Straps or no strap?

[kosp]

I stopped using straps for pull workouts some time ago, and I feel that my grip and forearms have improved significantly. I think I was too accustomed to using them, and it has made a difference.

If you rely too much on them I don't think you are developing true strength, and perhaps you are developing your body incompletely.

I am talking about doing dumbbell rows with +110lbs, pull-ups or pull-downs, Hex-bar deadlifts with +440lbs (conventional too hard without straps when heavy weights with pronated grip)

What do you think?

 

[Fattyone]

I’d do a little heavy work with no straps then switch to straps.

I do a lot of manual labor outside of the gym and I have to keep non strapped heavy lifting in check. I’ll get tendon issues.

My grip strength is perfectly fine and I can do the examples listed on your post strap free.

 

[laclark89]

I've always thought about using straps but never have

I felt like I always had a weak grip strength compared to everything els my hands are always the first to give. But I got my grip strength checked by a spinal specialist recently and mine was in the 140s, thats a decent grip

So why the straps I dont know? mabe when u cant get a assisted reps or wana pull a crazy deadlift.

 

[Fattyone]

So why the straps I dont know?

my hands are always the first to give

This is why. Stopping your grip from being the limiting factor in training other muscle groups like back and legs etc..

Plus, a lot of times using straps even when not “needed”, you can focus more on targeting the muscle you’re actually intending to target easier.

and just because we are all a bunch of meatheads and slightly competitive.. I was in the 170’s on the squeeze test lol. Well, my dominant hand was haha

 

[MindlessWork]

I'd use straps on my heavier sets and helps grip as well. Had grip issues with my left hand but they have finally resolved a few months back (calcium deposit buildup in wrist that broke apart on its own) and straps did help in that case till my hand issues resolved.

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Are you training your grip or your back? Only question necessary to determine if straps should be used.

 

[JC Grifter]

I always use straps on heavy pulling exercises. I do this because my grip will fail before the muscles I’m targeting fails. As mentioned above, are you training your grip or your back?

 

[Titan18]

Are you training your grip or your back? Only question necessary to determine if straps should be used.

This right here...by using straps your grip is no longer a limiting factor. I don't use them often but almost always use them for bent over bb rows. This way my back does the work not my arms. Straps are cheap. Get some and try them and I think you will see how much more you can direct the load to your back.

 

[kosp]

Are you training your grip or your back? Only question necessary to determine if straps should be used.

Well, both. I believe I have a balanced strength, and my forearms don't give in too soon. For example, with pull-ups (with my weight at 95kg), I use a thumb-out hook grip on the bar, and it feels very solid. I stop the set because I really can't do more. When it comes to T-bar rows, I usually use 4-5 plates of 20 for 8-12 reps, and I don't feel my forearms giving in. It's simply that my body can't pull any more weight due to reaching technical failure. With dumbbell rows, I feel like I could do a few more reps if I had straps, and heavy conventional deadlifts definitely strain my forearms. But now I use a trap bar, and I don't have that issue. In general, I haven't noticed a significant difference; I used to use straps in the past.

 

[buck]

I used straps for heavy lifts but never for light stuff like bodyweight movements. When knocking out deadlifts' and such with 5 plates i found that my grip would give out before anything else 5-6 reps. With straps a could pull a double with 7 plates. Same with knocking out 15 rep sets with the 150's on 1 arm dumbbell rows. With lighter weights i would use those sets to build forearm strength with no straps. But my hands are not large. They barely go all the way around the bar. Those with longer fingers will have an easier time with keeping a grip on the bar i find as they can lock the fingers over the thumb.

 

[Benf15harp]

No straps.

 

[BigTomJ]

Straps.
My grip is strong enough that's it's not a limiting factor for my max raw deadlift.

Outside of the deadlift, my priorities are hypertrophy, and on longer pull days, grip absolutely becomes a limiting, or at least distracting factor.

 

[laclark89]

This is why. Stopping your grip from being the limiting factor in training other muscle groups like back and legs etc..

Plus, a lot of times using straps even when not “needed”, you can focus more on targeting the muscle you’re actually intending to target easier.

and just because we are all a bunch of meatheads and slightly competitive.. I was in the 170’s on the squeeze test lol. Well, my dominant hand was haha

U dident read the top of my post my grip is a limiting factor, that's y ive considered them.

Nice, If u pulled a legit 170 on a accurate device
u would be in the high 90%tile in the nfl for grip strength stronger than some 350 pound o linemen, nhl and mlb 180 is like a record grip.

my dr checked me with a medical grade 1 not a $25 amazon 1 but good for u.

 

[Fattyone]

U dident read the top of my post my grip is a limiting factor, that's y ive considered them.

Nice, If u pulled a legit 170 on a accurate device
u would be in the high 90%tile in the nfl for grip strength stronger than some 350 pound o linemen, nhl and mlb 180 is like a record grip.

my dr checked me with a medical grade 1 not a $25 amazon 1 but good for u.

Mine was a legit tester, not an Amazon one. A couple guys on my crew beat mine.
I’ve made my living with my hands my whole life and so have these others guys. I’m sure that’s why

 

[laclark89]

Mine was a legit tester, not an Amazon one. A couple guys on my crew beat mine.
I’ve made my living with my hands my whole life and so have these others guys. I’m sure that’s why

Me too I'm a carpenter and I usto do concrete.
I bet I've seen some gnarly looking hands working in the trades.

 

[Fattyone]

Dude we’ve got some guys that Will literally kill you by squeezing you, and they know it. I’ve legit ran away from dudes so they wouldn’t grab a hold of me haha


Also, I tried so hard I did hurt my hand and was useless the rest of the day lol gave it allll I had and then 3. We have physical therapists come every morning and see if we want or need anything and one of them had the tester.

 

[laclark89]

Dude we’ve got some guys that Will literally kill you by squeezing you, and they know it. I’ve legit ran away from dudes so they wouldn’t grab a hold of me haha


Also, I tried so hard I did hurt my hand and was useless the rest of the day lol gave it allll I had and then 3. We have physical therapists come every morning and see if we want or need anything and one of them had the tester.

Oh man they really take care of u guys. Pt an all.

What do you work on a oil rig or what lol.

Yea i was talking shit about amazon ones i just looked them up looks the they have good ones also they go from like $20-$450 I wonder what the difference is in accuracy. The expensive ones can probably be calibrated and all that.

 

[Hell]

No straps

 

[fofo]

normal working sets...no
heavy deadlifts (1-2 reps) 100% of the time i use straps

 

[RyGuy92]

I try to just use straps on my heavier weeks or later in to my workouts if I feel my Grip is costing me reps.