Texas Method

[Sinaku5]

Never used anything like that, so I can't really give you any advice on that. lulz

I actually used to have that prob before though, and I really focused on just controlling the weight and getting a good grip.

Yeah I hear ya - I figure as long as its not cheating I'm ok with it. Not like I'm using straps to DL.

[ch3v3ll3]

Yeah I hear ya - I figure as long as its not cheating I'm ok with it. Not like I'm using straps to DL.

Lol, what's wrong with straps for DLing?

If you don't want those wrist wraps send them over to me, brah. I hardly ever press without wrist wraps on. Ecto wrists of peace.

[Sinaku5]

Lol, what's wrong with straps for DLing?

If you don't want those wrist wraps send them over to me, brah. I hardly ever press without wrist wraps on. Ecto wrists of peace.

Lol nothing wrong with it. Everyone has their own goals.

I just wouldn't use them - at least not at this time. And I am going to keep my wrist wraps!!! My wrists are chit lol.

[ch3v3ll3]

Lol nothing wrong with it. Everyone has their own goals.

I just wouldn't use them - at least not at this time. And I am going to keep my wrist wraps!!! My wrists are chit lol.

I honestly really like straps for rows and pulldowns most of the time, but hate them for deads. There's a weird issue with tactile feedback that really throws off my form when I pull with them. Chalk+mixed grip always seems to fix it.

[Sinaku5]

I honestly really like straps for rows and pulldowns most of the time, but hate them for deads. There's a weird issue with tactile feedback that really throws off my form when I pull with them. Chalk+mixed grip always seems to fix it.

Yeah I hear ya - on pull downs and chins I sometimes use them. Theres no question that I can hold the weight on those lifts and you get a better muscle contraction from using the straps on those type of lifts. On DLs straps are typically used to pick up the weights, versus get a better muscle contraction and personally I'd rather lift the weight myself, but if something could help me get a better muscle contraction I'm all for it.

Is that what you mean too?

[ch3v3ll3]

Yeah I hear ya - on pull downs and chins I sometimes use them. Theres no question that I can hold the weight on those lifts and you get a better muscle contraction from using the straps on those type of lifts. On DLs straps are typically used to pick up the weights, versus get a better muscle contraction and personally I'd rather lift the weight myself, but if something could help me get a better muscle contraction I'm all for it.

Is that what you mean too?

Yea just about. I've only used straps on deads when the gym I'm training at won't let me use chalk.

[Sinaku5]

Yea just about. I've only used straps on deads when the gym I'm training at won't let me use chalk.

Bleh those gyms suck...mine doesn't allow chalk so I use liquid chalk next best thing.

[Opeth09]

I agree, straps for back movements work like a charm. I want to focus on squeezing and contracting my back, not worry about gripping the damn weight. However, as you guys said, I deadlift way better with chalk and not straps. Maybe its just mental, but I always adjust my straps so much before I do a set that I sort of psyche myself out before I even pull the weight. With chalk, its just grab the damn bar and pull it. No messin' around

[dk240t]

Never used anything like that, so I can't really give you any advice on that. lulz

I actually used to have that prob before though, and I really focused on just controlling the weight and getting a good grip.

Wrist bending? Get it stronger. Actually I think it's probably ok either way. Use them or not. If its really a weak point though, it might be better to add a little accessory lift to strengthen it rather than rely on a piece of equipment. I'm pro belt and chalk but anti other equipment in general.

Sometimes all that is needed is greater focus and emphasis on a weak point rather than equipment.

[Sinaku5]

Wrist bending? Get it stronger. Actually I think it's probably ok either way. Use them or not. If its really a weak point though, it might be better to add a little accessory lift to strengthen it rather than rely on a piece of equipment. I'm pro belt and chalk but anti other equipment in general.

Sometimes all that is needed is greater focus and emphasis on a weak point rather than equipment.

Welcome and how would u strengthen wrist? i feel like its similar to knee wraps expect u don't lift more with it on

Its nothing more than boxers do to keep their wrists safe.

And Ty for the comment

[Sinaku5]

I agree, straps for back movements work like a charm. I want to focus on squeezing and contracting my back, not worry about gripping the damn weight. However, as you guys said, I deadlift way better with chalk and not straps. Maybe its just mental, but I always adjust my straps so much before I do a set that I sort of psyche myself out before I even pull the weight. With chalk, its just grab the damn bar and pull it. No messin' around

All this. Great minds think alike.

What do u think of wrapping ur wrist?

[Opeth09]

All this. Great minds think alike.

What do u think of wrapping ur wrist?

I don't see a problem with that. If you consistently push heavy weight, your wrists are bound to get sore or tired. I know when I do close grip with 225 for example, my wrists get kind of achy feeling without my schiek wraps. I am not saying use them for every set, but when you are going to do a a heavy set, the last thing I want is my wrist strength to give out or they too bother me that I can't complete a set. Plus, its probably good for safety purposes too. If your wrist gives out and you drop a heavy barbell on your face, thats not good

[dk240t]

Welcome and how would u strengthen wrist? i feel like its similar to knee wraps expect u don't lift more with it on

Its nothing more than boxers do to keep their wrists safe.

And Ty for the comment

I don't know, it may be like juggz said, just try focusing on it more in bench, that may be all that's needed. Is it truly something that is holding you back or just a worry? More benching and focusing on keeping them straight will help, and same thing in press, or an acc exercise could get them more work. If it really is holding you back, I'd keep using the wraps probably and try to focus more on it is all probably. If its not holding you back, I might skip using them and focus on keeping them straight.

Might be much ado about nothing though. My wrists used to be bent in press pretty bad and I noticed it. I focuse on it some and got it better, but I don't think it ever held me back and other than being uncomfortable sometimes it was fine, I probably don't have them straight when I do press now, maybe I do, I'm not even sure.

[Sinaku5]

I don't see a problem with that. If you consistently push heavy weight, your wrists are bound to get sore or tired. I know when I do close grip with 225 for example, my wrists get kind of achy feeling without my schiek wraps. I am not saying use them for every set, but when you are going to do a a heavy set, the last thing I want is my wrist strength to give out or they too bother me that I can't complete a set. Plus, its probably good for safety purposes too. If your wrist gives out and you drop a heavy barbell on your face, thats not good

Yeah, ditto - keeping my wrists straight with 135lbs is no problem. When I'm doing max attempts tho I'm focusing too hard on other things.

I don't know, it may be like juggz said, just try focusing on it more in bench, that may be all that's needed. Is it truly something that is holding you back or just a worry? More benching and focusing on keeping them straight will help, and same thing in press, or an acc exercise could get them more work. If it really is holding you back, I'd keep using the wraps probably and try to focus more on it is all probably. If its not holding you back, I might skip using them and focus on keeping them straight.

Might be much ado about nothing though. My wrists used to be bent in press pretty bad and I noticed it. I focuse on it some and got it better, but I don't think it ever held me back and other than being uncomfortable sometimes it was fine, I probably don't have them straight when I do press now, maybe I do, I'm not even sure.

Its not holding me back, if anything I feel like I can bench less with the wraps on, but at the same time it keeps my wrists straight.

When I'm done benching I typically have aching wrists, but it doesn't restrict me from benching at the time.

TY for the insight tho!

[viennafat]

You've been killing the squats lately, Musid.
I'm always mirin. Great job, buddy. Keep kicking ass.
Strength all around is excellent. Bench, chins, rows, deadlifts, everything. Well done.


As far as the straps, wraps, and chalk go, I say go with whatever works/feels best.
Anything that may reduce pain or enable you to work the intended muscle better, go for it. (as long as it doesn't mask a glaring underlying weakness or issue)
For example, you have guys with a slipped disc in their lower back who will throw on a belt, put it tight as fuk, and still train.

On a personal note, I've found chalk to be a great help. But I know it cant be used at all gyms.
And I actually went through a phase where I was benching a lot and I started wrapping my wrists. It helped.
Now I don't need to anymore cuz I barely bench.

[Sinaku5]

You've been killing the squats lately, Musid.
I'm always mirin. Great job, buddy. Keep kicking ass.
Strength all around is excellent. Bench, chins, rows, deadlifts, everything. Well done.


As far as the straps, wraps, and chalk go, I say go with whatever works/feels best.
Anything that may reduce pain or enable you to work the intended muscle better, go for it. (as long as it doesn't mask a glaring underlying weakness or issue)
For example, you have guys with a slipped disc in their lower back who will throw on a belt, put it tight as fuk, and still train.

On a personal note, I've found chalk to be a great help. But I know it cant be used at all gyms.
And I actually went through a phase where I was benching a lot and I started wrapping my wrists. It helped.
Now I don't need to anymore cuz I barely bench.

Thank you Tom! In regards to the slipped disc issue - IIRC Rip said that he can't even squat above 185 without a belt cuz of an issue like that, but with a belt its much higher. Lol funny.

And looks like I have another +1 on the wraps .

[HunterMC6]

You've been killing the squats lately, Musid.
I'm always mirin. Great job, buddy. Keep kicking ass.
Strength all around is excellent. Bench, chins, rows, deadlifts, everything. Well done.


As far as the straps, wraps, and chalk go, I say go with whatever works/feels best.
Anything that may reduce pain or enable you to work the intended muscle better, go for it. (as long as it doesn't mask a glaring underlying weakness or issue)
For example, you have guys with a slipped disc in their lower back who will throw on a belt, put it tight as fuk, and still train.

On a personal note, I've found chalk to be a great help. But I know it cant be used at all gyms.
And I actually went through a phase where I was benching a lot and I started wrapping my wrists. It helped.
Now I don't need to anymore cuz I barely bench.

Interesting I might have to look into this. I got a 2 minor herniated disks in my lower back so I have been avoiding lifting as much as possible for the last month + but maybe a belt will allow me to at least start squatting light again.

[Sinaku5]

Interesting I might have to look into this. I got a 2 minor herniated disks in my lower back so I have been avoiding lifting as much as possible for the last month + but maybe a belt will allow me to at least start squatting light again.

Im pretty sure its what rip does.

I could be wrong tho. Ik i read in one of his books that he has trouble squatting over 185 without a belt cuz of his injuries

[viennafat]

Just to clarify, Im not endorsing using a belt or something else to be able to ignore a significant injury.

I'm all for injury prevention or using something to help you move forward in spite of something minor.
But if you have blown out a knee that needs therapy/recovery and by using tight knee wraps you can squat, doesn't mean you should squat.

Interesting I might have to look into this. I got a 2 minor herniated disks in my lower back so I have been avoiding lifting as much as possible for the last month + but maybe a belt will allow me to at least start squatting light again.

Fuk, that sucks.
I've had some back issues myself.

What was the direction given by the doc?
Just try to be cautious. I once came back from a back injury too soon and messed it up again, only it was worse than the first time.

[HunterMC6]

Just to clarify, Im not endorsing using a belt or something else to be able to ignore a significant injury.

I'm all for injury prevention or using something to help you move forward in spite of something minor.
But if you have blown out a knee that needs therapy/recovery and by using tight knee wraps you can squat, doesn't mean you should squat.



Fuk, that sucks.
I've had some back issues myself.

What was the direction given by the doc?
Just try to be cautious. I once came back from a back injury too soon and messed it up again, only it was worse than the first time.

Well I don't know exactly I have to call them Monday so it will be a little while before squats a DL's will happen but I think upper body and some leg isolation will be happening again soon.

[nads786]

http://stronglifts.com/how-you-can-a...e-bench-press/

Check out this article if your getting wrist pain while benching, it really helped me out.

[Sinaku5]

http://stronglifts.com/how-you-can-a...e-bench-press/

Check out this article if your getting wrist pain while benching, it really helped me out.

Thanks Nadeem! Yeah I saw that article before and that's essentially exactly the problem that I'm having - the wraps really helped force my wrist up right tho.

[Sinaku5]

This image cracked me up!




Squats
270x5x5

I tried a full arms around the bar grip for the first time in a long time and I hate it. Felt like it was giving me golfer's elbow and it felt like I was using more quads than anything. Funny how such a small change could make such a huge difference. On the last set I went back to thumbs around the bar grip.

Bench
210x5x5

I used the wraps on these and they helped tremendously. My forearms are more sore than they normally are after a workout, and I'm pretty sure its because the wraps were forcing me to keep my wrists in line with the bar.

OHP
145x1x4
125x3x5

I was going to go for a Max effor on OHP, but only got 4 reps... I'm pretty confident that on ID I should be able to get all 5.

BB Curl
90x1x8
90x2x6

BB Shrugs
185x1x8
135x2x15

BB Rows
165x3x8

Decline sit ups
BW + 45lbsx3x8

Good Mornings
95x3x8

I also did some face pulls but nothing intense. I'm already ready for recovery day

[Sen8or]

So much of this sport is in the fine details, not just shifting the weight (which is a large part of it), but how you do it, as you say, little changes to one aspect can make it feel totally different.

SOlid session

[moshvr]

You can be jealous of my DB presses ... but I'm super jealous of your squats man.

Great work!

[fittofattofit]

^^^^^^
I'm with Michael.

You killed it on your intensity day Musid: squatting 310 x 5; benching 240 x 4; deads 345 x 5
You're adding to your strength every week. So jealous of your squats (and your benching and your deads )

And I vote for chalk!

[juicydanglers]

275

now

[dk240t]

I'm totally going to start squatting in the curl rack.

[Juggernaut0]

This image cracked me up!

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8406790533_723d6072df_z.jpg[img]

lol @ pic, and noice volume work...


But....

BB Shrugs
185x1x8
135x2x15

[ch3v3ll3]

270 x 5 x 5 is damn solid work dude. Are you belting up for those sets?