An apparatus for holding martial arts boards includes a first grip including a curved section for grasping the first grip in varying positions and a slot for holding a first end of the martial arts board. The slot is perpendicular to and distal from the curved section where when the martial arts board is inserted in the slot the martial arts board is perpendicular to the curved section and in front of a user's hand grasping the curved section such that the user's hand is protected from striking blows to the martial arts board. Means for accommodating martial arts boards of varying thickness and gripping means for holding the martial arts board in the slot are included. Various means for improving a grasp of the user's hand are also included.