Are there any exercises to strengthen the pinky?

[Mon]

My pinky is the weakest out of all my fingers and I have trouble using my pinky in a lot of things because it is weak. Its like my thumb, pointer, index, and ring finger does all the holding when gripping and work when playing an instrument or whatever. I need to strengthen it, use it, and get it to function right. I have done a search at google with jpfitness to see if there is anything talked about the pinky, and there is not any posts. I did not want to make a new thread, but I had to in order to get my question answered. The internet search engines I also have trouble finding what I am trying to look for to help strengthen and get the pinky to function more. I do not even type with my pinky finger. I want to, but most of the time (I type fast) it types the wrong key or does not register even though I thought I pressed the key. When I go slower and focus on my pinky, its fine. When I don't focus on it, the pinky is not used at all. I have been using my 4 fingers for as long as I could remember in everything that has to do with weight holding or gripping. When I play Softball, my pinky does no work either. I also have hard times fitting the pinky in my glove correctly and I have to have a glove without any ties (cannot find a glove that is comfortable with ties because of my pinky) because it makes my pinky feel all stretched and starts aching.

Anyone know how I can strengthen my pinky and start getting it involved and function well like the other 4 fingers? I know I am not the only one that has a weak pinky and possibly this problem. I also bet that there are some of you that do not even think about your pinky. I know that the pinky is apart of my hand for a reason just like my other 4 fingers are. I want all my fingers to be able to work together.

My dad told me something like getting a very light weight or object and do curls with the pinky and such. I don't know if that is actually good or can be harmful to the pinky. I want your opinions first before I start doing any pinky training. I don't want to hurt this poor finger trying to do something without even asking anyone and getting opinions on it first.

[Jean-Paul]

Sounds like permanent damage to the ulnar nerve... That sucker's gotta come off!

[Alcoholiday]

i don't know what the deal is. If it's nerve damage like JP said, then i can't help you. If it's just a muscle weakness, but i don't think it is if your pinky doesn't function normally, i would get something where you can alter your grip so you involve your pinky more. Eagle Loops from ironmind are great for isolating certain fingers on lifts like pullups, or grip specific work.

[spankdat]

Geez JP, get offa the dang computer and go to bed, you gots to get up for work early, doncha?

[Hunter]

I can't wait until the day I'm in such good shape that I'll be concerned about performance issues caused by the pinky....





This is a joke, right?

[p4poetic]

This may sound stupid, but aren't all people's pinky finger weak?

[Aoife]

Except Otto's. He can perform amazing feats with his pinky. It is a mutant pinky. Legendary pianists WISH they could have even half the abilities of his pinky. His pinky is totally awsum. His pinky is ultra flexible and very, very strong. You mere mortals with normal pinkies have NO idea the kinds of things he can do.


(and no, I'm not being durty.)

[Flashy]

Originally Posted by Hunter

I can't wait until the day I'm in such good shape that I'll be concerned about performance issues caused by the pinky....





This is a joke, right?

Welcome to Mon's world.

[missjane]

No disrespect to the OP, but this is the funniest question I think I've ever seen posted in here!

[MAXX]

Originally Posted by missjane

No disrespect to the OP, but this is the funniest question I think I've ever seen posted in here!

You've obviously never seen her posts about pooping.......

Sorry, I just could not help myself.

[jsm27]

Originally Posted by missjane

No disrespect to the OP, but this is the funniest question I think I've ever seen posted in here!

Just wait. It the posts will get better.

[Mon]

Originally Posted by Alcoholiday

i don't know what the deal is. If it's nerve damage like JP said, then i can't help you. If it's just a muscle weakness, but i don't think it is if your pinky doesn't function normally, i would get something where you can alter your grip so you involve your pinky more. Eagle Loops from ironmind are great for isolating certain fingers on lifts like pullups, or grip specific work.

It's a muscle weakness. Not functioning properly is usually when I have to try and grip with it (weight). My pinky's are fine when there is no weight or something really light.

[Mon]

Originally Posted by p4poetic

This may sound stupid, but aren't all people's pinky finger weak?

My dad's is not. There is something he can lift up with his pinky that my pinky does not have the strength for.

and no this is not a joke. The pinky should be strong like any other finger.

[Chrisatc]

Originally Posted by jsm27

Just wait. It the posts will get better.

No they won't

[Flashy]

I lknow I promised to not respond to these posts and threads but I really feel like some awareness is needed before y'all start the enabling.

More from the hypochondriac:

Knee Clicking sound - SoftballFans.com
Wrist/Forearms Training and Injury Prevention of lateral epicondylitis - SoftballFans.com
Being Nervous and worrying - SoftballFans.com
anyone with troubled hearing? - SoftballFans.com
Can being on the computer too much mess up your vision? any research? - SoftballFans.com

[Chrisatc]

Thats awesome.

[russ]

Frequent nose picking using the pinky should do the trick.

[Frank.S]

Pinky DB curls
Weighted pinky walks
Pinky Extensions

Make sure you keep your nail nice and trimmed to to avoid moving excess weight. Do this for a few weeks and your problems may be gone.

[Mon]

I pick my nails (habit), so I don't have to worry about them ever going long. I always say to myself "I will stop picking my nails and let them grow", but it doesn't happen.

BTW thank you for the exercises Frank.=) I can also get small kids softball gloves and practice opening and closing with my pinky as well. I want it more for softball and general things than anything else.