USE YOUR STRAPS and WORK FOREARMS. END of STORY!

[crew9]

I completely understand that size does not always equate to strength. I also understand when people say well I use straps because my forearms get tired so I can't work my other muscles as hard. I look at it like this. I can rack deadlift a 405-425. This is not a lot of weight by many peoples standards here but it's a lot of weight for me. At this point the weight all but falls out of my hand near the end of the rep. Putting more weight on there is not a possibility because I couldn't possibly hold it. Sure I could probably throw on some extra weight if I added straps. I don't consider myself to be able to lift a said weight if I needed the assistance of something to help me accomplish it. If someone calls me on a lift what am I going to say, "Oh I'm sorry I don't have my straps I can't do it now." If you can't lift the weight at any time without the aid of something then you cannot do the lift. Simple as that....well at least for me it is. Oh well to each their own. So my thoughts are why not put down the straps and pick up the weight. Sure your ego might be hurting when you have to lower some weights but you'll get back there. Add in a forearm day if want to focus on hypertrophy.

 

[endpoint]

I don't consider myself to be able to lift a said weight if I needed the assistance of something to help me accomplish it. If someone calls me on a lift what am I going to say, "Oh I'm sorry I don't have my straps I can't do it now." If you can't lift the weight at any time without the aid of something then you cannot do the lift

Thats pretty much where i stand in the debate.

However...if you dont quote or brag numbers, then go for it......use straps.

I know this will spark another debate.....whats the difference between using straps, and powerlifters using, bench shirts, power briefs and squat suits?

I like the idea of being able to walk up to a weight on the floor or in the racks and being able to lift it without concern of if you forgot your straps, or if your bench shirt is tight enough.


For all the body builders, i understand that your end goal is looking good...but you are doing "resistance training" why not reap all the benifits? You are working with weights....why not let them make you stronger?

Also there is a difference between having big forearms.....and strong forearms. doing wrist curls, wont build a really strong supporting grip

 

[TheOak84]

Re: Re: Re: USE YOUR STRAPS and WORK FOREARMS. END of STORY!

I say the 400, 500, or 600lb deadlift is much more impressive for someone who is using straps rather than someone gripping a wimpy 70lb dumbbell.

i can deadlift 405 with out straps, thats not a whole lot, but...

so its not impressive to see me do that??

 

[louden_swain]

Re: Re: Re: Re: USE YOUR STRAPS and WORK FOREARMS. END of STORY!

i can deadlift 405 with out straps, thats not a whole lot, but...

so its not impressive to see me do that??

Thats great!!! That is impressive.

 

[TheOak84]

but then, what do u mean??

 

[he-man]

think we've killed this thread

 

[Fortes]

I have never, ever used straps, but I can understand why one would use them for deadlifting, for the following reasons:

1. Using a mixed grip really doesn't help develop grip strength that much, even if you are using a lot of weight.

2. Using a mixed grip can cause postural problems, imbalanced developement of leg and back muscles.

3. Doing clean grip deadlifts "feels" better to me than doing mixed grip ones - it feels like I'm really hitting both sides of my body evenly, whereas every time I do mixed grip deadlifts, I feel like my dominant side takes over, no matter which hand is supinated or pronated.

Now, chalk is GREAT for this reason. If you use chalk when you deadlift, and use a clean grip, you are getting the best of both worlds: gnarly forearm development and deadlifts without the weirdness. However, even with chalk, there is only so much weight you can hold onto with a clean grip, especially throughout the entire deadlift ROM.

One thing that really helps me out, that you folks might want to try, is this:

Get in the rack, and do a 20 second hold with 120% of your deadlift 1RM. Two or three wouldn't hurt, either. Now, go to your exercise that requires grip strength - barbell rows and deadlifts are my two major ones. The weight will feel SO LIGHT it's incredible, and you will most likely have little problem holding onto it, even with a clean grip (provided you are using chalk).

Give it a try.

Also, for you Body Building types, I think that one of the best forearm workouts you can do is high rep stuff with the Captains of Crush. Those things pump my forearms up so gnarly its incredible, and if you use a slow tempo, do static holds, etc. with them, your forearm developement will shoot through the roof.

 

[umpapa]

I agree that the exercises that enable you to lift the most weight, like deads, will train the grip better than isolations. if you have a weak grip then your other lifts will suffer as well.

 

[Synpax]

I work my forarms every other day. I do use straps.

Now tell me why I should not use straps when I increased my DL 50% but putting them on? Same for Shrugs and (hehe) sidebends.

I do DL, Shrugs, and Sidebends for muscles other than forarms. I do forarm exercises for forarms.

so HOW AM I BETTER OFF not using straps?

 

[punch]

Wow, I cant believe this thread was resurrected!!! Synpax, I agree w/ you 100%. There is NOTHING that builds bigger more muscular forearms than direct work on forearms. I've said it once and I will say it one more time. I can shrug 405 for 10 reps holding each rep at peak contraction for 2-3 seconds....WITH STRAPS. I will go out on a limb and say that very few here could do that w/ out them. TRAIN YOUR FOREARMS LIKE ANY OTHER BODYPART. Peace.