Thoughts on using lifting straps?

rcswent · 08-14-2008, 06:34 PM

Hey Ladies!
Now that I'm beginning to up my lifting weight, I noticed I have a harder time keeping good grip (especially on the barbell when doing deadlifts). Have any of you found lifting straps to be a good investment?

jsmircich · 08-14-2008, 06:50 PM

I love my straps. I primarily only use them on certain exercises like deads and rows. I have on occassion, if I just want to go all out use them on almost all my back exercises. However, since I'm coming back form a neck/back injury I haven't done this (I don't want to overdo it since they allow me to move more weight and I don't want to re-injure myself.) As for an investment they are actually very cheap, (plus you can wash them

)

I am the only girl in my gym that I have ever see using them, but then again most of the guys don't use them either, just those that lift heavy. Most are training for a specific sport or just to stay in shape

CPX · 08-14-2008, 07:16 PM

When I ran into that problem I started to do grip exercises (mainly rack pulls where I'd hold the last rep until my grip failed). That is another option you have if you're interested.

imperfectly_lou · 08-14-2008, 07:24 PM

I avoid using them the majority of the time as I wish to improve my grip strength. I will use them occasionally if I want to max out on my final set.

kimlin85 · 08-15-2008, 03:12 AM

its better to try not to use them. you don't want your grip strength to be lacking. but if you're doing a super heavy movement theres nothing wrong with it. just don't use them as a crutch all the time.

also on deadlifts using mixed grip helps a ton.

smdiskin · 08-15-2008, 03:25 AM

I use them on my heavy sets... for deadlifts...
I got stuck at about 70kg (154lbs) and from the day I got them I was immediately able to add some 45lbs to the lift... to where I can lift some 265 now...
Later I started using them on rows etc... and in the heaveir sets it does make a difference...
I see people using them for bench presses and often wonder why? They can be great for pulling exercises... but don't use them on the lighter sets so you can still build up your grip strength...

Kmart23 · 08-15-2008, 03:29 AM

I use them both for deads and lat pulldowns. I find them really useful, or else I could not get my potential reps before hands give out.

kimlin85 · 08-15-2008, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smdiskin

I see people using them for bench presses and often wonder why?

LOL, good question.

margotspera · 08-15-2008, 06:51 AM

Get em! $10 bucks and you will be amazed at how much you can lift! True that they are a crutch for grip strength, but incorporate them and watch your body grow!

Coco9 · 08-15-2008, 09:51 AM

I use them when doing hanging leg rises & sometimes upright rows. You should have a pair to use them just in case. Is better to use them while you improve your grip strength and work your way out of them than not do that last rep because your grip gave out.

greyhair · 08-15-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcswent

Hey Ladies!
Now that I'm beginning to up my lifting weight, I noticed I have a harder time keeping good grip (especially on the barbell when doing deadlifts). Have any of you found lifting straps to be a good investment?

Of all the equipment I use, straps are #1.
The grip is used on virtually every movement in the gym.
If somebody said they do 150 sets of bench press, you'd think they were crazy.
Well, you probably grip the bar 150 or more times in a session.
Your grip will fatigue.
So, why forgo a good dead lift because your grip fails?

BTW, buy the white cotton ones. They wash nicely.

kitebean · 08-16-2008, 02:17 AM

I used them for maybe the first 4 or 5 months, only for deadlifts....just to get used to lifting heavy

I dumped them after that and now use mixed grip and in combo with my gloves it works a treat.....

windsrprk · 08-16-2008, 08:27 AM

True story: Two weeks ago I was doing SLDL's (total weight w/bar 110lbs) and my grip weakened at the 7th rep. I was able to finish (was doing 3 sets of 10) but my focus greatly shifted from hamstrings/glutes to my grip. I bought a pair of lifting straps and the following week was able to concentrate exclusively on hamstrings/glutes during that exercise.

I train forearms twice each week, doing one exercise on Mondays and one exercise on Fridays. I, too, used to think "keep training my grip, I don't need straps." Ya know what? In the end I would rather use straps where necessary in order to keep improving. Best $8 I ever spent!

ktjfin · 08-16-2008, 09:27 AM

Whatever works best for you. I personally like using mixed grip or chalk to help me through deadlifts. Or just work on your grip strength. No problem using straps though

sammy22 · 08-17-2008, 03:52 PM

best investment i ever made use them for deads, shrugs and side bends.

also, a weight lifting belt is great for the deads also!

mickapoo · 03-18-2009, 09:38 PM

I bought straps some time ago and couldn't manage to get my second wrist wrapped once I had done the first. My fingers and hands are very small and I just couldn't reach it around. Any of you ladies have any advice? Since then I've been using hooks but they still aren't tight like they should be.

kimm4 · 03-18-2009, 09:41 PM

I'm a heavy lifter and I've never used them. I got my gloves and I use chalk that's it.

Mustrainhard · 03-18-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimm4

I'm a heavy lifter and I've never used them. I got my gloves and I use chalk that's it.

^^^^this. The grip fails because the forearm muscles are lacking, which is a major limiting factor for heavy pulls. There is no need to use straps, unless you are an elite-level powerlifter, where 10 lbs makes the diference between winning and losing. Use straps now, and you will never get to that stage. Chalk works.

Mindi911 · 03-19-2009, 12:39 AM

If you are a bodybuilder then use them because why you lack grip strength or lack thereof get in your way to lift the heavier weights...

If you are concerned about your grip strength or you are thinking about becoming a powerlifter then I would suggest you don't use them and work on your grip strength.

freebirdmac · 03-19-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindi911

If you are a bodybuilder then use them because why you lack grip strength or lack thereof get in your way to lift the heavier weights...

This is why I just started using them. I borrowed my trainer's then on DBX's recommendation (OV35 forum) bought versa grips. Now my trainer uses them instead of straps. My forearms are fine, my fingers/grip are the weak part. The nice thing about versa grips, besides the foam around the wrist, is that you don't have to do all of the wrapping that's required with straps.

Twerp · 03-19-2009, 07:07 AM

So... what exercises do you do for your forearms and grip strength?

I don't use wraps for the same reason I don't use a belt - I don't want to create a point of weakness. What happens on that workout when you leave your wraps at home?

smdiskin · 03-19-2009, 07:21 AM

Well... I'm not an elite lifter by any stretch and after years of doing DLs etc with no straps and being stuck at 155lbs, and really struggling to do more than a few reps.... I got straps and the next workout I added 45lbs to the lift and within a few months was able to lift 265... which I would never do without.... my problem has always been small hands which barely fit around a standard Olympic bar and so the bar remains on my fingertips.... and I reckon that I'll get the 300lbs... but not without straps... I still do the lighter sets and other exercises without... they are there as an aid so I can do the exercise with the body parts it is supposed to hit... and when I want to do forearm/grip stuff I can do that... but the DL is part of my leg or back workout...

freebirdmac · 03-19-2009, 07:33 AM

^^^My small hands are the issue too. My fingertips get torn up or start sliding off the bar. Forearms gets worked indirectly on many exercises but I'll also do wrist curls/reverse wrist curls to help build them up. But again, it's not my forearms that are the hold up. My grip has increased but I don't do anything special to help it out. Straps or the versa grips do just fine.

Leave them at home? Phfftt! I learned to leave all of my crap in my car

smdiskin · 03-19-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twerp

So... what exercises do you do for your forearms and grip strength?

I don't use wraps for the same reason I don't use a belt - I don't want to create a point of weakness. What happens on that workout when you leave your wraps at home?

I do a sort of wrist curl where you let the bar roll the whole way out to your fingertips... if that makes any sense.... as well as jus the incidental stuff they get from BB rows, pulldowns etc...

dvsness · 03-19-2009, 09:57 AM

I use straps (Versa Grips) when lifting heavy for back. I don't use them on lighter sets. If my grip fatigues before my back is taxed, I am doing my physique a disservice. I work grip/forearms separately, on leg day. We have a plate loaded grip machine that is fantastic.

kimm4 · 03-19-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twerp

So... what exercises do you do for your forearms and grip strength?

I don't use wraps for the same reason I don't use a belt - I don't want to create a point of weakness. What happens on that workout when you leave your wraps at home?

Exactly!^^ I don't use a belt either.

Twerp · 03-19-2009, 12:47 PM

I guess it's a difference in mentality. For me, using straps and belts and aids don't allow you to train the supplementary muscles as needed. You know the saying A chain is only as strong as the weakest link - well, I've seen too many guys destroy elbows and tear muscles lifting weight their body wasn't ready to lift. If you can't squat 200lbs without a belt, in my opinion you're not ready to squat 200lbs. I don't think you're doing your physique a disservice at all, as a matter of fact I would argue the opposite.

A prime example is when I was powerlifting, a guy who I trained with did deadlifts up to 505lbs without wraps, just using chalk. On his own, he couldn't lift anymore, but by putting wraps on he could add 50lbs... until his bicep tore completely from the bone and he was about 6-8 months not lifting anything heavier than a fork.

But I guess if you have smaller hands, there's not really too much you can do.... What about farmers walks, or static holds... I sometimes load up my weight belt with as much weight as I can and grab the chin-up bar and just hang on for as long as I can.

dvsness · 03-19-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twerp

...

You obviously don't have scoliosis (re: belt). And I am not powerlifting.

needforchange · 03-19-2009, 12:56 PM

Would doing these grip and forearm exercises help me with bicep curls? I often find that I feel like I can do a few more reps but my wrist start to get too tired and hurt and prevent me from busting out those last few reps or increasing my weight. I'm guessing I need to stregthen my forearms?

freebirdmac · 03-19-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needforchange

Would doing these grip and forearm exercises help me with bicep curls? I often find that I feel like I can do a few more reps but my wrist start to get too tired and hurt and prevent me from busting out those last few reps or increasing my weight. I'm guessing I need to stregthen my forearms?

Yes. That and wrist wraps Lol.