[quote]masonator wrote:
I usually go double overhand until I can’t hold on, then it’s left-over and right under. [/quote]
This, except I alternate left over and right over for the sets / reps after double overhand fails.
[quote]patrick12 wrote:
TheDudeAbides wrote:
masonator wrote:
I usually go double overhand until I can’t hold on, then it’s left-over and right under.
same for me … and then when my mixed grip fails I use straps
Straps = Cheating ?[/quote]
Not always. It is if you’re working your grip. It ain’t if you’re working your back.
[quote]skidmark wrote:
patrick12 wrote:
TheDudeAbides wrote:
masonator wrote:
I usually go double overhand until I can’t hold on, then it’s left-over and right under.
same for me … and then when my mixed grip fails I use straps
Straps = Cheating ?
Not always. It is if you’re working your grip. It ain’t if you’re working your back.[/quote]
My grip always held me back, I like that answer, I think that I’ll get straps.
i use a mixed grip , i try and alternate grips too but sometimes i forget which hand was in what position
Yeah, I try to. Supinating your hand (palm up/out) puts a lot of strain on the biceps, so I try to alternate to make sure both arms are taking the strain instead of just one. I know too many strongmen who’ve torn biceps doing supinated stuff to hang one arm out to dry.
J
I’ll typically use double overhand grip until I hit 300+ then I’ll switch to a mixed grip, alternating each set. I’m a bit leery about bicep tears as well so I always make sure I don’t ever try to pull with my arms.
About the only time I’ll use straps is if I’m doing rack pulls, clean/snatch pulls.
Recently Lyle McDonald had a good blog post
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/clean-style-deadlift-technique.html
about the deadlift and here is what he said about the grips:
[quote] Lyle McDonald wrote:
Finally, I want to talk about grip a bit (I?ll cover this in more detail in a future site update). Probably the most common grip used for the deadlift is the mixed grip with one hand going over the bar (pronated) and the other under (supinated). This tends to be stronger than either an overhand grip or the hook grip. However, it also puts a slight torque across the spine and some injuries (including biceps tears) have occasionally occurred. All you have to do is bend the undergrip hand a little bit and you can tear a biceps with any heavy weight.
Another option is to use a double overhand grip which is exactly what it sounds like, both hands grip over the bar; the thumb closes over the fingers in the double overhand grip. This is generally weaker than the mixed grip but avoids torque across the spine of imbalances.
A third option is the hook grip which is what Olympic lifters and some powerlifters use. It is a double overhand grip but the thumbs are pinned under the first two or three fingers. As an Olympic lifter will tell you, the hook grip is stronger than a regular overhand grip. But it is painful when you first do it.
So which is better? As above, mixed grip is probably stronger of the three although you can build a damn strong hook grip if you start early enough. Regular overgrip is the weakest although it can be used if you use lifting straps. If you use the mixed grip, I recommend switching which hand is over and which is under from set to set (it will feel weird at first) to avoid a chronic imbalance through the spine.
What about lifting straps? Hardhead purists will tell you to never use straps to deadlift. And, for a powerlifter who needs to build their grip strength, they may not be incorrect. However, for general training purposes, straps can be beneficial; a bodybuilder or other non-powerlifting athlete shouldn?t let grip limitations hold back the training stimulus to their other muscles.
What I recommend is to try and avoid straps during a workout as long as possible. When you reach the point that grip becomes limiting, strap up. That way, you build your grip and you get the full workout done. This goes for all back work. I?ll cover the proper use of straps in a future artic[/quote]
I believe that in order to lift it, we should be able to grip it. To each their own, though.
[quote]patricio2626 wrote:
Straps = Cheating ?
I believe that in order to lift it, we should be able to grip it. To each their own, though.[/quote]
If your goal is to get bigger and stronger and your grip holds you back, then use straps.
I believe that’s where I would prefer to work on grip strength - otherwise it seems like you would need to use straps in all your other lifts because your grip would become your biggest limiting factor/weakest link.
How do you guys feel about the hook grip for deadlifting? I might start using it on my warmups to get used to it.
[quote]zephead4747 wrote:
How do you guys feel about the hook grip for deadlifting? I might start using it on my warmups to get used to it.[/quote]
I love it (provided I have pretty big hands though). I’ve been focusing on using it more for all pulling movements, and it’s starting to feel extremely secure on the deadlift. Especially with a resin ball, I’ve had no bar slippage after switching to hook.
I use the same method as a couple guys already mentioned…go pronated with both for as heavy as I can manage…then use a mixed grip thereafter, alternating hand positions during throughout those sets.
I am not against straps, but prefer not to use them or chalk as well. However, my grip strength does not limit my posterior chain strength development, as they are fairly equal contrbutors on my deadlift.
I don’t use the hook grip on deads, but I do use it on snatches.
[quote]machiajelly wrote:
zephead4747 wrote:
How do you guys feel about the hook grip for deadlifting? I might start using it on my warmups to get used to it.
I love it (provided I have pretty big hands though). I’ve been focusing on using it more for all pulling movements, and it’s starting to feel extremely secure on the deadlift. Especially with a resin ball, I’ve had no bar slippage after switching to hook.[/quote]
Thats what I’m talking about. Ive seen pictures of people deadlifting 700+lbs with a double overhand grip (hook I presume) and that seems like the best way to avoid using straps and keeping the dbl overhand.
[quote]patricio2626 wrote:
Straps = Cheating ?
I believe that in order to lift it, we should be able to grip it. To each their own, though.[/quote]
I feel the same way. You aren’t alone. To each their own, though.
I alternate only with warm-up sets.
once I’m going heavy I have a preferred grip and I stick with that.
I wish I had alternated. My right forearm is 1.2 inches bigger than my left now…
[quote]Nate Dogg wrote:
patricio2626 wrote:
Straps = Cheating ?
I believe that in order to lift it, we should be able to grip it. To each their own, though.
If your goal is to get bigger and stronger and your grip holds you back, then use straps.
[/quote]
I see your logic. I guess I’m more of a purist, and you’re more pragmatic. I don’t think either one of us is wrong.
When I do conventional Dl (once in a blue moon) I alternate my grip in every set. Even when testing my max, I alternate it.
As for straps… I don’t use them, but I don’t see an issue with others doing so.
I use a mix grip. sometimes I’ll try both overhand but end up too worried about losing control to really get as much from the set as possible…
I alternate, but the truth is really because I’m hopelessly OCD and everything has to balance out. 
Honestly I don’t know if I pull enough weight so any of the other reasons matter, I’m still trying to recover from being a shape-magazine-program chick for so long.
I also don’t like being coordinationally unbalanced, if that makes sense, it’s difficult for my right hand to be underhand and I’d like my brain to be willing to do both easily.
Just wondering:
Since all the pronators and supinators originate below the the glenohumeral joint how would not varying the grip develop a scapular imbalance?
Whether pronated or supinated the proximal humerus retains the same position in its articulation at the scapula and thus so would the rotator cuff muscles and the overlying muscles of the scapula.
I vary my grip too, but for the sake of the pronators and supinators. The Biceps brachii has a supination function, but only its insertion at the radial tuberosity would change in a supinated vs pronated grip, the long head attachment at the top of the glenoid and the short head on the coracoid process would remain static in either position I would think.
Am I missing something?