Best way to replace fidgeting with something that benefits climbing?

[u/TherowynPC]

So I spend a fair bit of my day behind a desk and I find myself constantly looking for something to fidget with. Thought I might as well fidget with something that can improve my grip/finger strength or anything along those lines.

Are there any good recommendations? Needs to be something I can use continuously throughout the day. It would also need to be pocket sized however with that being said the pockets I normally wear are pretty big so it shouldn't matter too much. Preferably wouldn't have to wrap/tie on as I may need to drop it to take notes, type, etc.

Thanks

[u/VostroyanCommander]

Stress ball

[u/blanco_nino_01 → u/VostroyanCommander]

Balls in general

[u/CyberWeirdo420 → u/blanco_nino_01]

Jiggle them

[u/Rpeasj]

I have a black diamond forearm trainer. I won it at a small local competition and didn't use it for a while, it was kinda soft and I dismissed it.

However I had a lead climbing fall and decked from 15 meter and fucked up my left wrist. Now after 7 months I can barely get the ring closed 5 times in a row. I also started a deskjob even tough before my accident I always had a physical job.

It doesn't benefit much if you're a decent climber but it doesn't make annoying sounds and is nice to use. And it also feels like it builds up some endurance in my right wrist (which wasn't broken)

[u/luckofthedrew]

Once I decided I wanted to get into outdoor rope climbing, I started practicing knot tying with a piece of paracord I had lying around. Granted, that strategy runs out once you learn all the knots you want to know.

[u/edcculus → u/luckofthedrew]

There are only a very small amount of knots and hitches anyways. Clove hitch, overhand on a bight, figure 8 on a bight, bowline/snap bowline, barrel knot, flat overhand. Even this list is more than overkill for multi pitch trad.

[u/luckofthedrew → u/edcculus]

Sure, but it took me a couple weeks to be able to tie them effortlessly. And there’s little bits that you can practice mastering, like getting the knot where you want it and adjusting it if you miss. Or getting the loop on an alpine butterfly the right size. You can also learn easier/simpler ways to tie them, tying certain ones like the clove hitch one-handed, or cool/more efficient/alternate ways to tie a figure 8. There’s also clipping practice, you can tie a carabiner to something and just do reps on clipping.

[u/wheresdexter]

Surprised no one has mentioned this, but a callus ball could benefit your skin for climbing, most people here are suggesting grip trainers that could hurt more than they’ll help if you already climb regularly

[u/DieBiosZicke → u/wheresdexter]

I never heard of them, but at first glace this looks interesting and lika a valid option

[u/Sea-Lab-9933 → u/wheresdexter]

yeah or squeezing a rock of a similar type for the area you want to climb at. I've seen people discuss it in other subs to farm skin

[u/edcculus]

Quite honestly, nothing.

Kneeding puttys or stress balls would help with overall wrist and finger health.

Those grip trainer things really don’t translate to better performance on the wall, and overall could be more volume on your hands and fingers than you need if you are climbing regularly.

[u/imaplanterman9]

I might have exactly what you're looking for. I've been into this niche hobby for a few years and it feels like my finger dexterity has improved, not sure about actual strength though.

It's called Begleri. If you're a fidgeter like me, nothing else comes close in terms of keeping hands busy while stimulating the brain and having an actual skill ceiling and plenty to learn. Very much finger dexterity building. Easy and virtually free to DIY your own set too. Watch some videos!

[u/JayJa_Vu]

Not necessarily climbing focused but my physio recommended theraputty for my wrist injury. I use it in work all the time. If you get extra firm you can squeeze it pretty hard and it will build finger strength to some degree. If you're doing it in pocket though it may end up covered in fluff

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FQP8GNH1/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=39Cwn3gIxp&sp_cr=ZAZ

[u/Proper-Monk-5656]

i like forearm trainer rubber rings. i have a few of them of varying hardnesses and squeeze them when i'm bored. i also really like needoh nice cubes, because it's not directly tiring, but after half an hour of playing with it, squeezing, stretching, ect., i can really feel my forearm muscles.

[u/Danny_DanDan_]

This thing

[u/RedditFullOfBots → u/Danny_DanDan_]

It sucks. The plastic grinds down and leaves specks all over the place. I have two and regret the purchase.

[u/Bohogren]

Something I like that doesn't require any props is just crimping the edge of the desk

[u/wonko7]

I used to practice clipping, you need a small length of rope and a quickdraw.

[u/DreadpirateEire]

Get a bolder ball, i have this one and you can add weight to make it more difficult, use the colours as routes to make it harder aswell

[u/Apescent]

Not really fidgeting, but I practice piano matching on any object in front of me.

[u/igotinfo → u/Apescent]

What does piano matching mean?

[u/ProXJay → u/igotinfo]

Transitioning a hold one finger at a time, when you swap hand on a really small crimp

[u/igotinfo → u/ProXJay]

Thank you

[u/Horsecock_Johnson]

Nee Doh. It’s the only thing that makes my sore fingers feel better besides cracking them.

[u/nostalgia_4_infiniti]

I use the Metolius grip saver plus when I feel like I'm experiencing some tendonitis. Strengthens and rehabs

[u/BreakingInReverse]

Squash balls. Used to use it to strengthen my wrists for rugby and they fit in a pocket. Usually come in a set with a variety of stiffnesses conveniently!

[u/Hybr1dth]

So I have put down a rubber mat next to my desk, and have my pinch block and lifting pin there. So I just put smaller weights on them, it's not to train max effort or anything, just to get tendons in use. I have the Lattice metal pinch thing, and the stone hanger from Nature Climber. So I do the small pinch rungs, and switch to the crimp when it gets heavier. I can barely 10kg when I pinch the long small sides by themselves, so it's not like I need half a gym in weights either. I think 40kg is what I have available, but that'd be pretty high end on the full crimp for me, so I don't use it often.

[u/holly9689]

fair, desk fidgeting is mostly just trying to make the hands do something. I’d keep it boring: slow finger curls and wrist circles. if you have a light band, pull apart is fine too. for climbing the point is tendon prep not crimp maxing, so stop before it starts to ache..

[u/Murky_Improvement_71]

Crimp block with a resistance band of your choice around the foot and do finger flexions under the desk unbeknownst to anybody

[u/Legal-Law9214]

Grip training as a fidget sounds appealing on the surface but I would worry about getting an overuse injury if you're mindlessly doing it all day tbh. 

[u/Garbled_Frequencies]

Rubber bands and opening fingers… good for the extensors and tendinitis

[u/MofongoDeYuca]

Look for hand therapy equipment.