Grip Strength – A Simple Test with Serious Longevity Insight
Another element to strength and longevity that really is in your hands, is Grip Strength.
Grip strength isn’t just about having firm handshakes – it’s a powerful marker of overall health and longevity. Research consistently shows that weaker grip strength is strongly associated with higher mortality risk, even when accounting for age, activity level, and other health factors.
The interesting results of various studies if you want to know a bit more about it –
- A 2019 pooled analysis found that higher grip strength corresponded with a 31% lower mortality risk.
- Another study highlighted that every 5 kg drop in grip strength is linked to a 16% increase in all-cause mortality and a 21% rise in cardiovascular mortality.
- A more recent meta-analysis covering over 3 million participants found a non-linear inverse relationship: the weakest 20% had significantly elevated risk of death.
- Even simpler, a June 2025 study noted those with weaker grip strength faced a 45% higher risk of dying during the study period.
As Dr. Peter Attia, a longevity expert, observes that incorporating grip-focused exercises like the dead hang and farmer’s walk helps preserve strength and functional health as we age.
Why It Matters
- Predicts Overall Health: Grip strength outperforms some traditional markers in assessing underlying health status and risk, including cardiovascular and neurological decline.
- Functional Independence: Weak grip impairs everyday tasks—like gripping utensils, opening jars, or carrying groceries—raising disability and frailty risks.
- Bone and Cognitive Health: Higher grip strength correlates with improved bone density, reduced fracture risk, and even better cognitive function.
At Astral Fitness, we recommend combining structured grip-strength training with fortnightly or monthly massage to ensure clients build lasting hand strength, for better function, independence, and longevity. Who doesn’t want all that…? Book online at www.astralfitness.co.uk/bookings/
Thank you for reading this weeks blog, Grip Strength – A Simple Test with Serious Longevity Insight.
See you soon,
Chloe and Jen