Lifting straps

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 02:03 PM

Recently i left my straps at the gym. I only use straps for heavy deads or shrugs.

I want to get some new ones. The previous ones i had were canvas/cloth. I saw leather straps and was wondering if anyone has every used them? Are they better or worse in your opinion?

**lovbyts** · 05-20-2010, 02:15 PM

I think mine are the Gold gym type. Cheap and they work.

Does anyone else hate straps? They are a PITA to set up sometimes. I have some hooks I though would be cool but they are not wide enough.

I may try bending them.

I have only used the straps a few times. Once in a while my fore arms will get sore/tires because I do such slow reps but most of the time Im G2G and dont have a problem.

I would rather not use straps if I dont have to.

**Bigdog99** · 05-20-2010, 02:23 PM

I had leather straps and I liked them. Like you, I only use them for deads and shrugs. If you sweat alot (like I do) they get pretty nasty and you can't really wash them. They were more comfortable for me than the canvas straps.....which can rub you raw when going heavy.

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Bigdog99

I had leather straps and I liked them. Like you, I only use them for deads and shrugs. If you sweat alot (like I do) they get pretty nasty and you can't really wash them. They were more comfortable for me than the canvas straps.....which can rub you raw when going heavy.

Good point. My buddy let me borrow these stiff cloth straps with some rubber grip around them. Did my shrugs and had lines cut around my wrist. Never again.

Im probably just going back to the soft traditional cloth ones again

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

I think mine are the Gold gym type. Cheap and they work.

Does anyone else hate straps? They are a PITA to set up sometimes. I have some hooks I though would be cool but they are not wide enough.

I may try bending them.

I have only used the straps a few times. Once in a while my fore arms will get sore/tires because I do such slow reps but most of the time Im G2G and dont have a problem.

I would rather not use straps if I dont have to.

Same here. I bring them usually for my heaviest sets when i dont feel like i can physically hold the bar. I would rather use the and get good reps in then not use them and have the bar slipping from my grip halfway through

**suprman09** · 05-20-2010, 03:14 PM

i just switched to leather from cloth and i like the leather ones better. i definitely have a better grip with the leather and they dont cut/hurt your wrists.

**Nooomoto** · 05-20-2010, 03:42 PM

Chalk > Straps

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Nooomoto

Chalk > Straps

here i agree too. On a team i was playing for we had chalk in the weight room and the trainers would offer me straps but i always declined them and used chalk. I like it because i usually have the bar slip down my fingers and the chalk helps. Problem is chalk isnt practical in a regular gym

**Arian** · 05-20-2010, 04:26 PM

I use straps for almost all my back exercises. I find when I do, I don't feel my biceps working at all. When I don't, my forearms and biceps are getting almost as much of a workout as my back.

**Mr.Rose** · 05-20-2010, 05:50 PM

I only use my straps for pushing exercises, defiantly for bench they are a must. I don't do legs or dead's, only bench and biceps, i don't want to hurt my back for life...

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mr.Rose

I only use my straps for pushing exercises, defiantly for bench they are a must. I don't do legs or dead's, only bench and biceps, i don't want to hurt my back for life...

I think i should get on this program. Straps always come in handy with curls and bench

**Bigdog99** · 05-20-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Noles12

here i agree too. On a team i was playing for we had chalk in the weight room and the trainers would offer me straps but i always declined them and used chalk. I like it because i usually have the bar slip down my fingers and the chalk helps. Problem is chalk isnt practical in a regular gym

I use chalk and straps for deads and shrugs on heavy days. I keep it in an old sour cream container (perfect size) and I am careful with it b/c it does make a mess. The owner of my gym doesn't like it, but still lets me use it because I respectful and clean up after myself. Some gyms don't allow it at all.

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bigdog99

I use chalk and straps for deads and shrugs on heavy days. I keep it in an old sour cream container (perfect size) and I am careful with it b/c it does make a mess. The owner of my gym doesn't like it, but still lets me use it because I respectful and clean up after myself. Some gyms don't allow it at all.

They have a sign saying no chalk in mine

**Mr.Rose** · 05-20-2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Noles12

I think i should get on this program. Straps always come in handy with curls and bench

**Bigdog99** · 05-20-2010, 06:05 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Haven't tried it, but I was considering it.....

**Mr.Rose** · 05-20-2010, 06:07 PM

I personally think chalk is all you need. If you need straps then you need to work on your grip strength. I have never used straps, only chalk and i have never had any problems... so far.

**Noles12** · 05-20-2010, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bigdog99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Haven't tried it, but I was considering it.....

I tried something similar in highschool. We had some for games when it was raining. I hated that stuff. It felt weird

**PC650** · 05-20-2010, 06:11 PM

chalks not aloud at any gyms in my area

**Nooomoto** · 05-20-2010, 06:24 PM

Technically chalk isn't allowed at my gym either, but they are so afraid of losing memberships that the manager doesn't say anything.

**DSM4Life** · 05-20-2010, 07:02 PM

I use my old underwear bands.

**jbm** · 05-20-2010, 08:01 PM

mine is improvise I bought a military belt and cut it...

**cobra305** · 05-20-2010, 08:13 PM

I have used leather before but I prefer the traditional cloth ones, I found them easier to use and keep fairly clean.

**Immortal Soldier** · 05-21-2010, 12:14 AM

STRAPS ARE FOR BITCHES

I shrug 5 plates on each side and have never used straps, saw some laying around and said what the hell and tried to do it and I hated them. Plus in shrugs it allows people to lift an extra plate so they think they lift the same as people who don't use straps and I tell them to try it without the straps and they can barely get two reps. JOKE

**cobra305** · 05-21-2010, 02:40 AM

Straps are not for bitches, some people need straps due to previous injuries. For instance if not for straps I would not be able to shrug more than 225 because of an accident. Aside from that they also allow you to focus on working the muscle you are training.

**Noles12** · 05-21-2010, 02:43 AM

Like i said i only use them for my heaviest lifts on shrugs and deads. I dont do it to show off by doing bigger weight i could care less what other people see and think. I use them because its not my key muscles that im trying to work on that fail, it is my hands slipping. Most likely due to weak grip/weak forearms. But when im working traps im not focusing on forearms or grip strength

**jbm** · 05-21-2010, 02:48 AM

so some ifbb pros and Olympias are bitches?

**Nooomoto** · 05-21-2010, 11:10 AM

Arnold never used straps. In his book he advises against the use of gym fashion accessories.

Since Arnold is God...

God doesn't like straps.

Debate over.

**Immortal Soldier** · 05-21-2010, 03:33 PM

Straps and gloves are FOR BITCHES, come on guys...MAN LAW.

What next? You need a personal handler to bring you your weights so you can "lift heavier" in your sets instead of wasting strength/energy getting your weights.

**Noles12** · 05-21-2010, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Immortal Soldier

Straps and gloves are FOR BITCHES, come on guys...MAN LAW.

What next? You need a personal handler to bring you your weights so you can "lift heavier" in your sets instead of wasting strength/energy getting your weights.

I agree on the gloves and i agree on using straps for every set and on every exercise even when not needed. But like i said i could care less what others think because i am trying to target the muscles i want to work with that exercise