Hooks or straps

Rob_NC · 01-24-2002, 07:20 AM

I've been using wrist straps during pulling movements because the amount of weight I use tends to cause my grip to fail first. The poundages are steadily increasing and so is the discomfort of the straps. Anyone use the hook style lifting aids? If so, what brand. I've seen small hooks, large hooks, double hooks. I'm confused!

**I Are Baboon** · 01-24-2002, 07:51 AM

I use Atlus wrist straps ($6 at Sports Authority) for three exercises:

Hammer Strength pulldowns (for back)
Barbell shrugs
Stiff leg deadlifts

I would never be able to hold the weight on the deadlifts or shrugs without the straps. On the pulldowns, I can simply use more weight when I use the straps. In my opinion, the straps are a little bit of a cheat, but it's not like I use them for everything.

Tank316 · 01-24-2002, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob_NC
I've been using wrist straps during pulling movements because the amount of weight I use tends to cause my grip to fail first. The poundages are steadily increasing and so is the discomfort of the straps. Anyone use the hook style lifting aids? If so, what brand. I've seen small hooks, large hooks, double hooks. I'm confused!

forearms/grip strength need the same attention just like any body part, dont forget to train them.i use straps also,but for the same purpose,but only for shrugs.i can foucus more on the movement than losing my grip.i love popeye forearms

kuso · 01-24-2002, 08:24 AM

I agree with Tank here, forearms are important.

But, I use straps on pull downs and deads.

The thing is, I do all my warm up, and all but my final set without them, then just use them for that final one.

By then my arms are pretty much fried anyway.

Rob_NC · 01-24-2002, 09:53 AM

I train forearms independantly on bicep days so I'm not so concerned about that. My grip is already very strong, but I feel the straps allow me to concentrate on the target muscle more since I'm not having to worry about losing my grip. My question is whether the hooks are as good as the straps. My straps are cutting into my wrists with heavy weight and they are sometimes difficult to wrap around certain bars. Anybody use hooks?

Tank316 · 01-24-2002, 09:57 AM

ive never used hooks before,but what i used to do with the straps is this...take wrist sweat bands and put the straps over them,you wont get the strap biting into your wrist that way.

Rick C · 01-24-2002, 10:05 AM

I've never used hooks either. I understand what you are saying about the straps. It's happened to me before. I just let them sit lower on my wrists and that seems to solve the problem.

Scotty the Body · 01-24-2002, 10:41 AM

The gloves I have have a wrist wrap at the top so the wrist straps sit on that and don't bite into my wrist, might be worth looking at if your needing new gloves.

Haven't tried the hook style so I'm no help to ya.

**Prince** · 01-24-2002, 10:47 AM

I wear wrist straps for support, but I do not use any type of straps/hooks for pulling exercises.

seyone · 01-24-2002, 12:53 PM

I used straps for a short time and even then I only used them for shrugs. I feel that my grip strength is better for not using them.

**Prince** · 01-24-2002, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seyone
I used straps for a short time and even then I only used them for shrugs. I feel that my grip strength is better for not using them.

yup, same here.

Shmoo · 01-25-2002, 03:52 PM

I use straps for heavy deads. A couple of guys that I have talk to have tried the hooks but didn`t care for them and recommended the straps.

seyone · 01-26-2002, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shmoo
I use straps for heavy deads. A couple of guys that I have talk to have tried the hooks but didn`t care for them and recommended the straps.

for me the over under grip works enought to not need straps.

Shmoo · 01-26-2002, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seyone

for me the over under grip works enought to not need straps.

For heavy deads need the straps because of mild tennis elbow. The over under grip is what caused me to get tennis elbow in the first place. Since I stopped using that grip my elbow has slowly started getting better.

Scotty the Body · 01-26-2002, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shmoo

For heavy deads need the straps because of mild tennis elbow. The over under grip is what caused me to get tennis elbow in the first place. Since I stopped using that grip my elbow has slowly started getting better.

Really? I've had a bad case of it for some time now, pretty much just grit my teath and work through it. Maybe I'll quit the over under for awhile and see if it helps.

01-24-2002, 07:20 AM	#1
Rob_NC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,179	Hooks or straps I've been using wrist straps during pulling movements because the amount of weight I use tends to cause my grip to fail first. The poundages are steadily increasing and so is the discomfort of the straps. Anyone use the hook style lifting aids? If so, what brand. I've seen small hooks, large hooks, double hooks. I'm confused!

01-24-2002, 09:57 AM	#6
Tank316 P/RR/Sh Warrior Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Barron,Wi Posts: 4,345 Photos: 8	ive never used hooks before,but what i used to do with the straps is this...take wrist sweat bands and put the straps over them,you wont get the strap biting into your wrist that way.
	P/RR/Sh Warrior. Epic's new man beast.

01-24-2002, 10:41 AM	#8
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	The gloves I have have a wrist wrap at the top so the wrist straps sit on that and don't bite into my wrist, might be worth looking at if your needing new gloves. Haven't tried the hook style so I'm no help to ya.
	Cool

01-24-2002, 10:47 AM	#9
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,931 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	I wear wrist straps for support, but I do not use any type of straps/hooks for pulling exercises.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

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01-24-2002, 07:51 AM	#2
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,988 Photos: 10	I use Atlus wrist straps ($6 at Sports Authority) for three exercises: Hammer Strength pulldowns (for back) Barbell shrugs Stiff leg deadlifts I would never be able to hold the weight on the deadlifts or shrugs without the straps. On the pulldowns, I can simply use more weight when I use the straps. In my opinion, the straps are a little bit of a cheat, but it's not like I use them for everything.

01-24-2002, 08:24 AM	#4
kuso Um......get rooted! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: aka ( o Y o ) Posts: 15,047 Photos: 15	I agree with Tank here, forearms are important. But, I use straps on pull downs and deads. The thing is, I do all my warm up, and all but my final set without them, then just use them for that final one. By then my arms are pretty much fried anyway.

01-24-2002, 09:53 AM	#5
Rob_NC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,179	I train forearms independantly on bicep days so I'm not so concerned about that. My grip is already very strong, but I feel the straps allow me to concentrate on the target muscle more since I'm not having to worry about losing my grip. My question is whether the hooks are as good as the straps. My straps are cutting into my wrists with heavy weight and they are sometimes difficult to wrap around certain bars. Anybody use hooks?

01-24-2002, 10:05 AM	#7
Rick C Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 30	I've never used hooks either. I understand what you are saying about the straps. It's happened to me before. I just let them sit lower on my wrists and that seems to solve the problem.

01-24-2002, 12:53 PM	#10
seyone M. I. A. Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Philly Posts: 2,562	I used straps for a short time and even then I only used them for shrugs. I feel that my grip strength is better for not using them.

01-25-2002, 03:52 PM	#12
Shmoo Meathead Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 588	I use straps for heavy deads. A couple of guys that I have talk to have tried the hooks but didn`t care for them and recommended the straps.

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