Clenched Fist Meaning in Body Language

The first time I noticed myself clenching my fist was when I was visualizing myself fighting with someone. Later on, I found myself making that move in the gym whenever I was about to lift a heavyweight.

So what exactly does that gesture mean, and why does it appear in situations that might seem different or unrelated?

The first meaning of that gesture is that it signifies unyieldingness.

If you were in a situation where you decided that you would not yield no matter what happens, you might take this gesture. However, this gesture seems to be more connected to situations where a physical effort of some sort is required.

So during a negotiation, it’s less likely to see that gesture, but if you were about to go for a fight with someone or if you were about to lift a heavyweight, then you might find yourself doing it.

Empowering yourself

This gesture can also be taken when you feel like empowering yourself. When I talked about body language gestures earlier, I said that those gestures could help change our emotional states.

If, for example, you took the body language gestures of confidence, then after some time, you might actually feel confident.

In other words, you might clench your fist to empower yourself or to make yourself feel stronger in the face of an upcoming challenge that you are about to face.

Firmness and strength

Clenching the fist is a sign that can also communicate firmness and strength. If you felt weak, unsure of yourself, or unable to take a challenge, you are very less likely to make that gesture.

This gesture is more connected to a challenging spirit or a challenging state. You might have noticed that some politicians clench their fists while talking about a certain issue.

A politician could, for example, be giving promises about some improvements that he is going to make. Clenching the fist while giving those promises indicates firmness, a strong will, a strong desire to change things, and a certain level of confidence.

Connection to aggression

Clenching the fist is also a body language sign that is connected to aggression. Aggression here could be as simple as the intention to get things done no matter what happens. It’s more of aggression that is connected to a strong will.

If a person clenches his fist before a physical fight, this could indicate a type of physical aggression that shows that this person is ready to step into a fight. If someone did that while firmly talking to you, then know that there is a possibility that he might want to start a fight with you. It would be a good idea to get yourself prepared if you saw someone clenching his fist.

Anger builds up

Yesterday I was waiting in a long queue, and I felt that the employee handling registration was not doing her job correctly. I was trying to control myself not to talk to her aggressively as my turn was approaching.

I noticed my fists becoming clenched during that situation. So this gesture can also indicate the build-up of anger. And yes, I controlled myself :)