Straps????

[tzan]

I've always been against using straps in the past because I feel it weaken yuor griping strength, but my training partner who has always used them is trying to talk me into trying them out. How do you guys feel about using them for certain exercises. The only exercise where I feel that I can benefit from them is on wide grip pullups where I'm always sliding off the bar.

 

[gettinlarger]

I use them for the heaviest of deadlifts and shrugs. I try not to use them for pullups, but I give in sometimes.

 

[Fatty4You]

I used to use straps for pull downs and low row, and sometimes for SL deadlifts. But i noticed that my forearms were seriously suffering in strength, and getting smaller. So i think the question comes down to... do want big forearms now and big other stuff later,,,, or do you want big other stuff NOW and big forearms later.

Previously, i was doing lighter weight and higher reps, and my foreamrs were nice and pumped without straps. but now i am going heavier, and i might start up the straps again.

But, i think its your choice. Clearly, your forearms will not get the workout they would if you use them, but at the same time, perhaps your back will get HUGE

-Fatty

 

[m0t03]

I use them for shrugs always, otherwise I can hardly hold the weight. If I didnt use them I focus more on my hands killin me more than trying to do quality reps. I also do it on some othe heavier lifts, not to many though. My advice would be to use them but only on exercises where u need them.

Mike

 

[Thaibox]

One word bro.....

CHALK!

I use to use straps for my heaviest deads and shrugs, but then I realized that I can hold just as much weight with chalk and its 1000X better. 6 plates are no problem with chalk and there's no annoying, bulky material to mess around with. You can run up on the bar and just yank it without dicking around with the straps.

 

[eastarr69]

Chalk is a good recomendation...but I use straps for heavy shrugs, I have found that in my gym I can use the dip machine and pile on a ton of plates and use the chest press side of it and straddle the bench part and grab thwe handles and go...one big reason for the straps on this are that they have cushioned grips and my hands sweat and chalk balls up on it while sweating, so straps are the key, you can hang 6 or 7 plates on a side and work great and then you also can use correct form and not worry about using your legs to lift and bending your arms...I also use the straps for lay down bent rows. I have found I wrap the straps and use more back then I do my bi's and I get less forearm/hand fatigue and I can train a bit longer....so straps, to me are alright for training....you can always do grip exercises and forearm training during your regular training sessions....a good book to check out is the one about ed coan...he shows some good grip and fore arm training....

E

 

[Lumberg]

I use straps. I'm not particularly concerned with my forearms. Like eastarr said if I ever decide to focus on them I can get a gripper or something and do grip exercises at my desk.

JC

 

[Fatty4You]

Thaibox, chalk is good if you are in a gym where they dont mind. Which is what most gyms should be like. But a number of gyms gets all pissy when you whip out the chalk, cause suddenly there's some light dusting on their fancy black foam mats.... ooooh, so much trouble. Some gyms are stupid. They forget that people come to get big, not to relax in lap of luxury.

-Fatty

 

[backlash79]

i usually dont use straps on deads because my forerms are still good, but later on i use them for bent over rows or pullups when i jsut can't grip anymore.

 

[louden_swain]

Do what is best for you. Personally, I would rather have my back muscles fail before my forearms. I only use them for deads, shrugs, and barbell rows.