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Quick answer: For most adults over 50 who want to start gently, the Gripmaster-style finger exerciser is the easier entry point: it uses light spring tension on each finger and the lightest versions are listed at only a few pounds per finger. Captains of Crush grippers are a heavy-duty, one-hand squeeze tool. Even the lightest model, the Guide, is listed at about 60 lb of closing force, which is a lot for hands that are stiff or arthritic. If you have joint pain, swelling or numbness, check with a clinician or hand therapist before buying either.
How we wrote this: We compare published specifications and independent sources. We did not test these products ourselves.
Why people over 50 look at grip trainers
Grip strength tends to fall with age, and weaker grip is linked in large studies with poorer health outcomes (see our summary of grip strength and longevity). Many people also notice it in daily life: jars are harder, handles slip, and carrying shopping bags tires the hands sooner. A small, cheap trainer is an obvious fix, and two names come up again and again in searches: the Gripmaster and Captains of Crush.
They are very different tools, even though both are held in the hand and both are often called “grip trainers”. Choosing the wrong one is the most common mistake: a tool that is too hard to close, or too light to matter, usually ends up in a drawer. This guide explains how each works, what the published numbers say, and who each suits. For a wider look at the category, see our overview of the best grip strength trainers for seniors.
What each one is
Gripmaster
The Prohands Gripmaster is a spring-loaded hand and finger exerciser. Instead of squeezing a single handle, you press with each finger individually against its own spring-loaded button, so it works the fingers one at a time as well as together. Retailer listings describe it as a finger strengthener with several tension levels, colour-coded. Listings from major retailers such as Target and REI give tension in pounds per finger. On those listings the basic ladder runs roughly from 1.5 lb (XX-Light) and 3 lb (Extra Light) through 5 lb (Light, blue), 7 lb (Medium, red) and 9 lb (Heavy, black). A larger Gripmaster Pro line is listed up to 13 lb per finger. Retailers note that these figures can change, so check the packaging of the exact unit you buy.
Captains of Crush
Captains of Crush (made by IronMind) are a classic one-hand squeeze gripper: two knurled handles joined by a coil spring that you close with your whole hand. They are numbered by closing resistance. According to retailer product guides such as Rogue Fitness, the Guide is listed at about 60 lb, the Trainer at 100 lb and the No. 1 at 140 lb, with the line extending up to the No. 4 at 365 lb. They were designed for strength athletes. Rogue itself describes the 60 lb Guide as suitable for beginners, seniors or rehabilitation, but note that the figure refers to the force needed to close the handles, not a gentle training weight.
Side-by-side comparison of published facts
| Feature | Gripmaster (Prohands) | Captains of Crush |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spring-loaded finger exerciser, each finger pushes its own button | Two-handle coil-spring squeeze gripper |
| What it trains | Individual finger flexion plus overall hand | Whole-hand crushing grip |
| Published resistance | About 1.5 to 9 lb per finger on the standard line; Pro line listed up to 13 lb per finger | About 60 lb (Guide) up to 365 lb (No. 4) of closing force |
| Lightest option | XX-Light, about 1.5 lb per finger (not stocked everywhere) | Guide, about 60 lb |
| Colour-coded levels | Yes | Numbered models |
| Retailer description | Finger strengthener for hitting, throwing and fielding sports (Target listing) | Guide described as suited to beginners, seniors and rehabilitation (Rogue); heavier models for athletes |
One thing to keep in mind: the numbers are not directly comparable. The Gripmaster figure is per finger, while the Captains of Crush figure is the total force needed to close the handles. They describe different movements, so a “9” and a “60” do not mean one is seven times harder.
Who each option suits
Gripmaster may suit you if
- You are starting from a low baseline or returning after a layoff.
- You want to work the fingers separately, for example after typing, knitting, or gardening makes the fingers feel weak.
- You want to use something quietly while watching television or sitting at a desk.
- You want a graduated ladder, so you can step up one colour at a time.
Captains of Crush may suit you if
- You already have decent hand strength and no current hand pain.
- Your goal is a stronger squeezing grip for carrying, lifting or sport.
- You like a single, clear target (closing the gripper through the full range) and numbered progress.
- You are comfortable starting with the Guide, and treating it as a challenge rather than a casual device.
Downsides to know about
Gripmaster
- It does not train the same crushing movement as squeezing a handle, so it may carry over less to heavy carrying.
- The finger-by-finger action can aggravate sore finger joints if you press hard or repeat too many times.
- Level availability varies by retailer, so the lightest colours may be hard to find.
- Reviewer opinions on which level is “right” vary widely, and that is individual experience rather than guidance.
Captains of Crush
- Even the Guide may be too hard to close with stiff, weak or arthritic hands, and there is no lighter model in the line described by retailers.
- The knurled handles are made for a firm grip and can be uncomfortable on sensitive skin.
- One-hand heavy squeezing puts concentrated load on finger joints and tendons.
- Progression is in big steps (60, 100, 140 lb), which is a large jump for many beginners over 50.
Arthritis and safety: read this before you squeeze
Hand exercise is generally reasonable in hand osteoarthritis. A Cochrane review of exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand found the evidence for grip strength gains uncertain, and only a small number of studies reported on harms, so safety evidence is thin. The studies involved structured programmes, not these specific products. Practical points drawn from the sources we reviewed:
- If you have rheumatoid arthritis, or any hot, swollen, red or very painful joints, ask a rheumatologist or hand therapist before adding resistance.
- Stop if pain, swelling or warmth increases, or if you get numbness or tingling. Tingling in the thumb and first fingers may point to carpal tunnel syndrome; see our guide to carpal tunnel syndrome after 50.
- Do not train through sharp pain. Mild muscle effort is fine; joint pain is a signal to stop.
- Balance gripping with finger and wrist extension, since the muscles that open the hand also stabilise the grip.
- Sudden loss of hand strength, new stiffness, or a big gap between your two hands is worth a medical check rather than a gadget. Our article on sudden stiffness in your hands explains what to watch for.
How to start without overdoing it
- Pick the lightest option you can find. You should be able to complete ten smooth, pain-free repetitions with room to spare.
- Train two or three days a week, not daily, so tendons have time to adapt.
- Do one or two sets of eight to twelve repetitions per hand, with a short rest between sets.
- Move up only when the current level feels easy for two weeks.
- Track a simple number, such as repetitions completed, or measure with a hand dynamometer every month or so.
These are general habits, not a prescription. A physical or occupational therapist can set a programme that fits your hands.
Where to look
If you decide to try the finger-by-finger option, search results for a Gripmaster hand exerciser show the available tension levels; check the level printed on the listing before you order. If you want the heavy-duty squeeze tool, search for the Captains of Crush Guide gripper and make sure the listing names the Guide specifically, as the heavier models are sold alongside it. We have not confirmed which product pages are current, so the links lead to search results.
Our verdict
For a typical reader over 50 with no joint problems and a goal of simply getting stronger and more confident with everyday tasks, a light Gripmaster-style exerciser is the more forgiving start. A Captains of Crush Guide makes more sense once you have some base strength, or if you specifically want a crushing grip challenge. If hand pain, stiffness or numbness is the reason you are shopping, put the clinician visit first and the gadget second.
Sources used
- Target and REI retailer listings for Prohands Gripmaster tension levels (retailer figures; manufacturers can change labels).
- Rogue Fitness product guide for Captains of Crush Grippers (Guide, Trainer, No. 1 to No. 4 ratings).
- Cochrane review CD003832, Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Gripmaster or Captains of Crush better for seniors?
For most seniors, especially beginners, a light Gripmaster-style exerciser is more forgiving because its lowest listed tensions are only a few pounds per finger. The lightest Captains of Crush, the Guide, is listed at about 60 lb of closing force, which can be too hard for weak or arthritic hands.
How hard is the lightest Captains of Crush gripper?
Retailer product guides list the Guide at about 60 lb, the Trainer at 100 lb and the No. 1 at 140 lb. That is the force needed to close the handles with the whole hand, so it is not comparable to the per-finger numbers on a Gripmaster.
Can I use a grip trainer if I have arthritis?
Gentle hand exercise is often recommended for hand osteoarthritis, but the studies used structured programmes rather than these products. If you have rheumatoid arthritis or hot, swollen joints, ask a rheumatologist or hand therapist first, and stop if pain or swelling increases.
How often should I use a grip trainer?
A common approach is two or three non-consecutive days a week, with one or two sets of eight to twelve repetitions per hand. Move up a level only after the current one feels easy for a couple of weeks. This is general guidance, not a personal prescription.
Will a grip trainer fix weak hands or a dropped-object problem?
Not necessarily. Weak grip can come from muscle loss, but also from nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis or other conditions. If weakness is sudden, uneven between hands or comes with numbness, see a clinician before relying on a gadget.