Grippers are devices used to test and increase the strength of the hands, specifically the crushing grip, which is defined as the prime movers being the four fingers. They are primarily used for hand strengthening exercises and are commonly found in sporting goods and exercise equipment stores. Traditional grippers are used by the whole hand at once, although specialty grippers exist that allow the fingers to be trained one or two at a time. Grippers from the early 20th century to the middle of the 20th century typically had wooden handles and were quite easy for a strong person to close. However, they were largely replaced with inexpensive plastic-handled grippers that are commonly found today. Some grippers have variable-length handles, allowing the user to change the amount of leverage and the range of motion involved when closing the gripper. Grippers have a longstanding tradition in physical culture, and different models are sought out by specialist collectors.

It is important to note that the term "grippers" has a different meaning in the Urban Dictionary, where it refers to the inner muscle used to hold ones anus shut. Additionally, "gripper" can refer to a person or thing that grips, or to a finger-like device used in printing presses for gripping and transferring sheets.