Barbell Shrugs- Lifting Straps Necessary?

[MafdetX]

My barbell shrugs have started to get really hard, I'm really struggling with my grip right now so it's hard for me to throw on more weight.

I just did 3x5 at 260 and my grip strength made it really hard for me to hold the bar. I know that this is still relatively light so I'm not sure what I should do.

Do you guys think that using lifting straps might be necessary at this point? Or does anybody have any advice on the exercise in general? Thanks.

[RuLe]

Originally Posted by MafdetX

My barbell shrugs have started to get really hard, I'm really struggling with my grip right now so it's hard for me to throw on more weight.

I just did 3x5 at 260 and my grip strength made it really hard for me to hold the bar. I know that this is still relatively light so I'm not sure what I should do.

Do you guys think that using lifting straps might be necessary at this point? Or does anybody have any advice on the exercise in general? Thanks.

Most likely is your grip.. strength in your grip varies from person to person.. straps are never a bad thing.

[Big Slim DaDDy]

I have small hands so I use the smith machine. Grip gives out WAY too soon with a free barbell. I have gloves that I haven't tried yet I'm probably gonna get straps so I can quit being a smith machine douche.

[NateDG72]

Chalk could help if your gym allows it. You can try doing grip work periodically also. If all else fails use some straps.

[MafdetX]

Originally Posted by NateDG72

Chalk could help if your gym allows it. You can try doing grip work periodically also. If all else fails use some straps.

I've been doing forearm work 3 days a week. I haven't really tried direct grip work yet though, I don't really know what to do at my gym.

Any suggestions for direct grip exercises?

Which is better chalk or straps? I know a lot of people use chalk on heavy deads

[Big Slim DaDDy]

Originally Posted by MafdetX

Any suggestions for direct grip exercises?

You can do static holds which is just holding a barbell or dumbell for as long as you can. You can buy those captain of crush grippers.

[ramrod63]

Originally Posted by MafdetX

I've been doing forearm work 3 days a week. I haven't really tried direct grip work yet though, I don't really know what to do at my gym.

Any suggestions for direct grip exercises?

Which is better chalk or straps? I know a lot of people use chalk on heavy deads

chalk, if youre gym doesnt allow, use liquid chalk
do farmers walks, did it for the 1st time today and it destroyed my forearms

you can use straps, they're really useful but your grip wont be getting any stronger so dont use them too much if you do

[pepsiracer24]

I use straps and chalk for shrugs because I go 20 reps at 500 lbs. I can't hold that much weight for that long without the straps.

But for deadlifts, I use just chalk and an over/under grip. And I've gotten 425 that way.

I also use straps for dumbbell shrugs as the dumbbells slip/roll out of my hands. But only on 100+ lb dumbbells. If I go lighter than that I use chalk and grip as hard as I can.

[SouthernLord]

Originally Posted by pepsiracer24

I use straps and chalk for shrugs because I go 20 reps at 500 lbs. I can't hold that much weight for that long without the straps.

But for deadlifts, I use just chalk and an over/under grip. And I've gotten 425 that way.

I also use straps for dumbbell shrugs as the dumbbells slip/roll out of my hands. But only on 100+ lb dumbbells. If I go lighter than that I use chalk and grip as hard as I can.

I would like to see this.........

OP: Use straps for your shrugs. They are best trained heavy and straps are usually mandatory for those heavy sets.

[Big Slim DaDDy]

Originally Posted by pepsiracer24

I use straps and chalk for shrugs because I go 20 reps at 500 lbs. I can't hold that much weight for that long without the straps.

But for deadlifts, I use just chalk and an over/under grip. And I've gotten 425 that way.

I also use straps for dumbbell shrugs as the dumbbells slip/roll out of my hands. But only on 100+ lb dumbbells. If I go lighter than that I use chalk and grip as hard as I can.

You shrug more than you deadlift? So your traps are stronger than your whole body?

[MafdetX]

Thanks for the responses.

I think I'm going to work on my forearms/grip a little more and get straps. I thought it would look ridiculous using straps for anything less than 3 plates but I guess it doesn't really matter.

[pepsiracer24]

Originally Posted by Big Slim DaDDy

You shrug more than you deadlift? So your traps are stronger than your whole body?

Yes, I shrug more than I deadlift. 5 plates + 2 1/2 on each side = 500lbs. I'm also using straps for the shrugs versus I don't use straps on deadlift. And I haven't deadlifted in over a month now, so it's probably way off now.

And I'm probably not doing them right, but with my shrugs once I have momentum going I kinda cheat and use it to move the weight up and down. But I do keep my feet flat.

[_Dominik_]

Originally Posted by MafdetX

My barbell shrugs have started to get really hard, I'm really struggling with my grip right now so it's hard for me to throw on more weight.

I just did 3x5 at 260 and my grip strength made it really hard for me to hold the bar. I know that this is still relatively light so I'm not sure what I should do.

Do you guys think that using lifting straps might be necessary at this point? Or does anybody have any advice on the exercise in general? Thanks.

If you're only interested in bigger traps then you'll eventually need straps to get the most out of them.

Chalk and a bar with decent knurling both help, but using straps when your grip is failing to load up the traps with more weight for more reps is the way to go. You can always do dedicated grip exercises if grip/forearm development is also a priority.

[brighamw]

Originally Posted by Big Slim DaDDy

I have small hands so I use the smith machine. Grip gives out WAY too soon with a free barbell. I have gloves that I haven't tried yet I'm probably gonna get straps so I can quit being a smith machine douche.

SMITH is great for shrugs, front & back, it doesn't make you a "smith machine douche". People who fall into that trap and don't use everything at their gym to develop their entire body's are only holding themselves back.

OP, get some straps, they'll help you out. You're trying to work your traps right, if you need to work on your grip then do so as well, separately. But don't let your grip hold you back on your trap development, straps will help you out with your back workouts as well...

[-Lucifer]

Originally Posted by brighamw

SMITH is great for shrugs, front & back, it doesn't make you a "smith machine douche".

Agreed. I love the Smith for doing shrugs. I squeeze on top for 2 seconds and my traps feel great. Way better than barbell shrugs.

Db. shrugs are the next best thing in my opinion.

[two choices]

Originally Posted by brighamw

SMITH is great for shrugs, front & back, it doesn't make you a "smith machine douche". People who fall into that trap and don't use everything at their gym to develop their entire body's are only holding themselves back.

OP, get some straps, they'll help you out. You're trying to work your traps right, if you need to work on your grip then do so as well, separately. But don't let your grip hold you back on your trap development, straps will help you out with your back workouts as well...

this, too many people preach that straps weaken grip strength. my opinion is that you should train your grip separately and if it catches up, fine. if not, don't let a weak grip hold you back from a good trap workout, or a good back workout.

i've literally got the smallest hands i've ever seen on a grown man, so i have no hope of holding weights that i need for rack pulls, or db rows, things like that. (yes, serious. i bought atv gloves that were child larges. )

[Blindead]

I only support straps when not using them would limit you on your main lifts too much. If you have to drop your deadlift 15 pounds for a week or two to get off the straps, do it imo. Or just do your first few sets and/or warmups with no straps + double overhand.

[Whiteboii3000]

i believe building trap size has alot more to do with range of motion and gettin a real solid contraction then useing heavy weight. so concentrate on range of motion, if u cant lift the weight and hold at the top for a couple of seconds, your probably going too heavy.