• Perform hand exercises to increase strength and mobility.hands in hands against sky, friendship concept image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
  
  If you are concerned about hand weakness, or ir a condition such as arthritis has robbed your hands of their strength and mobility, there may be something you can do. There are a number of exercises that will assist you in regaining the strength in your hands or building power in your grip while improving movement in the joints. The exercises can be done almost anywhere.
  
  

Squeezes

• One of the simplest exercises you can do to increase strength and mobility in the hands is to squeeze something, according to Healthline.com. Use a rubber or foam ball tucked into the palm of each hand and squeeze the ball as hard as possible. Make sure each finger and thumb applies equal pressure on the item being squeezed. Once the muscles have gained some strength it may be possible to work the hand more intensely using a wire-hinged device designed specifically for squeezing exercises.
  
  

Rubber Band Stretch

• Using the opposite force on the fingers will also increase strength and mobility in the hands. Wrap one or more thick rubber bands around the ends of the finger; the fingers should be held close together or touching. Spread the fingers out so that the band resists the movement, according to Healthline.com.
  
  

Wrist Flexion

• The muscles in the wrist are an important factor in hand mobility and strength. You can make your wrists stronger by including a wrist exercise to your routine about three times per week as long as it does not cause pain to your wrist or hands. Hold a light weight in your hand and rest your forearm on a padded chair or bench with your palm facing up and gripping the weight. Bend the wrist so that the weight lowers as far as possible and then pull the weight up using the wrist. Complete three sets of 10 repetitions and then flip the arm over so the palm of the hand faces down. Lower the weight and pull it back up with your wrist muscles for three more sets. Switch sides and repeat the routine.
  
  

Mobility Moves

• These simple mobility exercises will improve the ability to move the hands and fingers in a variety of ways. Place your hand on a flat surface and then raise and lower all of the fingers one at a time. On the same flat surface, place all of the fingers and thumb together and spread the fingers out as far as possible and then bring them back together.
  
  Make an "O" shape by touching your thumb to the tip of each finger on the hand one at a time. Hold your hand up in the air and bring your thumb across your palm until it touches or gets as close as possible to the base of the pinky finger. Extend the thumb and then pull all of the fingers down tightly, bending them at the second knuckle while keeping the first knuckle straight, then raise the fingers back to a straight position. Repeating these moves over and over again will improve mobility in the hands.