Thread: Lifting Straps & Pussys...

well, i don't think they're for 'pussies' but i prefer not to use that help.. i want my grip to get stronger as well

I use them, but not every week. I'm hoping that alternating between using them and not will help keep my grip strong. I love the sick back workouts I get when using straps.

Yeah.. Because I only used the straps on the last movement.. otherwise I wouldn't have beenable to hold the weight long enough to finish my set.

I think they're great as long as you only use them when your grip is completely spent. Same deal with using belts (although I never wear one)...they should only be used when absolutely necessary.

So the question is "To strap or not to strap"

Do deads first. Your grip will be stronger [because of less fatigue]. Nothing the matter with using straps. You can handle more weight which will help you overload muscles more if you can't hold weight because of grip. And do forearm exercises to help with grip.

I still dont need straps, and I make sure to use a bar without a ton of grip otherwise my skin gets so thick and dry that I could litterally cut you with my hand.

When I do SLDL and if I start to lose my grip, easy, I touch the bar down and grip anew. I am beginning to consider gloves though, but so long as I use a smooth bar I'm ok.

I would rather be able to brag of my awesome grip, instead of being nothing but a handicapped bodybuilder who needs a bunch of addons and has no real world strength. Strapons wont help when you want to pick up the back end of a car

I use straps when I do back, but that is about the only time. I like going heavy on that day.

Hmm...maybe I should use some kind of straps on the boyfriend.

Originally posted by Mudge
I still dont need straps, and I make sure to use a bar without a ton of grip otherwise my skin gets so thick and dry that I could litterally cut you with my hand.

When I do SLDL and if I start to lose my grip, easy, I touch the bar down and grip anew. I am beginning to consider gloves though, but so long as I use a smooth bar I'm ok.

I would rather be able to brag of my awesome grip, instead of being nothing but a handicapped bodybuilder who needs a bunch of addons and has no real world strength. Strapons wont help when you want to pick up the back end of a car

What is SLDL?

Maybe you should use some sorta straps on me . j/p

Originally posted by heeholler
Do deads first. Your grip will be stronger [because of less fatigue]. Nothing the matter with using straps. You can handle more weight which will help you overload muscles more if you can't hold weight because of grip. And do forearm exercises to help with grip.

Sounds goood man. Thanks

Originally posted by oaktownboy
What is SLDL?

They are Straight Leg Deadlifts.
Example here:
Straight Leg Deads

Originally posted by oaktownboy
What is SLDL?

Stiffy deadlift.

There not for pussies I use them and I'm not a pussy.

I'm keeping my mouth shut on this one

I use to use chalk. Of course I probably wasn't lifting the amount of weight you are all discussing. Only problem I had was the skin across my palms right at the point where the fingers attach would slip between the layers every once in awhile. I didn't have soft hands either. I owned a body shop (automobile) at that time and my hands were pretty tough.

All workout equipment is for pussies. You should be lifting boulders and tree trunks.

Originally posted by MikeKy
I use to use chalk. Of course I probably wasn't lifting the amount of weight you are all discussing. Only problem I had was the skin across my palms right at the point where the fingers attach would slip between the layers every once in awhile. I didn't have soft hands either. I owned a body shop (automobile) at that time and my hands were pretty tough.

Mike, what you said passed right by me like a freight train. I tried to catch it, but it got away

I'm trying to picture what you meant when you said "the skin across your palms right at the point where the fingers attach would slip between the layers". What in the heck were you doing to allow that to happen?

I'm trying to picture what you meant when you said "the skin across your palms right at the point where the fingers attach would slip between the layers". What in the heck were you doing to allow that to happen?

Dead lifts with a chrome bar(first and last time with a smooth chrome bar). The spots I'm talking about are where callouse is. The bar would slip in my grip just enough to pull them loose from the underlying skin.
I used straps after that at times and NEVER a smooth bar.

Oh ok, I get ya now....
Yes, I think in that case straps would definately be in order

Originally posted by maniclion
All workout equipment is for pussies. You should be lifting boulders and tree trunks.

big BUMP! so much more practical.. "i bench 400lbs" "oh really, i bench that red wood"

Straps are not for pussys! there a good training tool to use, just dont rely on them for everything. Personally I dont use them and prefer not too because i hate training forarms.lol! and since I dont use straps for deads and shrugs e.t.c. they grow just fine from all the stress of holding onto the bar without straps.

Originally posted by MikeKy
I used straps after that at times and NEVER a smooth bar.

I use a smooth bar on purpose, if you can keep your grip its not a problem.

My curl bar is smooth, had it since I was a kid, I even have a special stack of weights just for it (it doesn't take olympic plates). My olympic curl bar sits in the corner, by the time I finnish back, my hands are so torn up gripping that knurled (sp?) bar is so painful it's a destraction, Anyone know where to find a smooth olympic curl bar?
I don't know, maybe it's just a head thing, but I can't wear gloves on anything but low rows.

Calluses build character. Nothing to turn the ladies on better.

I don't use straps anymore but it means my deadlift has gone down by about 50 lbs because of grip.

Originally posted by Randy
I'm keeping my mouth shut on this one

When I first started lifting I used straps and when I stopped using them my lifts when down some, but as my grip became stonger my lifts were back up where they should be. I have knurled bar and it did rip the shit out of my hands at first but after awhile my hands toughened up and the bar no longer bothers me. I don`t have big hands but my grip is very strong and I suprise the hell out of people when comes to handshakes, so lose the straps and get yourself some chalk.

Originally posted by ponyboy
Calluses build character. Nothing to turn the ladies on better.

As long as they dont get out of hand, when I use a bar with massively fresh diamond grips, I get monster calluses where I swear I could just about cut someone with them. With the smooth bar they are just like a workers hands, which is fine with me.

Technically my gym does not allow chalk but some still use it, and when its still on the bar it really does help.

fuck straps, I won't use them unless I am competing are preparing to compete. Otherwise performance is more important to me than the number of plates on the bar. I don't see teh point, you want your body to adapt and grow, you shouldn't want to hinder it by using something like that. Do you bench with a bench shirt on, no. basically the same premise. it is a crutch that allows you to lift more weight by taking some stress off teh grip. If your grip is lacking then you need to not use straps so your forearms can adjust, not hinder it by relieving them of that stress. That is just my opinion