Straps for deads...? yay or nay...?

[DZLS]

I did deads this morning, and the weight felt pretty good, but my grip started failing me on the later reps of each set...

came to the point that i about dropped the weight from just below my knees on the final decent cause i just couldn't hold it any longer...

i was kind bumbed as i felt i could do more...

should i get some straps or should i stick with the weight until my grip can catch up...?

 

[DZLS]

also, i consider myself a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter, so i am not looking to simply lift as much weight as possible...

i keep strict form and try and get the most out of every rep whether i do 2 or 10 of 'em...

 

[bignate73]

conveniently lost my wraps years ago. it was eye opening how much I had relied on them. my opinion is to keep working on doing it without wraps. your grip will catch up. maybe hit some timed holds at the end of your workout to build your grip endurance. its a minimal time investment that will help your functional strength.

i know goals are different. I'm more of a purist when it comes to training. simple exercises, simple equipment, etc. belts and wraps are what I started out with, and ultimately moved away from. now I'm happy that I did as I, personally, feel more satisfaction not relying on anything to aid my training. (this is completely my view)

 

[|3ossman]

invest in some lifting chalk, you will have no problems holding weight. i personally can hold 600+ for a decent amount of time with chalk, but have problems repping 405 without it.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

I use straps on back (pulling) day... only for my last sets of the day, which usually include heavy deads and heavy shrugs. I let my forearms get toasted during the workout until it hurts to grip a damn 20lb dumbell, then i'll use straps and hope they don't tear my hands off at the wrist

To each their own. I say only use as nessesary so your forearms will get proportionally stronger (and larger) with the rest of your body.

I wish I could use chalk in my gym... bunch of pansy asses there though.

 

[DZLS]

well, i think i am going to get a set and only use them on my final set or once i feel my grip starting to fail...

i don't like using aids to help me with shit...

i appreciate everyone's advice so far... K to all... well except bigNate and Sgt Slaughter... i must have just hit you recently...

 

[bignate73]

another option is to pick up a rosin bag at a sporting good store (baseball section). Works like chalk, no dust. I love the stuff. the little bag has lasted me 2 years!!!

 

[TheOak84]

well, one, you dont wanna over train ur grip, so use them in some cases. i use them for shrug and rack deads, cuz on rack deads, im using about 120-130% of my 1rm, weight i cant hold..

two, just cuz ur a body builder doesnt mean u dont need a strong grip.

strong grip = heavier weights = more mass = your goal...

 

[carlsuen]

try mixed grip?

 

[NorgePrecision]

I only use my straps on the last set. I also do not like to completely rely on them. The straps I have are really good, Versa Grips. I think they would be better than chalk, but I've never used chalk.

 

[DZLS]

I only use my straps on the last set. I also do not like to completely rely on them. The straps I have are really good, Versa Grips. I think they would be better than chalk, but I've never used chalk.

i can't see how chalk is going to help me keep my grip closed, so i wouldn't even try it myself...

 

[DZLS]

try mixed grip?

tried it, didn't like it... and that's a bicep injury waiting to happen...

 

[cityhick]

Just go with straps on your last set. And if you are that worried about your grip just do some forearm exstensions and curls.. its really not that big of deal. There is no way I could do a hard back workout without them.

 

[blut wump]

I tried chalk and noticed no difference with it. If your hands aren't prone to getting sweaty, the chalk doesn't seem to have a lot to do. I keep my chalk in a little plastic tub with a sponge. When I was using the chalk, I just stuck my hand into the tub and used the sponge to apply it so there wouldn't be lots of chalk dust around. The gym I use has a no-chalk policy but they're ok with it so long as you're reasonable.

For myself I just stick with a double overhand grip and work it until its failing. If I still have more to do then I'm prepared to use a mixed grip but haven't needed straps on deads for over a year. The grip will strengthen as you use it. Just try to use the straps as little as possible and only when you're fairly sure that the set would be ruined without them. There used to be a sticky around somewhere on grip training 101.

Here, found it..
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342733

 

[|3ossman]

I tried chalk and noticed no difference with it. If your hands aren't prone to getting sweaty, the chalk doesn't seem to have a lot to do. I keep my chalk in a little plastic tub with a sponge. When I was using the chalk, I just stuck my hand into the tub and used the sponge to apply it so there wouldn't be lots of chalk dust around. The gym I use has a no-chalk policy but they're ok with it so long as you're reasonable.

For myself I just stick with a double overhand grip and work it until its failing. If I still have more to do then I'm prepared to use a mixed grip but haven't needed straps on deads for over a year. The grip will strengthen as you use it. Just try to use the straps as little as possible and only when you're fairly sure that the set would be ruined without them. There used to be a sticky around somewhere on grip training 101.

Here, found it..
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342733

wow, your the first person ive ever heard of that doesnt get alot from chalk. all the guys i train with get atleast 100lbs. from it.

how much can you hold onto with a double overhand, id like to switch to that grip soon. But i know most people cant hold onto much weight that way.

 

[|3ossman]

i can't see how chalk is going to help me keep my grip closed, so i wouldn't even try it myself...

i couldnt either a couple years ago. then i used it and was like holy shit ill never need straps again, but thats just me.

basically your grip fails because your palms are moist and the bar slides out, the chalk prevents this very well

 

[blut wump]

I don't hold the bar in my palm when deadlifting. I hold it at the base of my fingers so it doesn't have the opportunity of rolling down my palm. I essentially try to start the grip in the place that it would roll to. It also saves getting any calluses on your palm although I still get them on my fingers.

I've pulled 415 from the floor double-overhand. I've rack-pulled 450 without needing to go mixed grip when doing shrugs. Beyond that, I'd be using straps which have taken me up to 6 plates a side.

Some days condensation makes the bar kind of oily and I'll use chalk then.

I still remember when 215 was about my limit on holding a bar and it would just slowly peel my fingers open.

 

[kiosk]

when i switched to reverse grip in one hand and normal on the other I found out that I didnt need straps anymore....

 

[djeclipse]

I try and go foraslong as I can wihtout using straps, when I am sure I won't make all my reps withut straps I will use them. In the past it's been my 3rd set of dead lifts, last week I used chalk and I was able to complete the 4th set without using straps. My last set so far always needs straps.

I try to go without as long as possable but I don't let me sorry ass grip get in the way of me lifting deads.

 

[DZLS]

i wear gloves when lifting, so i don't think it's moisture that is the problem... my hands just can't handle the weight all the way through the set...

 

[bignate73]

wearing gloves can be a problem too. the pad slips, the pad is too bulky etc.

if you haven't tried chalk or rosin it def helps. keeps your grip up and improving and....ahh well, you'll make your own choice.

I just know that I personally was mad at myself for using wraps for such a long time in the name of "progress" of other muscle groups. by the time I lost them, I was crippled back to lighter weights. I became reliant on them for and I really opened the gap up between true strength and assisted. by a LARGE margin.

 

[|3ossman]

i wear gloves when lifting, so i don't think it's moisture that is the problem... my hands just can't handle the weight all the way through the set...

well, there's your problem. gloves

 

[DZLS]

well, there's your problem. gloves

well, i'd rather be and wear gloves than have nasty ass caloused hands...

 

[perp69]

Some possible fixes.

1) Use mixed grip
2) Use chalk or liquid chalk if not allowed in your gym, that rosin bag is a good idea too that I will have to check into
3) Loose the gloves and straps
4) Do some grip training to strengthen it-fat bar (I wrap the bars with wrist straps to make them thicker in my gym), farmers walk, plate pinches, Captain of Crushers, hanging, wrist rolls, etc.

Perp

 

[blut wump]

well, i'd rather be and wear gloves than have nasty ass caloused hands...

That's a choice also to struggle with your deadlift grip.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, you can grip the bar so as not to get calluses on your palm. Some chalk might even help with calluses on your fingers.

 

[Neo22]

mixed grip will bend the spine, i would stay away from it. my .02

 

[SgtSlaughter]

mixed grip will bend the spine, i would stay away from it. my .02

^^^ Do you have any sources/data to back that up??

I've very interested... cuz I've had to go to the Chiropractor for a while. And I used to use a mixed grip religiously back in the high school weight room days.

 

[TheOak84]

well, i'd rather be and wear gloves than have nasty ass caloused hands...

i eat my callous... protein, and im half cannibal

 

[fortunatesun]

Those CofC grips work remarkably well. At $20, it's easily the most reasonable training investment I've made.

Something else that works for me is high reps. I sometimes do Dimmel deadlifts (partial deads starting just below knees w/ explosive lift) 3x20. My grip gave out at 15 on the last set when I first started, but in just a couple weeks I could breeze through all 3 sets.

I'd love to get my hands around a fat bar, though I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon.

 

[Neo22]

^^^ Do you have any sources/data to back that up??

I've very interested... cuz I've had to go to the Chiropractor for a while. And I used to use a mixed grip religiously back in the high school weight room days.

I'll see if I can find them, but mixed grip will twist your spine and is NOT a good idea.

 

[kethnaab]

i can't see how chalk is going to help me keep my grip closed, so i wouldn't even try it myself...

I know. doesn't make a lick of sense, does it?

but lifting chalk makes an ENORMOUS difference in your gripping ability

enormous.

I think you have the right idea, use your straps near the end, but honestly, drop $2.50 for some magnesium carbonate, and drop the little brick of chalk into a small tupperware container. stick it in your gym bag, and be amazed at how much more secure your grip is.

 

[DZLS]

well, fuck it...

i'm gonna try the chalk, as everyone seems to think it will help...

where can i buy this stuff...?

i really do not want to use straps as i have hated them for so many years... and i'd rather not get into a bad habit all over again...

 

[nelmsjer]

Not sure what is local to you, but a climbing store will have chalk. Also, MOST good sporting good stores will have block chalk. Think Academy...

Incidentally, blut_wump, you're starting to make me feel like a damn groupie with the continuous tidbits of info you release. 6 plates each side??!!

 

[djeclipse]

I'll see if I can find them, but mixed grip will twist your spine and is NOT a good idea.

Please post this data as I don't see how the sine is "twisted" with mixed grip.

 

[djeclipse]

I made a few days ago saying that I used straps for the last few sets of deadlift. Well just yesterday with chalk and mixed grip I was able to completly get rid of the straps and do all my sets (including a new PR) RAW. It feels so much better to perform a lift without the use of any "aid".

DZLS, get your hands on some chalk and work on removing straps form your routine, you'll thank yourself later on. Chalk makes a huge difference.

 

[DZLS]

never bought the straps,. got the chalk and is working well for me so far... we'll see how things go once the weights get a little more serious...

 

[victoria978]

I would say use them after your first set. There a potential for injury if you are halfway up with the weights and drop them. You potentially could spring back from the sudden loss of the weights. Or drop them on your foot - especially if your form is tight, then you're keeping the weights close to your shins -ouch.

 

[blut wump]

I would say use them after your first set. There a potential for injury if you are halfway up with the weights and drop them. You potentially could spring back from the sudden loss of the weights. Or drop them on your foot - especially if your form is tight, then you're keeping the weights close to your shins -ouch.

Look at the other side, though. What if something goes wrong and you get hit with a sharp pain and can't drop them? That's one of the aspects that worries me about using straps on deads. With no straps I can drop the weight just by letting go.

I've dropped the weight more than once. I've never felt in any danger of hitting any part of myself as the weight descends.

 

[djeclipse]

I would say use them after your first set. There a potential for injury if you are halfway up with the weights and drop them. You potentially could spring back from the sudden loss of the weights. Or drop them on your foot - especially if your form is tight, then you're keeping the weights close to your shins -ouch.

How could you possably drop the weight on your foot while doing deads?

 

[needtogetaas]

I use straps.I need them.

 

[Tweakle]

with straps you can open your hands to drop the weight.

getting into grip problems half way up with a heavy weight can really ruin your day, I vote for straps and chalk. No need to use a mixed or hook grip unless you're a PLer, no need to use gloves unless you're a homo/metro

 

[ChinkNasty]

truer words have never been spoken

with straps you can open your hands to drop the weight.

getting into grip problems half way up with a heavy weight can really ruin your day, I vote for straps and chalk. No need to use a mixed or hook grip unless you're a PLer, no need to use gloves unless you're a homo/metro

 

[SgtSlaughter]

with straps you can open your hands to drop the weight.

getting into grip problems half way up with a heavy weight can really ruin your day, I vote for straps and chalk. No need to use a mixed or hook grip unless you're a PLer, no need to use gloves unless you're a homo/metro

^^ excellent post.

Personally, I have yet to be "stuck" to a dumbell or barbell because of straps... the weights drop when I loosen my grip and jolt it a little bit... no probs with straps ever. I have yet to be hurt or injured from using straps and that's with 7ish years lifting experience. Just use them when you HAVE to.