First off, what is the difference between a hand held dynamometer and a grip strength dynamometer?

A handheld dynamometer is held in the hand of the examiner and applied against the individual being tested. Handheld dynamometers can be used in a variety of different muscle tests that can measure the patient's muscle strength for both upper and lower extremities. Common muscle testing procedures include flexion, extension, and abduction of both the shoulders and hips. See our youtube channel or the links below to see full demonstrations of shoulder and hip testing with the MicroFET 2 hand held dynamometer. 

A hand grip dynamometer is held in the hand of the person being tested and is used to measure only their grip strength. The uses for grip strength dynamometers are more limited and specific than your average handheld dynamometer so it is important to make sure you know what muscle testing procedures you will be performing before you buy either device.  

Muscle testing using a hand dynamometer varies in many ways but each testing procedure has one thing in common - Each test is performed in a Gravity Eliminated pose. Gravity eliminated means that you are measuring muscle strength while the patient is not being influenced by gravity. The patient exerts force on the device sitting or Supine position in order to remove gravity's influence on the results.