What do you all think about straps? It’s improving, but my forearm and grip strength limit me on some lifts.
Must admit i used to overuse the straps, now i only use them for Barbell/Dumbell Shrugs and depending how i’m feeling sometimes with the deadlift - although for the first one or two sets i try not to use them. So essential for the shrugs, everything else nah.
I think that straps should be used wisely, when you can`t do more than 3 reps, use straps. Your grip should not hinder you from moving those heavy weights. To deadlift 500 pounds without straps is tough, atleast for me…
And especially when you work your back, you got to use weights big enough to make it grow, and the grip is usually not as strong as your lats.
Yes, exactly. This is where the issues seem to arrise. This morning was a back workout, and my grip failed dead-lifitng before I worked my lats the way I wanted to. So, you think using straps just for the final sets of deadlifts and other exercises when the grip has gone but avoiding them up until that point is a good strategy?
[quote]bomberlow wrote:
Must admit i used to overuse the straps, now i only use them for Barbell/Dumbell Shrugs and depending how i’m feeling sometimes with the deadlift - although for the first one or two sets i try not to use them. So essential for the shrugs, everything else nah. [/quote]
I think that’s a good strategy. Thanks. I wouldn’t use them for the beginning sets. How else would grip and forearm strength improve if not working them appropriately?
Work on your grip. What good is it to be strong enough to lift a given weight if you can’t apply that strength because of a weak grip? The result is that you actualy are not strong enough. The grip is the weak link in the chain.
I agree. That’s why I would only use straps at the very end of the workout. Do you think this a bad idea? No benefit? Would you recommend any direct forearm/grip work beyond that gained from normal lifting?
Although i reckon i have got stronger in grip with less strap use, i have also once a week tried to fit in two exercises for the forearms, barbell curls off the end of a bench etc. Training at a franchised gym i can honestly say i haven’t seen one other person directly training forearms! I know some people say you train them enough with other exercises, but my forearms are looking a lot meatier!
Thanks for the input. I have been doing a little barbell work. I will continue to do it and hit them more regularly on your recommendation.
I don’t know a lot about grip training because I just used my hands a lot at work. Tree climbing and lowering logs and branches with ropes built my grip up to a degree of strenght that was just plain sick. But that was because it needed to be that strong.My life was literaly in my own hands most of the time.
You could try rigging something up with 11mm arborist rope. You have to squeeze real hard with an almost closed fist to grip and pull on it.
I’d volunteer some but at a buck a foot, I hesitate to cut apart a 100 foot strand.
I generally will only turn to them when grip begins to hamper my w/o.
So go without them as long as you can each w/o until your grip fails then use then. Try to make it a bit further every w/o and your grip will advance.
I use to use them all the time for deads and shrugs then I discovered the mixed grip. Now I have traps that are unsymmetrical! I didn’t switch which hand was under/over.
CW told me that this would be a problem!
Dont rely too much on the mixed grip either! With heavier weights you can also tear a bicep; according to CW and I think he knows a little something.
normally only for the last set or two of shrugs…
Anyone ever see someone using straps for bench? I don't see the value in that at all.LA
Don’t use them.
Sorry, I meant “I don’t use them”.
Learn the Hook grip. It is the best thing I have ever done. At first my lifts suffered, but now I am lifting more and my forearms and Bis are bigger than ever. Its tough at first, but once you get over the pain your grip will be like a vice.
JB
[quote]Snoop wrote:
I use to use them all the time for deads and shrugs then I discovered the mixed grip. Now I have traps that are unsymmetrical! I didn’t switch which hand was under/over.
CW told me that this would be a problem!
Dont rely too much on the mixed grip either! With heavier weights you can also tear a bicep; according to CW and I think he knows a little something.[/quote]
Thanks for the input guys. I am going to buy straps, but I’ll only use them when I absolutely need to to improve the end of my workouts. I use the mixed grip for deads. You mean one hand overhand grip and the other underhand? Should I be switching hands each workout?
[quote]Joebob wrote:
Learn the Hook grip. It is the best thing I have ever done. At first my lifts suffered, but now I am lifting more and my forearms and Bis are bigger than ever. Its tough at first, but once you get over the pain your grip will be like a vice.
JB[/quote]
What is the hook grip?
[quote]jsbrook wrote:
Joebob wrote:
Learn the Hook grip. It is the best thing I have ever done. At first my lifts suffered, but now I am lifting more and my forearms and Bis are bigger than ever. Its tough at first, but once you get over the pain your grip will be like a vice.
JB
What is the hook grip?
[/quote]
I had a hard time trying to post the pic, because I am not very computer savy so here is a link
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=482671
js,
I don’t know how often one should switch mixed grips, but I switch it every single lift. I don’t count a PR unless it comes up with both grip variations…