Massage for one to two minutes to help loosen and warm the muscles in the hands. This will get you the most out of your exercise routine.

Treating your hands with a warm paraffin wax bath can also be very helpful.

If you cannot do four reps of any of these exercises at first, don’t worry. Do what you can without straining your muscles. You will find that you naturally build up to more reps with time. Be sure to consult with a physician or physical therapist before adding more than the recommended amount of reps to avoid the possibility of straining your hands.

Do not perform this exercise if you have a thumb injury.

You can also do this exercise by touching your thumb to the pad of each finger. The shape made by your fingers will be more of an oval or egg shape.

Do not perform if you have a thumb injury. [5] X Research source

For strengthening the thumb to the pad of your fingers, you can put a piece of paper between thumb and pad, squeeze, and with opposite hand try to pull the paper from between your thumb and finger.

An isometric activity means holding a static position for an extended period of time. [8] X Research source A rock climber hanging by a particular grip while choosing his or her next move is an example of an isometric activity. A dynamic activity means moving a part of the body while supporting a load with the same part. [9] X Research source A push-up is a great example. You can see how you’re moving your arms during a push-up while supporting the load of your body on them as well. Going from a dead hang (isometric) into a pull-up (dynamic) is an example of an exercise that offers both. You can even tailor pull-ups to include exercising your fingers by keeping your grip on the bar closer to your fingertips than the palms of your hands. Make sure the when you are doing exercises where the hand/palm is holding the body up (push ups, planks, etc. ), you are pressing through your knuckles and fingertips and not sinking into your wrists; this can cause wrist injury.

For a general overview, you can find information at: How to Strengthen Tendons