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THE BIG QUESTION

How Important Is Grip Strength?

he metric that marks your ability to carry a fit-to-burst bag is becoming a marker for overall health. Studies on grip strength have associated a weak grip with a higher risk found a link between grip strength and mental health. In the seven-year study of more than 500,000 participants, those with low and medium grip strength (and cardiovascular fitness) were more likely to suffer depression and anxiety than those who scored highly. The authors say their findings are further proof of the value of strength training, alongside cardio, for better mental and physical health, and that a strong grip is a worthy goal. While moves like deadlifts and pull-ups are gold, simple hand exercises can help your muscles get stronger. Squeeze a tennis ball tightly for 15 seconds at a time. You can also test your grip strength with a grip dynamometer (though friends may tell you to, well, get a grip).