Straps, Your Opinion

FrnkLft
FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So my grip strength is lacking for the kind of weight I am starting to work with. I am working out my forearms on one of my rest days just to improve their strength, but progress is what it is.

Whats your opinion on lifting straps? My grip is getting better, but it's still lagging behind.

Also, I am going to use them regardless, just curious to see how others feel.

Replies

  • Cajunmalakai
    Cajunmalakai Posts: 59 Member
    In my opinion, straps are sort of hit or miss. They can be helpful with very heavy loads, especially if your training for strength, but in general I find that they fall into the same group as lifting belts.

    The problem is that they can remove a lot of the mechanical function of proper lifting. Using the belt as an example, it provides support on heavy loads, but also takes away much of the need to stablize from the muscles supporting the lift, ultimately leading to weakness in those muscles..
    Straps can have the same issue. Your body becomes accustomed to doing heavy lifts with the aid of straps and can develop weakness when lifting without them.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    I only use them sometimes. I'll do warmup sets at my max for grip strength, then working sets at my max with straps. My grip strength is improving this way, but it also isn't holding me back. For example on my deadlift: Without straps ~150, with straps ~190.
  • WVprankster
    WVprankster Posts: 430 Member
    I keep a pair in my gym bag, but I use them sporadically. If I fail a lift, I'll try the same weight with them. Or, if I'm experimenting with new exercises to incorporate into my routine I'll try it with and without.
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    I only use them for deadlifts and shrugs, girls don't like rough hands...
  • blkpag1
    blkpag1 Posts: 34 Member
    They are pretty much needed for me to get a good shrug set in. For other back exercised I tend to use them occasionally.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Well it's been a bout 4 months since I posted here, and I have learned this:

    If you have straps, use them only when failing. This might seem obvious, but it bears mentioning.

    For those that follow this protocol, you WILL see your grip strength catchup pretty quickly. Some times you will still have weak days, but powering through will bring you benefits, provided the lift is still being done properly.

    It also bears mentioning that I ended up buying gloves to protect my hands (calluses were getting pinched between the bar and my palm), and they do help a bit with grip, at least in as much they help provide friction. I also never stuck to the "forearms" routine, so all my grip strength is coming from bentover rows, standing barbell calfraises, barbell shrugs, and deadlifts.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,993 Member
    Bare hands for me until I can't live 8 reps with a weight load. I use them for deads, pullups (weighted) and rows.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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