Belts, gloves and straps.

pjp1125

I won't use them. Why? My thought is if I can't do it without them, I need to work on whatever it is I can't do. I do allow myself the benefit of chalk, though. How about you?

Punktorian

I don't do squats and deadlifts to strengthen my core, it is just an added benefit. If I wanted to do that I'd throw a few plates on my back and do planks, so I do use a belt on my higher sets to lift as much as I can. I use straps every so often, almost always for lat pull downs as they allow you to relax your biceps and really focus on the lats. Every so often when I've already done a ton of reps I'll throw on straps for deadlifts, never for a max pull though. Then again I could hold my max at the top for half a minute without much of a problem so grip strength isn't an issue there. Chalk should always be used.

I completely agree with you on the idea of working on what you can't do. If it is a case of not being able to hold onto a max pull then staying away from straps is the way to go until you can hold onto it without a problem. Unless it is a case of your grip being over trained then a week with straps and giving your grip a break can be helpful.

HelloDan

Depends on what you're trying to achieve, and why you're using such equipment.

When competing, it would be foolish to give up the advantage of any piece of equipment which is permitted, in this instance, I am thinking, wrist and knee wraps and a belt.

When training, it again depends on what you're doing. For example, when doing pulls, I will most likely use straps, because I don't want to tire out my grip, and then be unable to do full cleans and snatches.

I think it also depends if you're using the accessories as a crutch to cover weakness, or as a performance enhancement.

Hendrix7

Depends on what you're trying to achieve, and why you're using such equipment.

When competing, it would be foolish to give up the advantage of any piece of equipment which is permitted, in this instance, I am thinking, wrist and knee wraps and a belt.

When training, it again depends on what you're doing. For example, when doing pulls, I will most likely use straps, because I don't want to tire out my grip, and then be unable to do full cleans and snatches.

I think it also depends if you're using the accessories as a crutch to cover weakness, or as a performance enhancement.

Exactly.

If your training heavy rows or deadlifts.............you are training heavy rows and deadlifts not your grip.

Why risk letting your grip limit the benefits from those movements when you can easily train grip separately at the end of the workout or on a separate day?

pjp1125

I understand the grip thing and it has been an issue, particularly when doing shrugs and rows. Maybe I'll give straps try. I won't do a belt, though.

jonlfischer

I rarely use either, just don't like the feel of them. Gloves with wrist support if my wrists are hurting, other than that chalk it up

KatLifter

I use straps for deadlifts. I don't think that I should lift less because of grip strength when the rest of my body can do it. I'll do my warm up sets without straps as much as possible to work on building my grip, but my working sets I'll use straps.

lilawolf

I agree about the belt and straps, but I am not sure why you would add gloves into that. Gloves don't help you with grip strength or anything else. I wear them to reduce calluses and pain to my hands. I've also had a bar slip and turn before when trying to do a power clean and that bloody HURT. My hands get a bit clammy so I need the help. Chalk is just messy (particularly if your hands sweat) and also is not available at my gym.

The belts/straps seem like they would just make your body more unbalanced if they help you compensate for something weak. Maybe it doesn't matter if you are body building or something, but if you want to build strength that is usable in the real world, then you are shooting yourself in the foot.

ETA: I agree with a poster above: If your grip/other weak muscle will be worked out in another way to build it up, then I don't see a problem.

Chief_Rocka

I'd rather my max squat be limited by what my quads, hams, and glutes can handle. If I want some extra core work, I can do that separately,

HelloDan

I've also had a bar slip and turn before when trying to do a power clean and that bloody HURT. My hands get a bit clammy so I need the help. Chalk is just messy (particularly if your hands sweat) and also is not available at my gym.

How does a bar slip during a clean?

Also chalk is exactly what you want for sweaty hands, if your gym doesn't have it, get some liquid chalk. Will do the job just the same, but with no mess.

Mrsallypants

I might begin using straps after my overhand grip fails on deadlifts or used hook grip to avoid any biceps tendon ruptures from mixed grip.

pjp1125

Bit the bullet and bought straps. I like them, especially for upright rows, shrugs and dumbell lat pulls. I can do significantly more weight with them.

j75j75

I don't use a belt or straps. I use gloves only because my hands get pretty torn up without them

j75j75

I've also had a bar slip and turn before when trying to do a power clean and that bloody HURT. My hands get a bit clammy so I need the help. Chalk is just messy (particularly if your hands sweat) and also is not available at my gym.

How does a bar slip during a clean?

Also chalk is exactly what you want for sweaty hands, if your gym doesn't have it, get some liquid chalk. Will do the job just the same, but with no mess.

I had the bar slip during a clean once. Only because I had dislocated a finger the day before and my grip was s*** :grumble: :grumble:

jaysonhijinx

I used to use straps quite a lot when doing bent over rows, shrugs and deadlifts cause I didn't like using mixed grip. Since it was only training and not a comp I was fine using the straps. One day I forgot them and started using the hooked grip and chalk and haven't used my straps on a heavy deadlift since.

I will note that II haven't attempted a PR deadlift without straps as I had gotten injured (ruptured L3 disc) a few months ago and am still not back at 100%. Can't wait to see how it goes though!

AllanMisner

I had an umbilical hernia, which was fixed by surgery. I now wear a belt on squats, deadlifts, leg press and hack squats. I will occasionally use straps, but only when I want to ensure grip strength is not limiting what I want to accomplish with that particular exercise/set.

retrobyte

Many years ago when I first started weight training I bought a belt and gloves so I could look cool just like the other guys at my gym (LOL). But then I started reading and learning more about training smart, properly and intensely, and realised that the belt and gloves were unnecessary props that were holding back my progress.

Grip strength was a big issue for me when I began deadlifting heavy, so I did use straps for a couple of months while I did specific grip training separately. I soon found that my grip strength caught up with my deadlift ability, and from then onwards I replaced the straps with chalk. Heavy deadlifts are the only lifts I use chalk for.