Lifting hooks

**rake922** · 07-05-2006, 04:29 PM

I was chatting with a guy that only had 9 fingers (apparently he cut his left index finger off with a saw)

Anyways he told me that he used lifting hooks to benefit his grip. I assumed he was talking about wraps, but he wasnt...

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gl/hooks.html

Never heard of or saw of these things before.

**anaBROLIC** · 07-05-2006, 04:36 PM

have seen them before but never thought about needing them for anything that my straps cant do.

**chest6** · 07-05-2006, 05:26 PM

Basically the same thing as straps...

I don't see how that would benefit your grip. I benefit my grip by doing the opposite-not using straps unless I have to in order to target the muscle I am triyng to work as much as possible and I can't without grip failure..

**Carlos_E** · 07-05-2006, 05:31 PM

Just use your hands. You'll be bigger forearms.

**firmechicano831** · 07-05-2006, 05:55 PM

never seen them or used them in my life.

**PROTEINSHAKE** · 07-05-2006, 06:08 PM

sometimes on back or trap day I use a type of grip/strap that I saw at Mr. O a few yrs ago.... they are called Versa Grips. I like em a lot.

**anaBROLIC** · 07-05-2006, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Carlos_E

Just use your hands. You'll be bigger forearms.

i like your idea. problem with me is that my wrists are sooo damn small compared to the rest of my arms that i have trouble gripping and holding the weight that im able to do sometimes.

**Carlos_E** · 07-05-2006, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by anaBROLIC

i like your idea. problem with me is that my wrists are sooo damn small compared to the rest of my arms that i have trouble gripping and holding the weight that im able to do sometimes.

Do you train your forearms and grip? Over time that should improve. I used to have a lousy grip and could barely train back. It improved once I stopped using straps. Now I can do heavy deadlifts just gripping the bar.

**anaBROLIC** · 07-05-2006, 09:36 PM

actually for a while i was trying to work on my grip by hanging onto the pullup bar and holding as long as i can. was burning like hell and felt good. dont really know why i stopped doing them..

**C_Bino** · 07-05-2006, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by anaBROLIC

actually for a while i was trying to work on my grip by hanging onto the pullup bar and holding as long as i can. was burning like hell and felt good. dont really know why i stopped doing them..

I try never to use straps and I have big foreamrs, it helps for sure to just go without them.

To strengthen my grip up at the beginning I used to take 3 five pound little plates and hold them together for as long as I could until they slipped. It works very well, its hard to explain in words like all exercises, but let me try to clarify.

Grab 3 finskies (5lbs) hold them together with one hand. Thumb on one side of them and 4 fingers on the other. Hold for as long as you can until they drop. Make sure to time it though, this way whatever hand fails first (prolly the one you dont jerk off with

) you can stick around that time for both as to not create an even bigger difference in strength.

**chest6** · 07-05-2006, 09:47 PM

What has helped for me is just doing heavy deads and never using straps..only chalk when the grip starts to slip. Also..I like farmers walk..or what I do is I just kinna simulate it by standing there and holding the db's for as long as I can. Wish I could find a gym with heavier ones than 130s cuz it takes awhile to drop them..

**anaBROLIC** · 07-05-2006, 09:47 PM

sounds good thanks for the idea.. will try that

**C_Bino** · 07-05-2006, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by chest6

What has helped for me is just doing heavy deads and never using straps..only chalk when the grip starts to slip. Also..I like farmers walk..or what I do is I just kinna simulate it by standing there and holding the db's for as long as I can. Wish I could find a gym with heavier ones than 130s cuz it takes awhile to drop them..

When you are in Canada PM me, I will take you to a gym here that has dumbells up to 260. It's where the big boys play.
I actually dont workout there though. My gym goes up to 150, but the atmosphere and people at my gym will make me stay. Got some IFBB pros there.

**Carlos_E** · 07-05-2006, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by chest6

What has helped for me is just doing heavy deads.

Exactly. I just use chalk for deads and I'm told I have big forearms.

**chest6** · 07-05-2006, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by C_Bino

When you are in Canada PM me, I will take you to a gym here that has dumbells up to 260. It's where the big boys play.
I actually dont workout there though. My gym goes up to 150, but the atmosphere and people at my gym will make me stay. Got some IFBB pros there.

260s..holy shit. I'm actually going to join a gym this fall instead of settling for the rec at my college cuz they stop at 100. I dont know about most people..but 100lbs isn't enough for shit. Gettin to Canada could take awhile..

**stunner5000pt** · 07-05-2006, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by C_Bino

When you are in Canada PM me, I will take you to a gym here that has dumbells up to 260. It's where the big boys play.
I actually dont workout there though. My gym goes up to 150, but the atmosphere and people at my gym will make me stay. Got some IFBB pros there.

curious... what is the name of this gym?

**ascendant** · 07-05-2006, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by anaBROLIC

i like your idea. problem with me is that my wrists are sooo damn small compared to the rest of my arms that i have trouble gripping and holding the weight that im able to do sometimes.

my wrists aren't that big either. however, if you use things like those lifting hooks to help compensate for your weak grip strength, it's only going to make it worse, and you'll become disproportionate in your forearms compared to the rest of your body.

the best thing i've found in improving grip-strength is those hand grippers. there's a set made by a company called "heavy grip". here's a link to their site: http://www.heavygrips.com/ they have grippers that go all the way up to 350lbs. i bought mine off ebay for quite a bit cheaper than what they're asking on their site. shop around and you can get a great price on a set of them.

since i started using them, my forearms have gotten larger, stronger, and my grip stength has improved dramatically. they're far more effective than any other forearm work i've ever done by far. best thing is i can do them at home whenever and don't have to head to the gym for the workout.

**Timm1704** · 07-05-2006, 11:10 PM

my left hand is all messed up from birth, i have 3 fingers on it, and two of those arent right lol, so i started using straps. the hooks, IMO, are inferior to straps. i train forearms seperate, but when it comes to deads, pullups, heavy rows and shrugs, i use straps. the deformed hand is a bastard in the gym, but its great for scaring little kids

**Moe-mentum** · 07-06-2006, 12:54 AM

There are some movements that there is just no way in hell my grip can hold the weight.
Generaly just about every back movement I use straps.
I use to use chalk and that did the trick.
But my pansy ass current Gold's Gym frowns upon chalk cause it "makes a mess".wtf.
Nothing worse than coming to the most intense part of your set (the end) and your concentration is thrown off becuase of grip.

The hooks could tend to make a guys grip lazy.

Thank goodness for straps.
A strong grip is *incredibly important.

**Stumbo** · 07-06-2006, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by Timm1704

my left hand is all messed up from birth, i have 3 fingers on it, and two of those arent right lol, so i started using straps. the hooks, IMO, are inferior to straps. i train forearms seperate, but when it comes to deads, pullups, heavy rows and shrugs, i use straps. the deformed hand is a bastard in the gym, but its great for scaring little kids

I admire you awsome attitude bro! I would be a bitter prick.

**Carlos_E** · 07-06-2006, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Moe-mentum

I use to use chalk and that did the trick. But my pansy ass current Gold's Gym frowns upon chalk cause it "makes a mess".wtf.

I've been over this before with other guys. When you use chalk do you clean up after yourself? Wipe the weights and the bar down when you finish? If you don't, I wouldn't allow you to use chalk either.

My gym has a no chalk rule yet they never enforce it with me. After doing deadlifts I stop and take 5 minutes to wipe everything down and clean up after myself. I leave the area how I found it.

**Moe-mentum** · 07-06-2006, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by Carlos_E

I've been over this before with other guys. When you use chalk do you clean up after yourself? Wipe the weights and the bar down when you finish? If you don't, I wouldn't allow you to use chalk either.

My gym has a no chalk rule yet they never enforce it with me. After doing deadlifts I stop and take 5 minutes to wipe everything down and clean up after myself. I leave the area how I found it.

Good for you.

**Carlos_E** · 07-06-2006, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by Carlos_E

When you use chalk do you clean up after yourself?

Originally Posted by Moe-mentum

Good for you.

I'll take that mature response as a no.

**BOUNCER** · 07-06-2006, 03:54 AM

If I'm excising my back it wouldn't bother me to use wraps. I think they work. No point in exhausting your grip/forearms and have them fail before the bigger back muscles your trying to hit.

Btw, for grip strengh I do chin's with my judo jacket collar wrapped around the bar. Grip is very important for me when getting grips on in competition.

**Moe-mentum** · 07-06-2006, 03:57 AM

Yeah, after re-reading your post I can see you were just trying to help.
Sounded like you were talking down to me with some arrogant lecture type attitude.

No, I have'nt used chalk there yet.
It's posted in the gym not to use chalk.

I like my straps anyways, I've gotten used to them.
Dare I say even bonded with them

Anyways, I appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

**BOUNCER** · 07-06-2006, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Moe-mentum

Good for you.

Has anyone used grip gel?.

I used to get it here all the time. But haven't seen it in a few years. I swear you'd nearly climb glass with the stuff.

**Moe-mentum** · 07-06-2006, 04:04 AM

Never heard of it.
I have heard of using "resin".
It's something cowboys use to hold on when bareback or bull riding.
A guy at my gym uses it.
Not bad actually.

**BOUNCER** · 07-06-2006, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by Moe-mentum

Never heard of it.
I have heard of using "resin".
It's something cowboys use to hold on when bareback or bull riding.A guy at my gym uses it.
Not bad actually.

I usually just twist her pony tail in my fingers when I go bareback riding, haven't lost a grip yet

**Moe-mentum** · 07-06-2006, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by BOUNCER

I usually just twist her pony tail in my fingers when I go bareback riding, haven't lost a grip yet

Muwahahaha!
lol

**Timm1704** · 07-06-2006, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by BOUNCER

I usually just twist her pony tail in my fingers when I go bareback riding, haven't lost a grip yet

does she kick off? or like it rough?

**Timm1704** · 07-06-2006, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Stumbo

I admire you awsome attitude bro! I would be a bitter prick.

cheers dude, it really isnt a problem really. had it all my life, i know no different. it used to be very annoying in the gym, then i discovered straps. nobody seems to notice it. the only problem i sometimes face is gripping dumbbells if the handles are thicker than usual. so for instance if im shoulder pressing or incline pressing dumbbells with thicker handles, i will need a spotter to keep an eye on the gimp-hand. so, in general when im in these situations i stick with barbells

**spywizard** · 07-06-2006, 09:22 AM

I use them... Love them to death.. although i do admit that they do nothing to improve your grip, they allow you to work out your back, and lats especially to make them alot thicker, and given that the back is a much bigger muscle than your wrist, you need to apply more resistance to that muscle group.. thus the use of hooks (easier than wraps) allows you to continue with more reps and larger weights..