitonattheban :

How long has this been happening? How long does it feel as if it has been punched? How long do you play for before feeling like this? Is it getting better or worse?

[maneli]

Hey Doc, I just purchased your 3 pack handmaster plus set. Being a professional musician who uses the right hand strumming in a extreme way at times banging on the acoustic guitar to get a percussive sound ( you can go to my YouTube Channel to see what I mean). Should I be icing the inflamed area before / after using the handmaster?

[doczac]

@maneli

Be careful not to exercise into pain. Do not ice pre-exercise. It is okay to ice preventatively post-exercise.

Excellent playing and guitar style. I wish guitarists such as yourself would have used Handmaster Plus from the start. So many needless injuries.Better late than never.

Let me know if I can help further.

Best,

doczac



[shilohhillfarm]

I'm experiencing pretty severe elbow pain. Based on symptoms, I believe it is Golfers Elbow - not tennis elbow. I do not experience pain moving my wrist up and down, but extreme pain twisting my wrist so palm is up and then up & down. Can you confirm these exercies are still valid and should I wait for pain to subside before exercising? Thanks.

[doczac]

@shilohhillfarm:

I suggest you contact an ART (search active release technique) or Graston Technique (search graston technique) practitioner or other soft tissue specialist in your area, as they deal with TE & GE regularly and can properly diagnosis and treat it. Handmaster Plus is super-effective in preventing and rehabbing TE & GE, but rehab must be approved by a licensed health care professional when a case is active, especially chronic.

Let me know if I can help further.

Best,

doczac

[excexe]

I have this product and it's great so far. I can really feel the muscles working from these exercises--especially from the exercise with the wrist extension. From this video, I take that the exercises should be done right before and after a guitar session. Is this correct? Also, should finger, wrist, and forearm stretching be done before and after as well? If so, should it be done after or before the ball exercises?

[doczac]

@excexe

Perform the exercises a 1-2 per day for training and balance. Perform before and after for blood flow/lactic acid management. Stretching can also be done before and efter the exercise.

Best,

doczac

[doczac]

@jesuspunk33

It is important for both, but most vital for the fretting hand.

[seckin12]

Hello doczac , I have trigger finger and there is an video on youtube called "Trigger finger exercises 1", in the video the instructor is using a glove which I think basically resisting your finger stretching. Do you think that this product is also doing the same think and help recovering my trigger finger?

[doczac]

@seckin12

Yes, the two product are functionally very similiar..we have many users that are recovering from and attempting to prevent trigger finger.

Best,

doczac

[seckin12]

@doczac Thanks for the answer. I am sure it is the case but just curious, how can a stretching exercise can heal an inflammation? I was expecting not to move your finger for some time or something like that but apparently it is opposite. Anyway, I will be grateful if you shortly explain it or give a reference. Also as a critic to Handmaster, I think it's finger holes are too small, at least for me. They are squeezing too much.

[doczac]

@seckin12

Firstly, an active trigger finger must be evaluated by a licensed health care professional. Soft tissue therapy or even minor surgery may be necessary. Handmaster Plus is used to prevent and rehabilitate. The main reason is full ROM hand exercise w/ resistance stimulates max blood flow & lymph drainage, function vital to proper repair of microtraumas. Not only do the flexor muscles get stretched, extensor muscles get strengthened creating better balance & support of flexor tendons.

[goth783]

hey, i don't have any wrist issues, but would like to increase the size of my wrists and forearms because they are way too skinny, and make me look weak. What do you recommend to achieve that? Is the handmaster good for that? or should i use weights and do wrist curls?

[mmhjerry99]

This little exercise tool has helped me tremendously. I strongly recommend it for anyone who has felt uncomfortable fatigue anywhere from the elbows to the fingertips after playing your instrument!

[saintpk]

hand muslces are easy to work out, keep your nails clipped, creates ability to have a firmer grip (without the nails holding you back) i noticed my knuckles and fingers got a little weaker when i didnt clip than for awhile, i clipped them and it strengthened back up within a month of doing normal every day things

[stevieVantanna]

These really work. I used on for 2 minutes and suddenly I was doing stuff I forgot that i once knew how to do. I still have golfer's elbow, but these things are much better that a Powerball or Gripmaster.

[mycahman]

most professional baseball players also do wrist curls. basicly like arm curls but instead of bending your elbows bend your wrists. turn your wrists different ways to excersize different muscles

[SillyHatVideos]

This is a great idea, I play bass, i'm very interested in this. I'm very new, so I want to develop muscles and skill properly, i'll have to look into this product

[LegendaryFolly]

Great

[LuisSlash]

I HAVE tennis elbow...i am ion terapys

[GreenAshR46]

There's nothing wrong with advertising your product, but if it's a commercial, it should say it's a commercial, and not pretend to be an instructional video.

[thimsmot]

Firstly, I might agree with you if we were paying for access to YouTube videos. But since we are not, you are just looking a gift horse in the mouth. So, quityerbitchen...

Secondly, this video IS instructional. I've been playing guitar for many years and learned more about the subject in the 6 minutes it took to watch it than in all my years of playing.

[ScorchinBeats]

What are the most important exercises to help increase the strength of my right (picking) hand. When I play fast licks my picking hand can't keep up haha.

[banglizette]

Hi Dr. Zachary,

Can't I build the same strength by doing wrist curls and reverse wrist curls? They are still working the fingers, wrists, and forearms.

Thanks for responding.

Take care

[zdlore1985]

Hi, I'm a guitarist and I play sports and use my hands continually through work, and I've developed tendonitis of the extensor muscles in both my forearms. The problem is not so bad where I can't perform activities. However, there is a consistent ache and a loss of strength and stamina especially while playing guitar. I'm interested in ordering the hand master plus. If I do get it should I begin using it or should I rest my hands as much as possible? Should I avoid activity or not?

[fingerboy18]

@zdlore1985 Your hands need a break sometimes. It's healthy to work your opposing muscles though.

[rubberting]

How long would you have to use these a day to see improvements in a fatigued left forearm (guitarist) .

thanks

[coulsonsam87]

Hi DocZakk, im a pro guitarist and i sometimes get pain in my forearm. after watching this video it seems clear that the problem is i dont have the same strength opening my hand as i do closing it. i think allot of the problem comes from my wide vibrato. do you think these excercises will benefit me?

[gryffin12345]

Hi, I get a lot of cramping in the joint between my hand and my thumb whenever I play power chords. Would this help?

[doczac]

Hi gryffin12345:

Regular balanced exercise using Handmater Plus accomplishes 3 things. First it strengthens all 18 finger muscles of the hand thru full ROM's. Second, it balances the flexor muscles with the extensor muscles, & third, it maximizes blood flow. All of these factors lend to lessening cramping & improving stamina for performance. I believe Handmaster Plus should be standard equipment for all guitarists. It would reduce so many needless injurie that we see regularly.

Best,

doczac

[gatbearer576]

couldn't I just use a rubberball, whats the difference between the 2?

[doczac]

Hi gatbearer576:

Squeezing a ball is the old way of thinking. Musicians continue to see hand, wrist and elbow injuries and performance problems because the muscles that open the hand (finger extensors and abductors) are not kept in proper tone. This leads to muscle imbalnce and extensor injuries. The video explains this well. Rubber balls only address the flexor muscles, not the extensor muscles. The result is muscle imbalnce & poor blood flow.

Best,

doczac

[myspacceer]

what kind of muscles are used in the right arm in bass guitar?

[doczac]

Hi myspacceer:

By right hand, I assume plucking/picking hand. The issue (in both hands) is similar to any guitar (finger flexors act & finger extensors stabilize) except it is accentuated as the wrist extensor muscles are overused also (wrists are flexed, not neutral ) - puts big demands on ALL muscles! We see more muscle imbalance & blood flow problems in bass players. Handmaster Plus design conveniently keeps you strong/balanced. Bass players use all 18 hand + wrist muscles.

Best,

doczac

[Shiiransama]

Would this product break easily? I've seen many reviews where the elastics would snap, would you provide a replacement?

[doczac]

Shiiransama:

Thanks for your q. We had a few less than adequate production runs from our previous manufacture who ended our relationship with. These cords received some bad press. We now control the material completely and use a thermoplastic elastomere material from USA. The cord quality is now excellent. We have replaced any cords that broke due to manufacturers defect. Our customers are most important to us!

Best,

doczac

[abdulsadiq]

hey terry, where can i find this product??

[doczac]

stover81291:

The extensor muscles are active stabilizing muscles (similar to the core muscles) for hand & wrist action in drumming. We see many thumb, finger and wrist extensor muscle injuries (tendinitis) in drummers. Handmaster Plus supplies natural full ROM resistances to all 18 muscles of the hand (including the 9 muscles that open the hand) and includes 3 specific exercises for building all hand and stabilizer muscles.

Best,

doczac

[stover81291]

hey im trying to strengthen and speed up my hands for drumming, wouldnt this be good to try? i see what ur talking about with the extender muscles cause i was just opening and closing my hand and i got a workout lol

[AreYouExxperienced]

i guess all these kind of products are great if u want to practice without having an accessible guitar as often as needed, but can u advocate using this product if that is not an issue?

i mean none of the greats used any of these products they simply trained on the guitar itself..?

just out of curiosity,

Thanks

[cryptblood1986]

I think this product is better than the wrist wand lukauskis mentioned because it can position the hand kinda how you would hold a guitar neck. However there's 1 thing I don't like about HM+, which is it doesn't have a straight line to guide the fingers to where to I press down hard like how you would press on strings. This is a good idea because it gives new players like myself finger strength & accuracy at the same time with out having to carry a guitar. Anyways I think I'll be getting HM+.

[doczac]

Hi cryptblood1986:

Thanks for your comment. We will take it into consideration. When we work with the GHS musicians, we ask them them to visualize playing while using Handmaster Plus, as there are no lines to guide. The key to Handmaster Plus workout is how effectively it trains AND balances all 18 hand muscles (9 close the hand, 9 open the hand), thus keeping the muscian fast & strong (for any music movement) & eliminating eventual repetition muscle imbalances that cause injury.

Best,

doczac

[ZELPHOR]

I'm just starting to play the guitar and was hoping to find something like this. Thanks for posting it.

[doczac]

Hi ZELPHOR:

Thx for your comment. You'll enjoy using Handmaster Plus! Train your muscles properly now. Use Handmaster Plus to warm up and cool down as well. It is super-easy and super-portable. No reason to limit performance or open yourself up to injury.

Good luck!

doczac

[JonahRo719]

Hi there. I'm a guitar player and am considering buying this product, but I was just wondering in what ways your product is superior to the gripmaster which isolates individual fingers? Thanks

[swanner]

How about a demo of what your exercise with the Handmaster has allowed you to do on the guitar?

[teknogas]

hey doc.. what if i dont have that thing you are using for exercise??

[EddieSixString]

Doctor,

I am recovering from tendinosis in my left wrist. The pain occurred on the pinky side of the hand, in the joint between the wrist bone and the hand. It did not respond well to physical therapy. It took over two years for it to "burn out" (my orthopedist's term, not mine) by itself. I am now playing again, but very carefully. I still feel slight soreness in that area after playing for longer than 30 minutes. Will this product address this particular area? Thank you!

[eaton1012]

interesting.

[Yancovic333]

hi dozac, im waiting on mine in the post, i recently injured/strained my pulley on my ring finger(fret hand) which brought on some tendinitis (too much playing gtr)

been about 2 months now and getting better buts its real slow progress.

i really really hope this product works - it makes sense to balance the extensors as the flexors are always over worked,

dozac do you think this will help??

btw i am able to play for about 40 mins no pain.

[817felon]

I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these. How many times a day do you use it? and How long until you really start seeing results?

I am learning to play bass unfortunately my hands are small and can't quite reach, will this build up flexibility and dexterity so I could possibly reach?

[JuIsTheLaw]

What's the recommended daily amount of time you can spend doing these exercises? I mean, say your doing them whilst watching a movie for about 1.5 hours, is that going to cramp up the hand real bad later?

[doczac]

Hi JuIsTheLaw:

Thanks for your q. Each exercise session requires that the user performs the exercise until a comfortable fatigue. For most people, this is 1 - 2 minutes, but remember we are all different. As a user trains & balances these 18 hand muscles, they will be able to perform the exercise longer to arrive to a comfortable fatigue. I prefer to see a user rest & repeat in your example of watching a movie (i.e. 2 - 3 uses throughout the movie rather than one long session).

Best,

doczac

[hagai86]

Hi I'm thinking of buying this product. I'm a drummer and I was wondering if you have any specific exercises for drummers? Thank you

[jschmeiler]

Does the gripmaster help with cubital tunnel syndrome? I belive that is what I have going on in my arm. Or will this aggravate the ulnar nerve? I haven't seen a orthopidic doctor yet( no insurance )any help would be great. Thanks

[latourchico]

Hey, Im just recovering from tendonitis and was wondering if your product could be helpful in keeping it from coming back.

[deadhead065]

so will that ball and that exerxices with the ball strengthen the upper part of your arm u were refering to?

[doczac]

Hi deadhead065:

Thx for your q. During our main Handmaster Plus exercises the muscles affecting the hand, wrist, forearm & elbow are isolated, toned & balanced. If the user keeps the elbow away from the body (not recommended unless by doctor/trainer), then the upper arm and shoulder are affected. FYI, there are better ways to train the upper arm (biceps/triceps) & shoulder. For elbow, wrist, hand, thumb/fingers, Handmaster Plus is #1 in completeness/convenience. Hope that helps.

Best,

doczac

[deadhead065]

thnaks, DO you think that ball will help for wrist tendonitis, I've had bad tendintis in my wrist for 2 years and havent been able to play much guitar at all bc of it. I've tried therapy and seen doctors and nothing has really helped. Has the ball been known to help heal that?

[wrldwar1691]

Hey doc, are using kineiology to figure this stuff out? It's a term I just learned and thought I'd ask

[fickle20]

Great Video Dr. I just was wondering if it would be good to get that ghs ball and use it even though I have tendonitis/carpal tunnal already?? or could that just make it worse? It feels like I have arthuritis in my fingers sometimes too . Im only 20 years old and play 3,1 & 1/2 hour sets usually a few times a month. It is bothering me with practicing and playing. Thanks

[doczac]

Strange comment, pmfwill... unfortunately I am on the treatment end of music injuries and stamina problems/cramping. If you opened up your mind a bit instead of looking to make strange comments, you might find a way to improve your knowledge & your playing.

Best,

doczac

[doczac]

Dear volcanovape420:

Thanks for your q. No, weights cannot do the same thing. If you saw the videos, you'll know 9 muscles close the hand & 9 muscles open the hand. Understand that weight training demands the hand to be closed (hold the weights) & is one of the main CAUSES of hand muscle imbalance. If you are a weight trainer, it is vital to train the 9 muscles that open the hand in order to maximize performance & prevent injury. Extensor muscles also support any grip action.

Best,

doczac

[volcanovape420]

wouldnt lift weights give you the same results?

[PVGroove]

masterbation gets a better effect its free and gives you pleasure

[doczac]

You appear to be a guitar player (hopefully not a songwriter, I've read more creative jokes!). We work with GHS Strings artists (brand partner in music). It is important for you to understand the importance of the hand muscle balance if you intend to play guitar. So many artists develop debilitating hand muscle imbalance (9 finger flexor muscles dominate 9 finger extensor muscles) which lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow, finger, thumb imbalance, and many common problems.

Best,

doczac

[PVGroove]

HEY, i have gave you 5 stars... just express my sick sense of humor, its hard to control

[doczac]

Hi PVGroove:

No problem, definitely get a few replies similar. Thanks fro your review and feedback...

Best,

doczac

[BuDzManson]

WEre do u order im interested but dont know were to get one.

[drunkchickenTV]

grat video doczac. loved it. and you play so well.