Grip fail on deadlift

[Konstantin]

My grip is really letting me down on deadlift. The hand just opens and the rest of the body can do the lift, the hands just let me down. Today I was doing 115kg and had a number of annoying fails before eventally swapping to alternate grips.

Does anyone else have this problem or is this just me? Any tips? I'm doing plenty of work with COC and pull ups, so maybe the grip will get stronger but any advice would be great.

[knackers]

Just have to keep practicing. It will get stronger. Frequent deadlifting definitely helps grip.
If your hand is opening up because you are getting cut into by the knurling, get some chalk.
If it is just grip strength alone thats causing you to let go, you just have to keep at it, one exercise that would be good is dumbbell shrugs, pick the heaviest set that you can just struggle to get 10 reps with on the first set and do 5 sets till your grip gives out on each set.
Thats what Im going to do anyway. Also I think you are onto a winner with COC's, I can't wait to get a set of those.
Also, yes definitely, pull-ups and chin-ups are great for grip too.

[chewybaws]

Just keep doing everything without straps. When you finish your last set of deadlifts hold it for as long as you can. Rows/pullups are good for building grip strength.

Hook grip may also be worth a try, it hurts like fuck to start with but gets easier. Because it's double overhand it'll build your grip evenly.


For extra grip work I like plate pinches, plate pinch curls. Pullup bar hangs (also switching grips mid air is hard on the hands and keeps you from getting bored).


Back in the day for deadlifts I'd just use a normal double overhand grip on deadlifts till I could feel it start to slip then switch to mixed grip for the next rep. But now I just prefer hook grip, keeps everything symmetrical.

[Talyn]

Do you lift with double-overhand or mixed grip? If you're still using double-overhand you should switch to mixed grip immediately. Hook grip is also an option as chewy said.

COC won't help much with deadlift grip. The best thing to do is just to deadlift more.

You might also find static holds useful. Find the heaviest set of dumbells in your gym and hold them at your sides for as long as you can.

[Catt Queen]

When using a mixed grip, is it best to switch over/under each set or each rep?

[Konstantin]

Thanks Knackers Talyn and Chewybaws, all helpful stuff I'm going to try. I've been relying too much on my COC1 to build grip, I think I'll try some long holds. Although I have started doing holds with COC (not just reps), maybe that will help.

Last night when grip was stopping me complete my deadlift plan I did use a mixed grip - I prefer double overhand because I am so inflexible that mixed feels difficult. Mixed grip and it goes up.

[JP]

When using a mixed grip, is it best to switch over/under each set or each rep?

Last time I switched directions was maybe 4 years ago

K, usually one way will feel a bit more natural, I don't think there it's much mileage in sticking to normal double over hand, no one can pull big that way. Mixed, hook or straps.

[baldy]

When using a mixed grip, is it best to switch over/under each set or each rep?

Last time I switched directions was maybe 4 years ago

I thought about this a lot, used to switch every set but then worried that it was not enough warmup, so stopped switching.
Also I have something sore in my left hand when under grip, goes away if I over grip.

[Lordmuppet]

When using a mixed grip, is it best to switch over/under each set or each rep?

Last time I switched directions was maybe 4 years ago

I thought about this a lot, used to switch every set but then worried that it was not enough warmup, so stopped switching.
Also I have something sore in my left hand when under grip, goes away if I over grip.

fair enough but it should be noted that, to my knowledge, conventional wisdom says to switch it up

[knackers]

Im leaning towards giving the hook grip a go from now on.

The point about it being more even and what not makes sense.

[Talyn]

I've been deadlifting mixed grip with my left arm facing out, right facing in, exclusively for about two years. I never switch it up, it feels wrong.

My arms don't look any different.

But then again I do a lot of indirect bicep/forearm work from chinups, rows & pulldowns so it balances out.

[JP]

It will lead to uneven back development eventually.

But then again, human body is rarely even.

[Mellos]

It will lead to uneven back development eventually.

But then again, human body is rarely even.

That´s why I use the hook grip. I think that just maybe it may enable me to lift more.
Though I don´t think it really matters.

But there is one clear advantage to the hook grip. It never. Ever. Fails on singles.

[baldy]

But there is one clear advantage to the hook grip. It never. Ever. Fails on singles.

And when it does fail it is very sore. I have had it fail on heavy singles, also does not suite people with small hands.

Clearly there are three correct answers
1) Keep it the same
2) Change it every set
3) HTFU and use hook.

[Konstantin]

I'm going mixed grip, it feels odd but the bar doesn't slip out. Got a Pb attempt tonight so we'll see where I end up.