Grip Strength Tester: How to Choose & Test (2026)

A grip strength tester (usually a handgrip dynamometer) measures the force of your best squeeze.

Many dynamometers report grip force in kilogram-force (kgf) or pound-force (lbf). Some devices label these on-screen as “kg”/“lb” as shorthand—so if you’re unsure, confirm the units in the device manual/spec sheet. (NIST lists kilogram-force and pound-force as force units in its conversion factors tables: NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.9.)

So the number you see is a force reading, not the amount of bodyweight mass you’re holding.

To pick a grip strength tester, prioritize:

• Repeatability: consistent readings, plus the ability to standardize your setup
• Capacity: enough range so you don’t max out the device
• Handle settings: adjustable—and easy to record so you can retest the same way

To test consistently: use a standardized posture (commonly seated with elbow at ~90°) and take 3 hard squeezes per hand, logging your setup and scoring method.

A grip dynamometer seems simple: squeeze, read a number, done.

In reality, small changes in setup can change your reading. Standard operating procedures stress consistent posture, handle setting, and trial structure so results are comparable over time.

Note: You’ll also see the spelling “hand grip dynamometer.” It generally refers to the same device.

Quick picks: what to buy (and why)

Disclosure: Product examples are not sponsored, not endorsed by BodySpec, and not based on hands-on testing of every model. They’re included based on publicly listed specs and common use-cases (clinic workflow, max capacity, basic at-home tracking).

• Good clinic pick (classic dial style): The Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer is a common clinic-style choice with a dial readout and a typical 0–200 lbf (≈0–90 kgf) range.
• Good budget home pick: The Camry EH101 is a widely available low-cost option (example listing: Camry Scale Store).
• Good pick for very strong users: The Handexer digital dynamometer offers a higher max capacity (265 lbf / 120 kgf) than common 90 kgf devices.

When you’re ready to compare details, scroll down to the comparison chart section.

Where to buy (and how to avoid junk listings)

• Medical suppliers: best when you need calibration paperwork, consistent sourcing, and support.
• Major retailers/marketplaces: often cheaper, but double-check returns, warranty, and whether the seller is reputable.
• Reputable category pages to browse include Amazon’s hand grip dynamometer results and Walmart’s dynamometer listings.
• Before you check out, verify: stated range (don’t max out), clear kg/lb units, return policy (some hygiene/medical items are non-returnable), and warranty terms.

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Why grip strength is more than a “forearm number”

Grip strength is often treated as a quick snapshot of overall strength and function.

• A foundational, landmark large multicountry cohort, the PURE study (2015) (142,861 adults), found lower grip strength was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.
• More recent pooled evidence supports the same overall pattern, including a dose–response meta-analysis (2022) (48 prospective cohorts; >3 million participants; search through Feb 2022).
• A “grip strength as a vital sign” review (2023) summarizes broader evidence linking low grip strength with morbidity and mortality.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Grip strength is used in clinical screening and research, but a low score is not a diagnosis. If you’re worried about unexpectedly low strength, pain, numbness/tingling, or a rapid decline, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.

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How to choose a grip strength tester (what actually matters)

1) Accuracy and repeatability (more important than “features”)

If your device reads slightly high or low, you can still track progress—as long as it’s consistent. What breaks usefulness is inconsistent testing or a device that drifts.

In clinical contexts, professional guidance emphasizes standardized, reproducible assessment. This improves comparability across visits and helps ensure you’re measuring real change instead of a different setup (see the American Society of Hand Therapists’ overview of its Clinical Assessment Recommendations).

In practice, that usually means standardizing:

• Positioning (same posture + joint angles)
• Handle setting
• Trial count and scoring rule (e.g., max-of-3 vs average-of-3)

2) Capacity

If you train hard (climbing, CrossFit, heavy pulling), choose a tester with enough headroom so you don’t hit the upper limit. A common clinic-style range is 0–200 lbf (≈0–90 kgf).

3) Handle adjustment (and logging it)

Handle position changes leverage and can change the number. Whatever you pick:

• Use the same handle setting every test.
• Write the setting down in your log.

4) Data capture (especially for clinics)

If you’re testing lots of people, transcription becomes the bottleneck.

• Manual logging: fine for home, slower for clinics.
• On-device memory: helpful for families or small groups.
• App/software workflows: best when you need graphs, exports, or research-ready files.

If you want a deeper device roundup, see our guide to the best options for clinics vs. home use.

5) Buyer checklist: the “confidence signals” that matter

When you’re comparing products, look for:

• Warranty + returns: policies vary widely. (Some devices are treated as hygiene/medical products and may be non-returnable.)
• Calibration proof or service options (clinic use): as one example, this JLW Instruments Jamar listing mentions an ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration certificate.
  • ISO/IEC 17025: an international competence standard for testing and calibration labs (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 overview).
  • “Traceable to NIST”: usually means there’s a documented calibration chain back to known standards—useful for quality control.
• Clear unit reporting (kgf/lbf): avoid “scores” that can’t be compared to norms.
• FDA terms: the FDA warns that “FDA registered/certified” marketing can be misleading and does not mean a device is FDA approved/cleared/authorized (FDA).
• CE terms: the EU explains CE marking is a manufacturer’s responsibility to show conformity with applicable EU requirements and maintain technical documentation (EU).

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Comparison chart: popular grip strength testers (listed specs + typical price tier)

Below are manufacturer- or retailer-listed specs. Prices shift constantly, so treat these as rough tiers—not a quote.

Table note: Many grip dynamometers display force as “kg/lb,” but they’re typically reporting kgf/lbf (force), not body mass. When in doubt, verify in the manual/spec sheet.

Units note: Some sensors report force in newtons (N), the SI unit of force. NIST’s conversion tables include pound-force ↔ newton conversion factors (NIST Appendix B.9).

*Typical price tier reflects the examples on the linked pages; always check current pricing.

Need documentation for the Camry EH101? Camry lists EH101 manuals on its manuals/downloads page.

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The step-by-step grip strength testing protocol (repeatable)

If you only take one thing from this guide: standardize your setup. Your protocol is what makes your numbers comparable.

Setup (body position)

A widely used standardized position includes:

• Seated, using a chair with a backrest
• Shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated (arm close to your side, shoulder relaxed—not shrugged or flared out)
• Elbow flexed at 90°
• Forearm neutral
• Wrist near neutral (often described as slight extension)
• Arm not supported
• Dynamometer held vertically and aligned with the forearm

This positioning is described in the COSA hand grip strength guide (PDF).

Procedure (trials and scoring)

1. Pick a consistent order (right then left, or left then right).
2. Set the handle position and write it down.
3. Do 1–2 practice squeezes.
4. Do 3 maximal squeezes per hand, alternating sides.
5. Keep the squeeze short (commonly ~3 seconds in standardized protocols).
6. Score it (pick one method and keep it consistent):
   • Max of 3 per hand
   • Average of 3 per hand

For another example of a standardized testing script and quality checks, see the NIHR Southampton BRC’s grip-strength SOP extract (PDF).

It outlines trial structure and includes device checks/calibration guidance.

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Common errors that make your results unreliable

1. Changing posture (standing one month, seated the next)
2. Bracing your arm on your thigh/chair armrest
3. Changing handle position (or forgetting what it was)
4. Rushing rest periods and fatiguing early
5. Switching devices and expecting identical numbers

Consistency beats perfection.

If you’re trying to improve your number (not just measure it), start with our grip strength exercises guide.

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How to interpret your grip strength result (without overreacting)

Step 1: Use age/sex norms and percentiles

Grip norms vary by device and protocol, so percentiles are usually more helpful than a single “good/bad” cutoff (a key reason clinical resources emphasize matching your method to the norms you’re using, like the SRALab grip strength overview).

Helpful resources include:

• NIH Toolbox grip strength reference values (2018)
• The NHANES 2013 grip-strength protocol manual (methods + reference tables) (CDC PDF)
• Percentile-style calculator and easy-to-scan tables via Topend Sports and its norms table

For a simpler “what’s average?” walkthrough (plus improvement ideas), see Average grip strength by age.

Step 2: Understand “low strength” cutoffs (they vary)

Some clinical pathways use handgrip cutoffs to flag low muscle strength.

• The EWGSOP2 sarcopenia consensus (2019) includes commonly cited thresholds of <27 kg (men) and <16 kg (women) for low grip strength. In dynamometer terms, these “kg” values are grip-force readings (kgf) that many devices simply display as “kg”—they’re not bodyweight.

Important context:

• These cutoffs are designed for clinical screening pathways—not for ranking athletic performance.
• Cutoffs can vary by guideline, country, and population. For example, a German population cutoffs comparison study (2023) proposed 29 kg (men) and 18 kg (women) —again, reported in “kg” as a grip-force reading (kgf) in dynamometry.

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A simple tracking template (home or clinic)

Use these as spreadsheet columns (or an electronic health record form in a clinic):

• Date/time
• Device model
• Handle position
• Body position (seated/standing)
• Right trial 1 / 2 / 3
• Left trial 1 / 2 / 3
• Right max or mean (device may display kg/lb but is typically reporting kgf/lbf)
• Left max or mean (device may display kg/lb but is typically reporting kgf/lbf)
• Notes: pain (Y/N), recent heavy pulling workout (Y/N)

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Clinic workflow: faster testing + cleaner documentation

Standardization checklist

To make longitudinal data meaningful, standardize:

• chair height / setup
• elbow angle (90°)
• wrist position
• handle position
• number of trials and scoring method
• rest interval strategy
• the specific device used

Calibration log (practical minimum)

Track:

• device model + serial number
• last calibration date
• next calibration due date
• drops/repairs

The NIHR Southampton BRC SOP extract notes calibration frequency can vary by protocol and circumstances.

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Home workflow: how often should you retest?

A practical cadence:

• Monthly if you’re strength training and want trend data
• Every 2–4 weeks if you’re doing focused grip training or rehab-style work (ideally with clinician guidance)

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How BodySpec fits in: grip strength tells you “output,” but not “why”

A grip strength tester measures performance (force). But your grip number is influenced by multiple factors—including overall training status and the muscle mass that produces force.

A DXA scan (often spelled DEXA) quantifies fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content and provides regional lean mass data that can complement performance metrics like grip strength (see our DXA scan guide).

If you’re using strength metrics as part of a bigger health or recomposition plan, you can book a DXA scan with BodySpec for a precise baseline and follow-ups.

If you want the “big picture” on measurement accuracy across methods, start with Most Accurate Body Composition Test: Methods Ranked.

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FAQs

Is a grip strength tester the same thing as a dynamometer?

Usually, yes: a “grip strength tester” typically refers to a handgrip dynamometer.

Should I record my best trial or the average?

Either can work—just be consistent. Many SOPs use the max of 3, while some rehab-style measurement summaries use the average of 3.

Can grip strength improve at any age?

Yes—training can improve grip strength across ages, and grip strength is also discussed as a modifiable marker in longevity-focused coverage like BBC Future’s piece on grip strength and longevity.

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Next steps

1. Pick a grip strength tester that matches your use case (clinic accuracy vs home convenience).
2. Standardize your testing protocol and log your setup.
3. Track your trend monthly—and interpret it with age/sex percentiles.

Related BodySpec guides:

• Best grip strength tester for clinic & home use
• Average grip strength by age: testing and improvement guide
• Grip strength exercises: beginner to advanced guide