On 05/27 12:25 , Richard Barnes wrote: > I'm wary of the previous suggestion to get a grip-strengthening device. > You do not need bulk-strength to avoid these problems, you need > endurance-strength. That is, training to squeeze a hundred pounds of > force 5 times isn't going to help. Being able to consistently squeeze > at, say, 20-30 pounds might. The 100# model was the lightest one that Ironmind made at the time. There are lighter ones now. I am not a terribly strong person (at least I don't think so); but I've not found the 100# to be exceedingly difficult to 'close'. (Note that the 100# is measured when the grips touch; if you don't get the grips to touch it's nowhere near as heavy, and if you grip lower it'll be easier). Also, in practice I did perhaps 40 repetitions with each hand. 60 on some days. I had an hour to do them while I drove to work. I've found that the prophylactic effect doesn't require that many repetitions; only a few. Keep in mind that the way to use these devices is to squeeze hard and hold for 15-20 seconds; which builds endurance. Repeated quick squeezes won't help as much and will tend to wear the device out faster. I am not a fitness expert; YMMV. Free weight exercises don't fit well into driving places in the car; but I understand they have a similar effect. -- Carl Soderstrom Systems Administrator Real-Time Enterprises www.real-time.com