Best way to train fingers while camping?

Hey y’all. I’ll be doing hitch work this summer and I’m wondering what the best way to train finger strength while out on hitch would be. Thanks. 

You can buy a portable hangboard. Either hang it from something or pull it from the ground with weight. Jugs of water are excellent sources of weight.

If you don't have access to heavy enough weight you can pull a portable board (tension flash, lattice bar, etc) against your foot and structure your workouts around perceived effort instead of absolute weight. If you want to make it more analytic, you can combine this method with a force gauge to see how hard you are pulling, though this would require batteries.

Sweet thanks guys. That’s what I was thinking, and a buddy recommended the tension block, but I was curious if there were any other specific products anyone reccomends

Tension Block (or similar products) is great for if you are planning to pick up weight off of the ground like water jugs, rocks, etc. with one hand. Flash board (or similar products) is great for hanging it off of a tree branch or truck and using your body weight on it with both hands. Two ways of achieving the same thing, but one might be a lot more practical than another based on where you are and what’s available (trees with good branches or large rocks or water jugs). Both work well slung over your foot.

Unless you are strong enough to do whole workouts of one arm hangs, I have not found hanging from the tension block to be a very comfortable or practical experience. Additionally if you do go the tension block and pick stuff up route, make sure you bring some slings and carabiners and such to wrap around your objects. 

Hey Nic,

I also work in the field on hitches with an 8 on/6 off schedule frequently. I also usually work in desert areas where there often isn't a place to hang a portable hangboard, which used to be my preference if possible. When I have done that, I've liked my Tension flash board hung off a tree, but any brand board will do. The problem with that becomes bringing enough weight to actually get enough of a work out.

Recently though, I've switched over to using a homemade 20mm edge and pulling against 100% resistance (a piece of wood that I stand on). Any branded edge product like the Tension block would work just fine and be better than my janky homemade edge. I use a Tindeq (brand of force gauge) to measure how much force I'm pulling since nothing actually moves. It's a very lightweight setup that I can use literally anywhere, and gives quality feedback on how much effort you are putting in. I think it has helped me get stronger fingers while working in the field.

The key to the workouts I've done with that setup is that you are only flexing your fingers against the edge, not trying to pull with your whole arm, so I have the edge positioned in a way that my legs and elbows are totally straight. You should read some of the information from Dr. Tyler Nelson, (his brand is called C4HP). He's the foremost individual talking about this stuff and has loads of good info. I'm also happy to provide more insight/photos of my setup and whatnot if you're interest, just let me know.