Welcome to the “dog days” of summer. Originally named for Sirius, the Dog Star that shines brightest in the summer sky. We know this season means earlier outdoor workouts, and more time enjoying our cool, indoor facilities. As the competitive court seasons wrap up, and the club settles into a quieter rhythm, it’s the perfect time to try something new, or perhaps give more intentional thought to the mechanics of how we move.
To help us dive deeper, we welcome Kate Medina, Certified Fitness Instructor at Burnt Store Marina Fitness Center, to discuss the vital importance of hand, forearm, and wrist strength.
IS GRIP STRENGTH THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY?
Before we answer that, let’s define it: grip strength is the force exerted by your hand, wrist, and forearm muscles when squeezing or holding an object. While this strength naturally begins to decline around age 50, modern research shows it is a powerful predictor of overall health. Studies increasingly link a weakening grip to higher mortality risks and chronic disease.
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that over a 12-month period, individuals with weaker grip strength faced a 45% higher risk of mortality than those with stronger grips. Further research suggests a significant association between handgrip strength and various age-related laboratory markers. Some experts even suggest that testing grip strength with a hand-held dynamometer could serve as a cost-effective, non-invasive way to predict biological aging. Essentially, a strong grip serves as a “check engine light” for muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular health.
While grip strength isn’t the only factor in longevity, it is a key metric we can actively improve. To bolster your hand and forearm health, consider these exercises:
• Squeezing a stress ball or tennis ball.
• Towel wringing to engage the wrists.
• Reverse wrist curls (sitting with forearms on knees, palms down, curling weights upward).
• Functional movements like chin-ups and deadlifts.
The Burnt Store Marina Fitness Center offers numerous programs to improve your overall functional fitness. Check out our latest calendar of classes to get started!
PICKLEBALL NEWS
The season’s final curtain call was the 2026 US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, which set a world record with over 3,750 players! Athletes from 53 countries competed, including 17 of our own from Burnt Store Marina, supported by dozens of our dedicated local fans.
Podium Highlights:
• GOLD: Tony Gray and Peter Reilly (3.5 Level, 75–79 Age Division).
• BRONZE: Rob Jamros and Jonathan Ralph (4.0 Group, 65–69 Age Division). Congratulations to our champions!
TENNIS UPDATE
The 2025–2026 league season concluded with two BSM teams taking home first-place honors. Huge congratulations to the BSM Marina Gals (70+ Division) and the BSM Simply Smashing (3.0 Division) for their championship wins!
The courts remain active this summer with Wednesday Summer Tennis (8–9:30 a.m.), Saturday Round Robins (8–9:30 a.m.), and ongoing pick-up games.
The Marina Gals 70+: Capt. Robin Vanderlinden, Ann Mansfield, Jarmilla Taud, Karen Kopp, Pat Lynette, Linda Rousseau, Karin Eisermann, Judy Bishop, Cinda Brown, Bonnie Welter, Judy Puchyr, Judy Schmitz.
Simply Smashing 3.0: Capt. Cheri Frank, Co-Capt. Jo-Ann Arthur, Dorothy Saviste, Cynthia (Sofie) Timmer, Lynn Wood, Becky Isley, Karen Kopp, Gail Fairfield, Jarmilla Taud, Janet Wood, Sheila Purtill.
