Actor Park Ji-hoon recommends hand gripper to relieve stress

Park Ji--hoon / Captured from Esquire Korea's YouTube channel

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Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon recently revealed that one of the items he always carries with him is a hand gripper.

Appearing on the YouTube channel Esquire Korea, Park introduced several items he uses regularly. Showing his hand gripper, he said, “I've been carrying this around lately. When I'm bored, I squeeze it like a stress ball. It's a good workout.” He added, “I recommend it to people with weak wrists or those who need more exercise.”

Park first gained fame after placing second on the survival audition program "Produce 101 Season 2" and debuting as a member of K-pop boy band Wanna One. He recently drew attention for his portrayal of King Danjong in the film "The King's Warden."

A hand gripper is a simple device designed to develop grip strength and forearm muscles. Grip strength refers to the force generated when squeezing with the hand.

People with strong grip strength generally find it easier to carry heavy objects and perform activities such as pull-ups. Conversely, weak grip strength may increase the risk of falls because it can indicate reduced overall muscle strength. When muscle strength is low, the body is less able to absorb impact during a fall, increasing the likelihood of serious injuries such as fractures.

As a result, grip strength is often used as a general indicator of overall muscle mass and physical health.

The benefits of strong grip strength may extend beyond everyday convenience.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow analyzed data from more than three million people and found that individuals with low grip strength had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Grip strength has also been linked to diabetes risk. A research team led by Professor Choi Eun-young at Dankook University Hospital analyzed health data from 9,190 Korean adults and found that people with impaired fasting glucose had lower grip strength than those with normal blood sugar levels. The findings suggest that people with weak grip strength should pay particular attention to managing their blood sugar levels.

Weak grip strength has also been associated with dementia.

People can improve grip strength by regularly using a hand gripper. The exercise is simple: Repeatedly squeeze and release the device with one hand. It is important to avoid tensing the neck and shoulders while doing so.

Other effective exercises include dumbbell training, push-ups and squeezing or twisting a rubber ball with both hands.

For individuals whose grip strength is significantly below average, building overall body strength first through exercises such as planks and squats may be more beneficial before focusing specifically on grip training.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.