Straps for deadlift

[Jorge Sanchez]

I have trouble doing heavy deadlifts because of my grip. Anything over 205 and I can't hold on to the bar for anymore than 5-6 reps. I used straps the other day and was able to lift much more as my grip was significantly improved. What is your opinion on the use of straps? Is it worth sacrificing the work on my grip to hit my back to the fullest?

[Focused70]

I can't give you advice on straps, sorry.

I've found that static holds and farmer's walks improve your grip by allowing you to progress in tandem as your lifts increase in poundages.

Work your grip AND your back. Don't sacrifice one for the other.

[Jorge Sanchez]

What's a farmer's walk?

[jack_of_all]

hold some dumbbells and start walking. heavy ones of course.

your grip cant be THAT weak man, you are using mixed grip arent you? add chalk before you go with straps. and definitley build up your grip.

[tholian8]

What's a farmer's walk?

When you take a very heavy dumbbell in each hand (no straps please), and walk as far as you can with them until you have to drop them. Each week try to walk a little further.

And here's another vote for static holds. They will really help your deadlift grip.

I use straps on some back work, but NEVER for DL from the floor or for rack pulls/partial DL. I also work my deadlift grip separately.

[PhilsterT]

I would use straps.

[jack_of_all]

at that light of a weight? his grip wont develop at all if he goes with straps that early on.

[PhilsterT]

Yeah, but neither will his back. Honestly, I care a billion times more about my back and would rather have a developed back than an okay one. Use straps for deads and then on a seperate day do some static holds or farmer's walks.

[Focused70]

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and walk around the length of your gym with them, for as long as you can grip them. With time, you'll be able to hold on to heavier and heavier weights. FWs are great for your grip as well as stabilizers.

Click here for more information. Also, you'll find some information in this forum by doing a search.

[Gutz981]

You trying the over hand under hand grip?

[jack_of_all]

this sounds like hes not doing mixed grip, if he was, he could hold the weight.

[Gutz981]

Yeah because 205 aint that much try a mixed grip with some chalk that should do ya good

[Jorge Sanchez]

Where can I pick up chalk? A GNC?

[krazydawg]

Like some others have said, you will be amazed what a mixed grip and chalk will do for your grip. It will help tremedously. I do most of my dead's without straps, but if I get to the point where I think that my back is outlasting my grip, I won't hesitate to use straps.

[Unholy]

I have a problem with 315+ anythign under I dont need straps.

[tholian8]

Definitely chalk up if your gym will let you. (And even if they don't--remember, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. ) It'll feel as if the bar is glued to your hands. In all seriousness, you might get 30 or more lbs out of chalking alone.

[MixmasterNash]

A few months of proper grip training will quickly increase your grip strength to the point where it should never be a limiting factor in most cases. Plus chalk. Chalk is great. Eco-ball is great if you can't use chalk.

[HahnB]

gnc won't have chalk, it's actually really hard to find locally. I ended up calling a gymnastics place(they use the same chalk) and asked where they bought theirs at because I didn't want to order it online. They ended up giving me a block for free- and 1 block will last you a while.

[Jorge Sanchez]

I know I did this in the wrong order, but doing a search yielded a number of results (although they say basically the same thing that is being said here). What I haven't been able to figure out though is why chalk is better for improving your grip than straps. Both are an aid to your grip so don't both take some of the pressure off your grip?

Also, I think I'm gonna stick with the straps for a little while as my grip is severly limiting my DL. I just started DL a couple months ago and after getting the form down I have been startign to go heavy for the past couple weeks. Last week I hit 250X6 without even being close to failure, and as I said anything over 200 and I have trouble with my grip. My question is, if I do seperate grip work (ie: famers walk) will my grip catch up eventually?

[Focused70]

There are many opinions regarding strap usage/non strap usage on this forum. I'd suggest doing a little research first and finding out what works best for you.

Work your grip separately from your deads, and things will improve fairly quickly.

[d'Anconia]

Jorge are you doing mixed grip? As in one hand doing over hand grip and the other hand doing underhand grip?

[Jorge Sanchez]

I've tried both, and I don't find the mixed grip helps that much. The bar still rolls out of my hands.

[Built]

If you value your grip strength above back development, don't use straps.

If you value back development over grip strength, use straps.

It's just a question of priority.

[Tony G]

I don't see the big issue with straps. Straps will allow you to use maximal weight. Maximal weight=more strength/muscle growth. Where it becomes dumb is when you see guys using straps for EVERYTHING (lat pulldowns, rows, Smith Machine Upright Rows, bicep curls...haha). I think as long as you're using DB's and BB's (without straps) on other lifts, your grip will improve. But if not having straps is limiting the amount of weight you can use for a movement such as a deadlift, then by all means use them. Just remember they're a tool, not a means to an end

[KevinStarke]

I would opt for chalk, if you always use straps you'll look like a bitch when you go to try anything near what your doing with straps without them and you drop the weight. Work on your grip and really fight it for deads is what i would do.