AM I 'cheating' my back by using straps for deadlifts?? (lifted 150lbs more with it)

[woody_16]

i use straps only when doing 1reps and when my grip is worn out

 

[shiznit2169]

You gained 43lbs in a year?? Yeah, I gained almost 60 this past year at my biggest...but I was chemically enhanced....and got kinda soft too....I was 140lbs when I graduated from high school a few years ago...Holding 185ish right now...

Ya, it took a lot of work though. I just ate like an absolute madman and i am currently bulking still. It's obviously not 43 pounds of lean muscle because i added some fat too but it's not too fat.

 

[CowPimp]

A few months ago I thought I might have had a hernia so deads and squats were totally removed from my program. In fact, i didnt go to the gym for 3 weeks. In any case, I didnt have a hernia.

So I got back into squats/deads, but I started all over. No straps this time either. Right now, I am doing 3 sets of 10 reps using 215lbs. I want to do more so bad, but my grip strength slips with 215lbs. Plus, I am taking my time and make sure my form doesnt fuck up which it had to have happened before, to cause my pain. So squats and deads have to remain perfect, before my pride takes hold.

I now only use straps for weighted pull ups and DB rows. BUT. I have an accessory day where I do core and grip strength exercises. Sometimes its an arm day too, but I can tell my grip is getting better, but its not going as fast as I had hoped.

I would throw in grip work a 2nd or maybe even 3rd day each week if you want better results. 2 days each week seemed to work quite well for myself.

 

[AKIRA]

I would throw in grip work a 2nd or maybe even 3rd day each week if you want better results. 2 days each week seemed to work quite well for myself.

Wow. Even 3 days? Well, on Leg day and Pull day, I do some work without straps, so its kinda 3 days already with 1 day fully for grip.

On Pull day I dont use straps for my 2 last workouts. E.g. Pullups yes, DB rows yes, lat pulldown/hammer strength pulldown no, cable row/facepulls/t-bar row etc no, biceps (if I do them) no.

On leg day, which is where my deads are, no I dont use them.

So thats kinda 2 days with the grip being worked, yes? Then a FULL grip day, totaling 3.

 

[CowPimp]

Wow. Even 3 days? Well, on Leg day and Pull day, I do some work without straps, so its kinda 3 days already with 1 day fully for grip.

On Pull day I dont use straps for my 2 last workouts. E.g. Pullups yes, DB rows yes, lat pulldown/hammer strength pulldown no, cable row/facepulls/t-bar row etc no, biceps (if I do them) no.

On leg day, which is where my deads are, no I dont use them.

So thats kinda 2 days with the grip being worked, yes? Then a FULL grip day, totaling 3.

Well, if you want to look at it like that then I train my grip 4 days every week, because I do lifts that require grip strength on my squat/deadlifts days, lifts that require grip strength on bench days, and then more dedicated grip work on most bench days.

 

[AKIRA]

Well, if you want to look at it like that then I train my grip 4 days every week, because I do lifts that require grip strength on my squat/deadlifts days, lifts that require grip strength on bench days, and then more dedicated grip work on most bench days.

So you do your dedicated grip work on bench days huh.

Is doing a push day really calling on some grip strength? I dont use straps for pressing, but are we talking like when someone does raises? Id say some grip is needed there, but is it all that much to be counted?

 

[CowPimp]

So you do your dedicated grip work on bench days huh.

Is doing a push day really calling on some grip strength? I dont use straps for pressing, but are we talking like when someone does raises? Id say some grip is needed there, but is it all that much to be counted?

I do lots of upper back work, usually in the form of rowing or chinups/pullups, on bench press days.

 

[Mudge]

I use straps but my deadlift is the same regardless, I use it for bent over rows and shrugs only. Do you use an over/under grip when you deadlift? Unless you are using double overhand without straps, I dont see why there would be that big of a difference in your deadlift, unless your grip strength is very lacking.

 

[juggernaut2005]

I use straps but my deadlift is the same regardless, I use it for bent over rows and shrugs only. Do you use an over/under grip when you deadlift? Unless you are using double overhand without straps, I dont see why there would be that big of a difference in your deadlift, unless your grip strength is very lacking.

I always use double over hand grip (palms facing my thighs.. Maybe I should try alternating??

Yeah The straps made a huge difference in weight and reps.. Don't know if its because I'm not used to DLing or my grip just blows! I also have the same problem with shrugs.. DB starts slipping away after a few reps with a heavy DB (100lbs +)

 

[nsimmons]

I never use straps, and i can thank deads for the increase in my forearm size. I have no grip problems at all. I use an alternate grip and switch it up every set. I did 300 for 6 on the last set today with grip never coming into play, but i dont have any more weight so i dont know what would happen if i tried to max.

If you can pull 400+ with straps and just over 200 without doesnt that show a pretty bad imbalance?

 

[CowPimp]

I always use double over hand grip (palms facing my thighs.. Maybe I should try alternating??

Yeah The straps made a huge difference in weight and reps.. Don't know if its because I'm not used to DLing or my grip just blows! I also have the same problem with shrugs.. DB starts slipping away after a few reps with a heavy DB (100lbs +)

Definitely give alternating grip a shot. It makes a huge difference for me. I can easily hold an extra 100 pounds, or probably even more, like that.

 

[juggernaut2005]

Definitely give alternating grip a shot. It makes a huge difference for me. I can easily hold an extra 100 pounds, or probably even more, like that.

thanks cowpimp.. Ill give it a shot

 

[AKIRA]

If you can pull 400+ with straps and just over 200 without doesnt that show a pretty bad imbalance?

Imbalance where? In the grip? Well yea and thats whats being discussed. My Deadlift is DEAD right now cuz I dont want to use straps. I still alternate my grip every other set.

As much as I need added grip strength, I dont want to limit my deads more than I should (doing DOH instead), so I acknowledge the fact that my grip SUCKS and address it accordingly.