One Test of Working Fitness

If your paycheck depends on physical strength, one simple test can tell you a lot: grip strength.

Researchers now view grip strength as a useful marker of overall health. Low grip strength has been linked to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.

You may notice warning signs before you ever measure it. Trouble opening jars, hand cramps after using tools, or a weaker hold on equipment can all point to declining grip strength.

For a more exact number, a hand dynamometer costs about $25 online.

Average healthy grip strength is roughly 72 pounds for men ages 20 to 40 and 44 pounds for women.

For workers who lift, carry, pull, climb, or handle tools all day, grip is more than hand strength. It is a quick snapshot of fitness at work.