hand straps for weightlifting

[KaliBaby]

even with a shit load of chalk, my grip kept slipping the other day during my deadlift session.

are hand straps worth it? does anyone use them here? any suggestions if you are opposed?

thanks

[crapiecorn]

Pick a weight that you can lift and try to hold it for x secondes. This will improve your grip stength to keep up with big weights. Straps are ok for bigger lifts, but in the beginning it's best to lift raw.

[aliquis]

Of course they are worth if it you can't hold the bar, as they works.

Especially on things like snatch width deadlift standing on a platform where the grip gets plenty weaker and would limit you way more than during regular deadlifts.

[ninearms]

Tape your thumbs and use a hook grip. The only thing that breaks a hook grip is pain.

[baldy]

When this happens to me, I always take it as my grip is the weakest point. So you need to work on that, straps are not going to make your grip any stronger.

That is unless your grip is bad due to fatigue or injury. Hook grip is super cool, you will get you some very interesting calluses on on your hands. Give it a try and see how you get on.

[aliquis]

But if another grip solves the issue couldn't one still see it as he grip is too weak then and that one should be forced to use the lower weight until your regular grip catches up? ... If one think that regarding straps.

I use straps in the snatch-width deadlift since the bar gets a hell of a lot heavier and I may use them during pullups, especially after deadlifts, if I feel that the load on my forearms will affect my performance or willingness to continue.

Uhm, and for heavy dumbbell rows.

Of course it's good to train your forearms by lifting heavy to but do you really want to lose efficiency in a lift like the deadlift just to get some more forearm training? Though in normal deadlifts my forearms work since any weight necessary to use straps probably makes my form look like shit and my back to hurt.

[V VII Hero]

When this happens to me, I always take it as my grip is the weakest point. So you need to work on that, straps are not going to make your grip any stronger.

That is unless your grip is bad due to fatigue or injury. Hook grip is super cool, you will get you some very interesting calluses on on your hands. Give it a try and see how you get on.

I concur with this post. strengthen your weakest link.

I have tons of grip problems. practicing grip training is a good idea. its hard but worth it.

[crapiecorn]

I have tons of grip problems. practicing grip training is a good idea. its hard but worth it.

The half crimp you're doing(avatar) is a good grip training exercise for beginners, just try to hold on.

[aliquis]

I concur with this post. strengthen your weakest link.

Well, if you've got enough time, guts and will you can train your grip separately, and in that case we could compare doing lifts at an easier weight because your grip can't handle more vs doing the at a heavier weight and then work your grip on another occasion. In that case the later would make you use heavier weights in your exercises there the grip is limiting and you'd also do extra grip work, which would be MORE hardcore even if you use straps than working out on a lower weight.

I would assume plenty of the most strong people in lifts like the deadlifts use straps on their heaviest weights, sure strong grip would be better but if they don't have it? Those people also normally end up being the biggest and strongest people and they will most likely not have small forearms either.

My deadlift max is "just" 185, I could probably do a rep or so on 150 using normal grip, but for someone pulling max 320 I doubt it's that easy to pull 300 using normal grip ..

[JP]

I would assume plenty of the most strong people in lifts like the deadlifts use straps on their heaviest weights, sure strong grip would be better but if they don't have it? Those people also normally end up being the biggest and strongest people and they will most likely not have small forearms either.

no, most people wouldnt use straps for heavy deads unless there is a problem.

For instance the deadlifts on vegan strength table have to be without straps.

And in powerlifting and most strongman comps you cant use straps either.

But then again, straps can be useful - when used in a way which doesnt make your grip weaker. So for instance, if you have torn callous in your hand, you have back issue where mixed grip might cause problems, or you have done some other grip heavy stuff like farmers walks, then why not.

So as a rule of thumb i would recommend using straps only in assistance movements where you have a reason to. And in your normal deadlifts to use regular mixed grip, or hook grip, and if the grip becomes an issue/weakness then address it so that it wont hold your deadlift back.

Kalibaby, do you deadlift with people who know how to deadlift? one mistake people sometimes make is that they just pick up the barbell, which means that it is on the fingest to start with. You should rather get your hands around the barbel, get the callouses to the other side of the barbel, squeeze and twist to your starting position, and then pull. Much stronger that way.

[aliquis]

no, most people wouldnt use straps for heavy deads unless there is a problem.

I think all the powerlifters on our gym do, I wouldn't say "all" without checking, but yeah... Though I do understand that there develops local traditions and training techniques at each gym and within a group of lifters so that's why I put it as I did.
Fredrik Eriksson atleast don't seem to be willing to skip them and go easier, he may pull a set afterwards at a lighter weight without them and during his warmups sets but not when it counts.

For instance the deadlifts on vegan strength table have to be without straps.

And in powerlifting and most strongman comps you cant use straps either.

Well, farmers walks with straps would be rather lame, anyway yeah I know you can't use them during IPS contest either, so people don't use them at a contest but most likely using alternating grip.

I can lift any weight I actually can lift with alternating grip (I'd go as far as saying that it may be easier than using straps thanks to the straps slacking somewhat and making the start of the lift slower) and eventually any healthy-for-my-back-lifts could be done using regular (pronated) grip. Still some things gets heavier than that. For the snatch-grip deadlift or things like lots of reps SLDLs with slow tempo (maybe even more true for 10 rep slow tempo s-g dls?) I don't see why I should stop the set when my grip gives up even though my hamstring and glutes could had taken more? Kinda stupid when I'm training the later part ..

If someone need them use them, but try to work up better grip to. I guess bad grip isn't the end of the world.

Also in some cases such as pullups and rows I guess using straps and just letting the weight/bar "hang" may help you actually use/focus on your back instead of kinda "curling the weight" and use more of your arms.

But then again, straps can be useful - when used in a way which doesnt make your grip weaker. So for instance, if you have torn callous in your hand, you have back issue where mixed grip might cause problems, or you have done some other grip heavy stuff like farmers walks, then why not.

I always think alternating grip feels weird, it make the actual lift feel harder even though grip strength improve and I wonder if it may have a negative impact on the body somehow.

So as a rule of thumb i would recommend using straps only in assistance movements where you have a reason to. And in your normal deadlifts to use regular mixed grip, or hook grip, and if the grip becomes an issue/weakness then address it so that it wont hold your deadlift back.

And why would it be ok in assistance movements unless one are a powerlifter? .. Still same issue and problem, either always make sure the grip is up to it or not, why is the deadlift special?
I'd rather go without straps in the deadlift than during pullups since the deadlifts is the heavier and more demanding and therefor probably more beneficial for my grip strength. If I'm then tired in my grip afterwards or have tightened any callous I could use the straps during the pullups to not make that interfer with the rest of the exercise.

[KaliBaby]

do you fellas have examples of grip strengthening exercises then? I won't settle for the straps just yet. in general, I think my hands and wrists are weaker than they should be

also, the hook idea sounds neat... but I think people would roll their eyes at me in the gym. I'm already awkward enough haha.

[Speciell]

do you fellas have examples of grip strengthening exercises then? I won't settle for the straps just yet. in general, I think my hands and wrists are weaker than they should be

also, the hook idea sounds neat... but I think people would roll their eyes at me in the gym. I'm already awkward enough haha.

Post pics here and you will be envied, admired and cheered on!

[JP]

aliquis, aye local traditions differ greatly, but in general, if you are a strength trainer, you wouldnt train "bodyparts" anyway right?

So it doesnt really matter if you cant "feel" it in hamstrings before grip goes away - or vice versa, your hamstrings being fried but grip ok, so then are you supposed to make the lift easier on hamstrings?

i think it is good for a lifter who wants to do strength training, no matter how new, to start thinking training as lifts, rather than bodyparts.

But other than that, i agree with what you are saying

as a side note, straps and farmers dont go together for safety reason as well. If someone was to fall, arms would follow the farmers flying in opposite directions

[baldy]