New "Thumbell" Targets Specific Texting Muscle Groups [VIDEO]

For those who tire of sore texting thumbs, there may be hope yet: "Thumbells."

Designed especially for one's thumbs, the small pair of weights allow a person to target specific texting muscle groups in order to strengthen the thumb and fingers.

The announcement, an O2 press release explains, comes just in time for those looking to get fit for the company's 4G launch this summer.

"New research from O2 reveals that over 26 million people in the UK have suffered from thumb pain in the last 5 years," the statement reads. "With the average British smartphone owner spending 13 minutes playing games, 24 minutes browsing the web and 15 minutes on social networks a day, the thumb is taking a battering."

The company says it's also teamed up with BMI Healthcare in order to create a fitness regime to complement the Thumbell weight training, with tips including resting one's forearms when possible, not gripping the phone too hard and keeping one's nails short.

"The thumb is being used more than ever for rapid, fine movements," Nicola Goldsmith, the services manager for BMI Upper Limb Services, said. "We are seeing gadget related injuries increasing and it's time we gave our digits a helping hand. The Thumbells provide a fun way for getting us to focus on thumb protection and the O2 'fit for 4G' video class and top tips will hopefully help you to prepare your thumbs for the speed of 4G".

Struggling to get motivated? O2 says it plans on releasing an inspirational video in order to raise awareness of thumb health.

"We know our customers are using their thumbs more than ever. Data use is experiencing exponential growth and with 4G just around the corner, we want to make sure our customers are ready to make the most of what 4G will offer them," General Manager Devices David Johnson said. "Whether it's choosing tracks to listening to, scrolling through videos or playing mobile games, we're all using our thumbs to interact with the technological revolution, and as such it's important we keep our most precious digits healthy."