How to Choose a Dynamometer
Every dynamometer here is wireless and sends its readings to a phone or tablet app, so a strength test comes back as a recorded number with a left-versus-right comparison instead of a judgment call. The main decision is which kind of force you need to measure.
Hand Dynamometers for Grip Strength
A hand dynamometer, also called a hand grip dynamometer, measures grip strength. The person squeezes the handle and the app records peak force, timed isometric holds, or a set of repetitions, and compares left and right hands. Grip strength testing is one of the most common strength measurements in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and general health screening.
Handheld Dynamometers for Muscle Testing
A handheld dynamometer measures push force. The practitioner presses it against the limb while the person pushes back, and the app records peak and average force. It replaces a manual muscle test, where strength is graded by feel, with a measured reading across dozens of muscle groups, from the neck and shoulders to the hips and legs. If you test individual muscle groups, a handheld dynamometer is the core tool.
Pull and Traction Dynamometers
A pull dynamometer sits in line between an anchor point and a strap, handle, or band, and measures the pulling force through it. Because it's anchored rather than held, the practitioner doesn't have to brace against the person being tested, so the reading reflects the person's strength rather than the tester's. A pull dynamometer also handles far higher loads than a handheld unit, which suits stronger muscle groups and athletic populations.
Pneumatic Pressure Dynamometers
A pneumatic dynamometer connects by tube to an inflatable accessory, such as a ball or cushion. When the person squeezes or presses the accessory, the change in air pressure becomes a force reading. The soft accessory fits places a rigid pad can't, such as between the knees or under the neck, and suits gentle, lower-force testing.
Single Dynamometers vs. Assessment Kits
Dynamometers are available individually or as part of an assessment kit that combines push, pull, grip, and pressure dynamometers with a digital goniometer, and in larger kits force plates and a surface EMG sensor. Every sensor runs on the same app, which requires a yearly subscription. If you plan to test more than one kind of strength, a kit is usually the more complete starting point.
Dynamometer FAQs
The questions people usually have before choosing a dynamometer.
What's the difference between a hand dynamometer and a handheld dynamometer?
A hand dynamometer measures grip strength: the person squeezes it. A handheld dynamometer measures push force: the practitioner holds it against a limb while the person pushes against it. They test different things, and many clinics use both.
Why use a dynamometer instead of a manual muscle test?
A manual muscle test grades strength by feel on a simple scale. A dynamometer records an actual force number, which makes it easier to compare sides, track changes over time, and share results.
Which dynamometer should I start with?
For grip strength alone, a hand dynamometer. For testing individual muscle groups, a handheld dynamometer. For higher-load or anchored pull tests, a pull dynamometer. If you need more than one, an assessment kit covers several in one purchase.
Do these dynamometers need an app subscription?
Yes. They connect to an app over Bluetooth, and the app runs on a yearly subscription. A basic free version of the app offers limited functions.
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