Lifting straps or lifting hooks?

trialstyle
trialstyle Posts: 68 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I was doing pull ups and was pretty serious until I hurt my muscle near my elbow (tennis elbow?). I don’t think it was caused by my pull ups using a bar, but think it was hurt trying to use the Metolius rock rings. These are killer on grip and I believe it strained my arm to the point when I did a regular pull up it burned really bad!

So now my arm seems fully healed now (has been several months without pull-ups) and I want to get back in to it. I was told I should use a strap to ease into my pull up routine without causing injury again as they take the weight off your grip.

They make two designs the strap and one with a hook. I like the hook because my bar is so high I have to jump and grab it and won’t have to wrap the strap around it.
Anyone used these and recommend one style over the other?
Thanks!
Dean

Links to the straps and the rock ring I used.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3369613&mr:trackingCode=8F2C5FC2-1B5B-E011-BB8E-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=24486676791&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=33592336791&mr:match=&mr:keyword=&{copy:iq_id}=&{copy:camp}=

http://www.modells.com/product/harbinger_20500_big_grip_no-slip_padded_nylon_lifting_straps-023421121300.do?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&gclid=COCslIHyhrYCFaI7MgodrlsA7w

http://www.rei.com/product/793157/metolius-rock-rings-3d-training-holds

Replies

  • GravyBrah
    GravyBrah Posts: 34 Member
    I would suggest you start doing exercises to for grip and forearm strength. There's no need for you to be using straps for pull ups unless you are pulling 3 times your bodyweight and your grip is giving out before your lats are exhausted. You'll benefit more from training properly rather than using a band aid solution. Especially if you are a climber since you are using metoilius holds. You definitely don't want to rely on aids, they will just make your grip weaker.

    Your previous injury could either be a result of over extension of the tendons and ligaments (too much dead hang at the bottom position) or under recovering between training sessions.
  • Loftearmen
    Loftearmen Posts: 380
    I agree with Young_Gravy. There's no reason to use straps. Just slowly develop the strength in your arm
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    I would probably work on things like deadlifts, hammer curls, farner walks and wrist curls to strengthen grip. Straps are for deadlifts and similar lifts, though to improve grip just don't use straps for deads.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I prefer straps over hooks. When I want to let go, I can let go easier with straps. I agree with the other guys that over time, your grip will improve to where you don't need straps. But if you're nursing an injury and straps will let you train hard thru the injury, by all means get the straps.
  • trialstyle
    trialstyle Posts: 68 Member
    Everything said here makes perfect sense, I really intended to use them like DavPul pointed out. Since my fore are was wasted - most likely over used as Young_Gravy suggested, I was hoping to work through this. I did my normal pull ups today without any straps, and no issues with my arms!
    This time around I’m going to take it easy and give more rest between my pull-ups.

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