so you want a massive back?

[guldukat]

My point exactally. I do forearm and grip work, but will not accept slower gains in my back just to have a stronger grip.

And why should you? You're a bodybuilder. No judge will ask you to squeeze cans of Coke onstage, but they'll sure as spit be looking at your hamstrings, traps and lower back development, a direct result of the weights w/ which you train.

It's just a matter of priorities guys. Ideally, we'd have no need of straps, but impairments or not, what difference does it make if a bodybuilder uses straps? It's a little less macho, but growth is the highest priority, not machismo or a bone-crushing grip.

I also don't understand the dichotomy: either you use straps and have a weak grip, or you don't and have a strong grip! They're not mutually exclusive; just train grip separately or use straps only when necessary, like C-ditty said.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Rosin bag. Hey, it's a technicality...

From the diamond to the iron.

I like it. BRAVO!

 

[satchboogie]

I use straps on the heavier weights... no shame here. If you think that using straps is cheating... then by all means, you are entitled to your beliefs. Bottom line, worry about how you train and that's it. If you are having nice growth and strength gains... damn what everyone else is telling you "should" be the way to do it.

People have been telling me for YEARS I shouldn't be lifting weights heavy with my shoulder... blah blah blah... I spit on them... and spit on anyone who tells me I'm cheating or hurting myself by using straps on weights I can't grasp. It's my world baby!!!

C-ditty

tell em how it is bro.. tell em

 

[JOKER47]

Soooo......

Since grip strength, or just strength for that matter, is not the priority for bodybuilders, why do you still post lift PR's? I would think it would make more sense to post a 1/4" gain in arm circumference, BF% reduction, posing technique, etc....

Just as a strength athlete would post essentially the opposite.


If you don't care about strength, why do you brag about it?


Joker

 

[Deleted member 33117]

Soooo......

Since grip strength, or just strength for that matter, is not the priority for bodybuilders, why do you still post lift PR's? I would think it would make more sense to post a 1/4" gain in arm circumference, BF% reduction, posing technique, etc....

Just as a strength athlete would post essentially the opposite.


If you don't care about strength, why do you brag about it?


Joker

Beacuse handling heavier weights can lead to gains in size and density. Having a strong grip, at the expenise of back, and hamstring development would be counterproductive for a bodybuilder though. If I can handle heavier weights with the straps, and further tax those muscles, then why not?

 

[PolishHammer1977]

How long have you been bodybuilding BBF?

honestly

 

[Deleted member 33117]

PH, I already told everyone a million times. LoL I started workout out in January of 2000. I didn't get really serious for about 5 or 6 months.

 

[JOKER47]

Beacuse handling heavier weights can lead to gains in size and density. Having a strong grip, at the expenise of back, and hamstring development would be counterproductive for a bodybuilder though. If I can handle heavier weights with the straps, and further tax those muscles, then why not?

I know that.
But why do you post about it? Why would other BB's care? Wouldn't they be more interested in how your body itself is developing? How are you increasing the size your arms? Rep ranges for lifts, not weight?

It doesn't make sense. BB's seem to be the first to brag about the weight they use, until someone from a different sport outlifts you, then suddenly you become a "true BB", and "don't care about strength, just development"...blah, blah, blah...

I can respect any sport anyone is into, but make up your mind. I have run into maybe 2-3 TRUE BB's here on EF, where the weight DOESN'T matter, the LOOK does. And I respect that.

Joker

 

[PolishHammer1977]

PH, I already told everyone a million times. LoL I started workout out in January of 2000. I didn't get really serious for about 5 or 6 months.

I amnot everyone and I never asked you.

Thank you.

 

[Deleted member 33117]

Ok JOKER, I see what you are saying, and I agree to a certain extent. Too many guys on here who bodybuild, but are not into powerlifting talk about setting PR's as though it was a priority. Honestly I do keep with it, because I see increases in numbers over a peroid of time, as a sign of growth, since sometimes it is very difficult to say if one has gained large amounts of muscle in an area because one could be gaining water and fat as well while trying to put on size. I think we should monitor or progress in that regard, but to worry about strength simply for the sake of strength doesn't make sence to a true bodybuilder, as you have stated.