New hooking aids for improved exercise aim to grab clients’ attention
Active Hands, a company specialising in products for people with limited dexterity, has designed a new gripping product aimed at improving users’ workouts.
‘Hook Aids’ are designed to enable a user to independently grab and release a closed ended bar to perform exercises such as chin ups as well as allow use of some previously inaccessible types of gym machines, such as lateral pull-down machines, seated rowing and hand crank machines. The aids will also work to grip the handlebars on many types of hand bikes.
Available in standard and large sizes, the design incorporates a strong stainless-steel double, which provides stability when under tension. It also mimics a “real grip” feel when in use, with a clever adjustable wrist strap. Active Hands had to invent and manufacture a unique new hook design specifically for the Hook Aids.
The metal hooks have a thin v-shaped section as part of their design with an elastic loop attached. This innovative elastic loop is placed around a finger and prevents the hook from flopping down under its own weight when grabbing a bar overhead or when a client’s arms are forward. According to Active Hands, this makes the Hook Aids more versatile than existing hook devices, which only perform well when lifting upwards from the ground.
In addition, the Hook Aids are adjustable and can be personalised to suit the user. The position of the hook is adjustable to suit hand size, positioning of item gripped and personal preference. It comes with four silicon tubes, for optional use, to increase grip on an object.
The Hook Aid can be used without these and this may be the preferred way when gripping some items such as rubberised, foam covered or padded bars.
Rob Smith, Director of Active Hands, said: “As a regular user of the products we manufacture at Active Hands, I am always on the look out for the times there is an item I struggle to use or cannot access due to my limited hand function. I have been using our Gym Pack Deluxe range of products for my workouts for many years and they have really helped me train for wheelchair racing.
“However, when doing workouts, I have always struggled to grip closed ended bars with both hands without needing assistance. The hook aids have a uniquely designed hook with elastic retainer system allowing the user to reach and grab overhead with both hands and also release fully independently.
“They have really expanded my gym workout options which has given me a great boost mentally as well as physically.”
To find out more about the Hook Aids, people are urged to visit Active Hands’ website or email info@activehands.com.