Straps

[accuFLEX]

Im thinking about buying a pair of straps for when i shrug and deadlift. Im finding that, as i start to use more heavy weights, my grip is getting weeker and I have to give up because of it.

But at the same time, i dont want my forearms/grip to get weak...

I have never used straps before....and would like to know how much easier it is to lift with them. Also, will my grip strength suffer from using them?

[AKraut]

My simple advice is: buy them ASAP.

A lot of guys on here will tell you that deadlifts are a grip excersize too, but I simply disagree. I refuse to allow my grip to hinder what I can pull, because simply, my back should be stronger than my grip. It will take a few times to get used to the straps, but you'll be amazed at how many more reps you can get per set and you will probably add 40-50lbs to your pull by the second week you use them, I know I did. Don't rely on them for sets you don't have trouble holding, but you will be amazed at what they can do for the sets you can't.

[Vido]

:withstupi Don't use them for stupid things where you don't need to. A lot of people figure that just because they own a pair they may as well use 'em for everything, ie. curls, pulldowns, etc.

The difference in your ability to shrug and deadlift though is night and day, and quite frankly I'm not doing those exercises to increase my grip strength. If you're worried about grip, throw a few set of farmer's walks or static holds (no straps) into your routine every now and then.

[accuFLEX]

thanks man. im going to buy a pair tommorow...

are these fine?
http://www.heavyweights.net/detailed...?articleid=410

[Sidior]

I have smaller hands and problems sometimes with my left forearm and elbow, using straps helps get past this problem as well by providing better grip.......and as said about, if your going super heavy how the hell can u expect your hands to be able to grip as much as your back is doing

[gcs118]

I only use my straps for heavy deads and they make the lift feel much more solid. You don't even have to worry about holding on to the bar anymore. Since I started using straps for deads, I added more grip work into my routine so I don't lose any ground.

[Adam]

My one word answer: Chalk

[AdmiralDan]

accuflex, i don't know where you are from, but i have seen them for much less than that in places like dicks, dunhams, and mcsports. check a local spoorting goods store and you will probably find them cheaper

[SW]

I've tried straps but they don't work for me. Small hands I guess, they just won't work But on the plus side, I have a grip of steel from the DLing I used to do and the bars I handle. A huge plus from lifting!

[chris mason]

I suggest you go as heavy as you can without out them and then use them for the balance of your workout.

What I do lately is deadlift up to my heaviest set with just chalk and then use straps after the heavy set for the balance of my sets.

[Vido]

My one word answer: Chalk

Chalk won't help your grip anywhere near as much as straps. Unless you're going to be doing a powerlifting meet, which would require that you do a max lift with no straps, I see no reason not to use them in your training.

[accuFLEX]

Yea...i have big hands so i guess it wouldn't be a problem for me.

I cant use chalk, because right now im carrying around at workout book, pen, shake, and sometimes an mp3 player when its not on my shorts. I just dont want to carry around the mess and stuff.

So when i do get these....like how do i use them? hahha i dont have a clue.....

[MixmasterNash]

No chalk? Ecoball.

[ianack4life]

Yea...i have big hands so i guess it wouldn't be a problem for me.

I cant use chalk, because right now im carrying around at workout book, pen, shake, and sometimes an mp3 player when its not on my shorts. I just dont want to carry around the mess and stuff.

So when i do get these....like how do i use them? hahha i dont have a clue.....

You obviously take the one end of the strap and pull it through the looped end. If you hold it with the loop you made at the bottom, and the 'tail' of the strap up, you'll see that the strap goes through at an angle. If the 'tail' end is facing left, turn your hand palm up, slide the loop on your wrist and have the tail end run along your thumb...moreso the palm of your hand, but it should take the same path as your thumb. Do this with the other hand as well. Now walk up to the bar, wrap the strap under the bar and pull the strap around the bar with your other hand to tighten it. Have someone else put the other strap around the bar for you, or else learn how to do it yourself/with your teeth....the strap probably won't be as tight as you'd like though.

Be sure to put the strap a little above the bottom of your hand, when its on your wrist because if you lift a heavy weight its going to dig right into your hand and hurt.

Sorry if that explanation is confusing but its the best I could come up with. They're really simple to use but oddly enough can be a pain in the ass to put on if you're not used to them, so you'll look like a tard trying to figure out which way to slide your hand into the loop.

[gcs118]

I'd just ask someone who knows what they're doing, or check out
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/strapsvid.htm - the video is alright. It's important to go UNDER the bar first, NOT over. Otherwise it is pretty self -explanatory.

[FireBug]

In that video, it shows him strapping in the left hand, and as you notice, it does not want to cross his thumb line correctly, if you where to reverse the strap (inside out) it will follow the thumb like the right hand will (not inside out).

Just a minor tip, but it feels alot better.

[Big Bas]

straps only cost like 4 bucks... no reason not to have them, even if the only exercise you use them for is shrugs

[MixmasterNash]

straps only cost like 4 bucks... no reason not to have them, even if the only exercise you use them for is shrugs

This may be the best answer yet. Why not? Just don't over use them.

[BCC]

I had crappy forearms before I used straps, crappy forearms after I started using them, and still crappy forearms after stopping using them. I think straps are a crutch, but a necessary one for some people. Use them sparingly like MMN said.

[accuFLEX]

Use them sparingly like MMN said.

Yea i will...but i did DL's today without them (forgot them at home right after i bought them hahaha) and tried to do a new PB of 255lbs....my grip gave out after 8 reps.. I say i could have done 270 today if i could hold on.

[MixmasterNash]

Okay, well, then you need to train your grip too! Add some static holds after deads or in some other workout.

[Max-Mex]

My simple advice is: buy them ASAP.

A lot of guys on here will tell you that deadlifts are a grip excersize too, but I simply disagree. I refuse to allow my grip to hinder what I can pull, because simply, my back should be stronger than my grip. It will take a few times to get used to the straps, but you'll be amazed at how many more reps you can get per set and you will probably add 40-50lbs to your pull by the second week you use them, I know I did. Don't rely on them for sets you don't have trouble holding, but you will be amazed at what they can do for the sets you can't.

You have a weak grip then. My grip has NEVER hinder a deadlift pull. NEVER. Not getting it off the ground or not locking out is my problem.

As for the straps question, use them if you want, but they will affect your grip overtime. If you want a strong grip, then don't use them...EVER.

[body]

evne when using straps. its not like the weight is just having to hang off your wrist. your grip strenght still increases as your dead lift increase as well and some of us have much better quality bars in the gym to deadlift with in regards to grip on the bar.
my gym is crap my hands slip even when i bench some times.

[accuFLEX]

All I can say is WOW
I used straps for my DL's today....my old PB was 255lbs...its now 305lbs!
*cough* new goal *cough*

[MixmasterNash]

All I can say is WOW
I used straps for my DL's today....my old PB was 255lbs...its now 305lbs!
*cough* new goal *cough*

Eh, why not make it a goal to lift it without straps?