Do you need wrist straps to maximize back size?

[guitrole1]

Do you think that your back can reach it's full potential if you don't use straps to take the weight off of your hands? Lately my forearms are getting so pumped that I'm going to start using them will all pulling motions.

 

[blut wump]

Use straps when you need to but view your current state as an indication of having weak forearms.

I'd suggest not using straps until you reckon that you'd be compromising your workout to leave them off any longer. There are quite a few here who use straps only for their top sets of powershrugs or deads and go straps-free for everything else.

 

[guitrole1]

Thanks bro. Good point.

Yeah, it's normally at the last few sets of shrugs at the end of an intense back workout that I can barely hold on to the bar. I'll go as long as I can without, then put em on when I am compromising the back.

 

[mm107]

im strap free and belt free.

If its my MAX maybe ill strap up or belt up. But i train w/o just for the security of knowing i can always do it w/o assitance.

I dont think your comprosing your back in anyway by using straps, straps make it easier on the hands, not the back

 

[guitrole1]

I dont think your comprosing your back in anyway by using straps, straps make it easier on the hands, not the back

I didn't mean compromising your back by using straps. I meant by not using them. It seems to me that the back muscles are stronger than forearms, so by not using them, are you really ever using all of your back strength?

 

[SgtSlaughter]

It seems to me that the back muscles are stronger than forearms, so by not using them, are you really ever using all of your back strength?

That's exactly why I use them on my heaviest of sets... to truely fatique the targeted muscle group.

To each their own regarding goals and grip strength.

Regarding your original question, it seems a "yes" would be the answer as far as what you've described your forearms getting pumped and unable to grip the weight.

 

[GrandMaster]

i need a littel critique.....

i have naturally broad shoulders which is awsome... but its hard for me to put on mass...

should i be lowering the amt of weight on back routines??
i DO feel some pull in my Bi's during exersizes like cable Rows

 

[bignate73]

i need a littel critique.....

i have naturally broad shoulders which is awsome... but its hard for me to put on mass...

should i be lowering the amt of weight on back routines??
i DO feel some pull in my Bi's during exersizes like cable Rows

you need to feel pull in your biceps on a row. don't look at it like your back does all the work. its a compound movement meaning more than one joint is moving, with more than one joint...more than one muscle group is involved. keep your form correct and EVERYTHING will get work.

and for the original question, do you need straps?....no. the targeted muscle is everything involved in the motion. support and otherwise.

 

[GrandMaster]

Thanks Nate.
now, i understood that there is more then one muscle group in this.......
but my thing is, is that after my workout, im generally a little more sore in the arms then in the back, i dont think im isolating my back enough........any suggestions?

 

[xblitz44x]

I use the straps for my heaviest sets but am working towards eliminating them. For deadlifts or shrugs, set a certain weight as the minimum poundage that you'll use straps for. Maybe you have a hard time holding 365, so for a few weeks say anything under 365 you won't strap for. Then after a few weeks try your 365 and see how it feels. It should feel lighter so you could set your minimum weight to 395 or 405 and constantly work up.

 

[bignate73]

Thanks Nate.
now, i understood that there is more then one muscle group in this.......
but my thing is, is that after my workout, im generally a little more sore in the arms then in the back, i dont think im isolating my back enough........any suggestions?

ah!
if you are chasing soreness, slow down your negative. as long as you are progressing, i wouldnt worry about soreness.

 

[blut wump]

Thanks Nate.
now, i understood that there is more then one muscle group in this.......
but my thing is, is that after my workout, im generally a little more sore in the arms then in the back, i dont think im isolating my back enough........any suggestions?

The first suggestion I'd offer would be to stop thinking of back exercises as isolation exercises. Your back, linking into your posterior chain and transverse abdominus is the foundation of your strength and stability. Work the whole unit not isolated parts of it.

As for a technique for working towards dispensing with straps, xblitz44x's suggestion is what I'd recommend.