Learn Functional Exercises with Puttycise® Tools

TheraPutty® is a great tool for hand and finger strengthening. While there are many exercises you can do with putty alone, you can expand your exercise options further by pairing TheraPutty® with a set of Puttycise® tools.

The five Puttycise® tools are useful to perform functional exercises and joint protection techniques. They can teach the user to simulate various functions, like turning a knob or pushing a button, to help with everyday life tasks.

Below we’ve listed some exercises you can perform with Puttycise® tools. Puttycise® tools work best when paired with one pound of exercise putty. For the purposes of this article, we used all the tools plus one pound of an extra-light (yellow) and light (red) resistance putty.

Knob Turn Tool

The Knob Turn Tool is designed to simulate opening a door, tightening a jar, pushing a lip onto a container, tightening a valve, holding a glass of water, and more.

Standard Grip

This is a functional grip exercise. It helps to strengthen digit flexors, increase radial and ulnar wrist range-of-motion, and simulates a natural function for improved finger coordination.

Intrinsic Turn

With your fingers in an intrinsic position, use the tips of your fingers to turn the tool in either direction. This strengthens the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

C Grip

This is a joint protection technique exercise. It teaches the use of larger joints and muscle groups when performing functional activity. It also promotes finger flexion with wrist flexion and extension.

Key Turn Tool

The Key Turn Tool is designed to simulate turning a key, holding onto a folder or piece of paper, throwing a Frisbee, holding a clothespin open, and more.

Intrinsic Turn

Push the Key Turn tool into the putty. Hold the tool between any two fingers to produce turning through the putty. This exercise can be performed with the IP joints in flexion and/or full extension. Use this exercise to strengthen intrinsic muscles.

Standard Turn

Push the base of the tool into the putty. Hold it with your thumb, index, and middle finger to produce a functional turn, simulating turning a key.

Lateral Pinch Pull

Place one side of the base of the tool into the putty. Use a lateral pinch grasp to pull the tool through the putty. This exercise is used to teach joint protection techniques and to utilize the proximal thumb instead of the thumb when pinching.

Cap Turn Tool

The Cap Turn Tool is designed to simulate opening or closing a water bottle, turning on a stove, or tightening a large bolt.

FPL Turn

Push the base of the tool into the putty. Emphasize the thumb tip to produce turning through putty. This movement promotes FPL tendon glide and thumb IP joint range-of-motion.

Tip Turn

Push the base of the tool into the putty. Oppose the thumb to the selected finger to hold the cap while turning the tool through the putty. This exercise promotes thumb to digit range-of-motion and improves FM coordination.

FPL Push

Start with the base of the tool on top of the putty. Use your thumb to push the tool into the putty, like you’re pushing a button. This movement promotes FPL tendon glide and thumb IP joint range-of-motion.

Peg Turn Tool

This tool is designed to mimic movements like turning a bolt/nut, pushing a button, using a pen, holding a straw, and tightening a small knob.

Standard Turn

Push the base of the tool into the putty. Use your fingers and thumb to turn the peg in either direction, simulating a standard turn of a comparable object.

Peg Pull

Push one side of the base into the putty. Using a lateral pinch, or thumb and any finger, pull the peg through the putty. This movement improves FM coordination and strengthening.

Peg Pull Up

Push the full base of the tool into the exercise putty. Use a lateral pinch, or thumb and any finger, to pull the tool up and through the putty. This exercise assists with thenar adduction range-of-motion. It also teaches joint protection techniques using the proximal thumb instead of the distal thumb to decrease CMC joint loading.

L-Bar Tool

This tool simulates activities such as pulling a vacuum, sweeping, using a hammer, or operating a car.

Radial Deviation

Hold the L-bar starting in an ulnarly deviated position. Place the tip into the putty and radially deviate the wrist while pushing the tip through the putty.

Forearm Pronation

Stabilize the elbow at your side. Hold the L-bar with a firm grip and place the tip into the putty. Rotate your forearm by turning your palm down.

Functional Pull

Start by firmly holding the L-Bar tool. Place the tip of the bar into the putty, and pull the tool through the putty. This motion activates the entire upper extremity from the fingertips to the shoulder.

By pairing TheraPutty® with Puttycise® tools, you unlock a new collection of functional exercises. Click here to view even more Puttycise® exercises you can do. These exercises are best determined by a primary healthcare provider, therapist, coach, or trainer so consult with them before beginning your hand training.