The importance of good lifting straps!!

[jackdup04]

Before a few days ago i used what most guys do for straps that ive seen..I thought if the were good enuff for arnold and the other classic builders there More then good enuff for me...my straps were starting to frey so i went to buy a new pair when i saw these fancy lookin' straps with foam around the wrist and the locking strap located dead center with a dowel in the end so it locks in place..I Figured what the hell 20bucks i'll try'em...Needless to say i had the best back w.o ive had in YEARS!! mabye im just way behind on this cause im not in a state or town where theres many builders like myself but if u havnt tried straps of this design TRY THEM!! Ill never use anything diff...
(if im way behind on this be easy on me im fragile!!lol)

[Thug Nasty]

how about a link showing what you're talking about? That'd help :-)

[Amorphic]

i dont use straps, they let you 'cheat' but allowing you to not work your forearms properly.

with proper forearm training you shouldnt need straps for anything other than massive lat pulldowns or deadlifts, most of which are weights none of us do.

[Narkissos]

^^I disagree.

-CNS

[Amorphic]

^^I disagree.

-CNS

lay it on me nark

[KZRSOIZE]

your talking about the schiek straps...right? I have a pair , their great when neccessary now i keep em in my gym bag in case of emergency only, i gave up with straps on deads, pull downs and any other i used them...sure my weight may have dropped but the truth is today my forearms and my grip is a death type, and ive exceeded my past heaviest marks... i havent used straps for about 16 months, dont miss em...but i got em if i need them....to each his own whatever works for you, if strengthing your grip isnt a big deal then f it, use em you will definetly get better back or whatever workouts your using em for ....good luck bro

[facile]

I personally believe to activate everything in my back I need to use heavy weights, straps allow me to use heavier weights and to isolate my back more efficiently. I work on forearms and grip strength on other days.

I use padded rubberized straps, never seen the dowel straps but I may look for them.

[Ark22]

I use straps on back day and only back day. I have improved my weight tremendously. The straps give you that extra edge that your natural grip doesn't for example when your grip is loosing the straps help you lift the last two heavy sets that you would have normally just dropped the bar...

[Narkissos]

lay it on me nark

Unless you're a pure 'strength athlete', not using straps puts you at a disadvantage.

There's a time and place for everything...and, fortunately, it's only the overuse of something that's potentially detrimental.

Your post:

i dont use straps, they let you 'cheat' but allowing you to not work your forearms properly.

Assuming you mean 'by' here you'd be correct.

..that is, assuming the user in question did everything, including tying his shoes, with his straps on.

Fortunately, the majority of lifters don't.

The majority uses straps when training within the upper limit of their strength or volume range.

Straps serve to allow the lifter to push past limitations.

Limitations, such as grip strength, do not increase exponentially when straps aren't used.

Ergo people choose not to limit the their overall development.

with proper forearm training you shouldnt need straps for anything other than massive lat pulldowns or deadlifts, most of which are weights none of us do.

I beg to differ.

-CNS

[nightdiver]

i bought the straps when the first signs of tenontitis appeared in my forearms.
Even though i managed to increase the weights way up

[wanabeMASSIVE!]

straps help me do that extra couple reps which = growth ..i fukin buzz offem!

[SmittyTheOX]

I train for strength and power, so I never use straps except for hanging knee raises. I do all my deads and other pulling exercises without them. My grip strength used to be my weak link but since dropping the straps it is now one of my strengths.

I have also noticed considerable increase in my bicep and even my shoulder strength.

[-DedicateD-]

I train for strength and power, so I never use straps except for hanging knee raises. I do all my deads and other pulling exercises without them. My grip strength used to be my weak link but since dropping the straps it is now one of my strengths.

I have also noticed considerable increase in my bicep and even my shoulder strength.

so you would sacrifice a bigger more developed back / traps for increased grip strength?

I know when i deadlift i can go without straps for up to 350-375 but anything over that my grip gives out WELL before my back does -- even less with traps bc i dont re-set my grip every rep

to strengthen my grip i just started using static holds at the end of workouts

[hauss man]

so you would sacrifice a bigger more developed back / traps for increased grip strength?

I know when i deadlift i can go without straps for up to 350-375 but anything over that my grip gives out WELL before my back does -- even less with traps bc i dont re-set my grip every rep

to strengthen my grip i just started using static holds at the end of workouts

he said he trains for strength and power. not everybody is a bodybuilder

[-DedicateD-]

he said he trains for strength and power. not everybody is a bodybuilder

i understand strength and power, why wouldn't a strength and power athlete want to maximize larger compound muscle group development?

we have the ability to train forearms and grip strength separately from each other, in my opinion it just seems counter-productive to sacrifice larger muscle groups for a set of smaller secondary muscles that can be trained on their own

[hauss man]

he is powerlifter, and straps are not allowed in meets. so what good will it do him to have astrong back but weak grip?

[Amorphic]

got my schiek dowel straps today, i will use them for a while and report back on how i like them for heavy stuff. (rows, deads, shrugs)

[KZRSOIZE]

had the dowel ones, i hope they work for you i felt the dowel would get in the way...and thats only when i was able to grip it, they seemed too short...good luck bro

[Amorphic]

had the dowel ones, i hope they work for you i felt the dowel would get in the way...and thats only when i was able to grip it, they seemed too short...good luck bro

yep we'll see how they go, using them for back day tomorrow

[SmittyTheOX]

he said he trains for strength and power. not everybody is a bodybuilder

Couldnt have said it better. You dont get the same effect with straps that you do without them.

On the other hand though DedicateD like I said, my grip is no longer my weak point. I can hold onto whatever weight my back can handle.

[rockinred]

I use the hookers... I only use those hookers when I get too heavy for my forearms to handle... only on deadlifts and traps.... I will go as far as I can without then blast them at the end with the hookers.

imo, I will never use straps again... the hookers seemed to be ten times better.

[maroZ]

i love those straps, just got a pair a week ago. never used straps before really but added soo much weight on my traps and deads

[D-Bo Dre]

I use the hookers... I only use those hookers when I get too heavy for my forearms to handle... only on deadlifts and traps.... I will go as far as I can without then blast them at the end with the hookers.

imo, I will never use straps again... the hookers seemed to be ten times better.

So Let me get this right.... When YOU get too heavy for your forearms to handle THEN you switch over to the hookers

I'm sorry I just thought this post was funny as hell imagining someone just reading it w/out knowing what the hell u guys r discussing..

"I will go as far as I can without then blast them at the end with the hookers" Blast away buddy, blast away!! lol

[jackdup04]

had the dowel ones, i hope they work for you i felt the dowel would get in the way...and thats only when i was able to grip it, they seemed too short...good luck bro

I can see how they could be too short 4some ..If they fit right with ur grip they're perfect though...Instantly added substantial weight to my deads,rows(of everykind)pulldowns and shrugs....