Using straps

[anthrax]

It looks simple but there are different ways to use straps

There was a guy from Eastern Europe in my old gym using some weird straps with a loop
and another one using "regular" straps but holding them as I had never seen before

How do you use yours?

 

[BiggT]

The straps that are shaped like a loop are olympic lifting straps.....they are designed that way so that you can release them to properly catch your cleans and snatches......you cannot use them in competition, but a lot of lifters train with them at times.

Personally, I will overload my pulling muscles and use straps on my clean and snatch pulls and my shrugs and rows.....I never use straps on the actual lifts themselves.....I never use them for deadlifts either. I always felt straps are a good way to overload the upper back muscles because they are so large and just require it at times, however, they are not an excuse to have a weak grip.

 

[blut wump]

I use straps on heavier shrugs and DB side bends. If my grip is becoming a problem on deadlift I'll switch to a mixed grip. I've not done rack pulls in a long time but I also used them there last time I did. I wouldn't refuse to put them on if it meant missing a set not to wear them.

When I was reading 'Starting Strength' I saw mention of various styles of strap. They all fulfill the same function of helping your grip. Some are designed to come loose very easily and the rest seem to be variations on a theme.

 

[b fold the truth]

They go around the bar once (away from my hand) and on the 2nd pass....they will go through my pointer and middle finger and I will grip them.

I've seen the loops and they are good "in-between" straps. Helping a good bit...but not A LOT.

B True