Wraps or Gloves?

jagodfrey08

I'm so irritated. Shrug day today, and I can't get a good enough grip on the bar to shrug. The weight isn't a problem. The bar just rolls right out of my hands with the over/over grip. I was told not to do over/under because it works a different muscle group. I had to back down the weight to keep the bar from rolling, and so I don't feel like I got the best shrug workout.

So, I want to know. Which would be a better option? Wraps or gloves? I have gloves but forgot them today in my haste to get to the gym. No wraps yet. If you suggest wraps, how do you use them? I have never used them before.

sammyliftsandeats

Is chalk allowed at your gym?

If it's a grip thing, I think chalk doesn't interfere with your grip as much as gloves might. I have no experience with wraps so I cannot say.

rdl81

Some gyms allow liquid chalk over normal

Or Get some lifting straps they go round your wrist in a loop but then you use the "tail" to wrap round the bar and u hold that as your grip goes they tighten on themselves . I have not explained it that well but they are cheap I use them on heavy rows as grip always goes before ur lats

jagodfrey08

Thanks!

Our gym has chalk, but they want you to seriously clean up after using it. So, I avoid it. I might give it a try next week and see if I like it. I have deadlifts tomorrow. I might use it then.

rdl81

Liquid chalk is much less messy

jagodfrey08

I will have to get some. I just absolutely can't deal with the swirling bar of doom when I do shrugs. So aggravating.

Cahgetsfit

Figure 8 straps as mentioned above help. I use gloves (not allowed chalk at my gym) and they help my grip otherwise I'd drop the barbell.

What I have come to LOVE are vantage grips http://vantagestrength.com.au/product/lift-master-versatile-grips/ - not for deadlifting, but for other pull stuff like lat pulldowns - really helps get the heavier on without losing grip!

DopeItUp

Use a trap bar, it won't try to roll out of your grip.

But really with shrugs I tend to just use straps. It gets really painful after a while with heavy weight for high rep sets.

jagodfrey08

I absolutely loathe the hex bar. I'm weird, but it makes me feel confined.

I will try my gloves next week and invest in a pair of wraps.

jessef593

Hook grip

jagodfrey08

I gotta read up on that. Thanks!

jagodfrey08

Just read about that. Sounds like a good idea! I will try it. I worry about injuring my thumbs with it, but I will see how it feels.

Z_I_L_L_A

Wraps or hook grip.

jessef593

Trust me you won't injury your thumbs unless you're lifting some insane weight. It's similar to learning guitar, it'll hurt at first but in time your thumb will grow adjusted to it. I was skeptical of it at first but now it's my dominant grip.

jagodfrey08

Thanks for that! I will definitely give it a go. Anything will be better than the rolling bar.

rybo

Another suggestion for Hook grip. It's ridiculous how much it increases my ability to deadlift.

jagodfrey08

So, I tried hook grip, and I have come to the conclusion that I have ridiculously short fingers because I can't get my fingers over my thumb. This is frustrating.

rdl81

I used to do crossfit and always found the hook grip difficult

fishgutzy

I use gloves. Then wrist wrap straps for those lifts when my grip strength hasn't caught up yet.