are straps bad for lat pulls, cable rows ,etc...?

[Ronnie Rowland]

Thats because you have a weak grip. You guys are way too dependent on these straps. Again i could see you using them for maybe your last heavy set but more than that and your just hurting yourself IMO.



I have small hands and a strong grip.

I too have small hands and a strong grip but you take someone with large hands, thick-muscle fingers and fairly large forearms and they are at a great advantage. Prime example, my uncle does not lift weights nor can he lift a lot in the gym compared to me. We have trained together twice. But, he has very large hands, thick fingers and decent forearm size (not nearly as big as mine). Still yet, he can put a hurting on me with his grip alone if he gets a hold of my hand or wrist ehen we wrestle. His grip is like a vise! That's what I was trying to point out.

I use straps on wide grip chins only because I have become so strong on them I need to use a weight harness. Don't really need the straps but can crank out another rep and feel safer. I never use them on rows because they hinder me. Straps are great for heavy Dead-lifts!

[Jfew44]

I too have small hands and a strong grip but you take someone with large hands, thick-muscle fingers and fairly large foearms and they are at a great advantage. Prime example, my uncle does not lift weights nor can he lift a lot in the gym. I know because wqe have trained together twice. But, he has very large hands, thick fingers and decent forearm size (not nearly as big as mine). Still yet, he can put a hurting on me with his grip alone if he gets a hold of my hand or wrist. His grip is like a vise! That's what I was trying to point out.

I use straps on wide grip chins only because I have become so strong on them I need to use a weight harness. Don't realluy need the straps but can crank out another rep and feel safer. I never use them on rows because they hinder me. Straps are great for Dead-lifts!

Alot of forearm strength comes from a daily job. People that work construction or anything that involves daily intense forearm use will have much stronger forearm strength than someone who sits at a computer 10 hours a day then works his forearms out.

I will use straps on 3-5 rep deads and occasionally on shrugs when my forearms are too tired to take the weight to make me feel it in my traps.

[dece870717]

If you're going to use something to help with grip why not replace the straps with chalk?

[sweeney todd]

If you're going to use something to help with grip why not replace the straps with chalk?

chalk is MUCH BETTER than straps. cant even compare the two.

[DMCat]

Alot of forearm strength comes from a daily job. People that work construction or anything that involves daily intense forearm use will have much stronger forearm strength than someone who sits at a computer 10 hours a day then works his forearms out.

I will use straps on 3-5 rep deads and occasionally on shrugs when my forearms are too tired to take the weight to make me feel it in my traps.

I sit at a computer to work, but I understand your statement. My purpose for strong grip strength is to support martial arts. But more than that, it does more than feel good when I can perform heavy deads without worrying about my grip.
Most (non-lateral) back movements are compound exercises. I can never understand why anyone would not want to take those same opportunities to improve forearm strength. It just seems like a natural extension.

Since I have never had a weak grip, I may not be relating well. But if I did, I would make it my priority to strengthen it...instead of using methods to hide the weakness...

[Ronnie Rowland]

Most (non-lateral) back movements are compound exercises. I can never understand why anyone would not want to take those same opportunities to improve forearm strength. It just seems like a natural extension.

I also want my grip to be as strong as possible but I'll tell you why some benefit big-time with the use of straps. I train a pro-football player 3 times a week at Golds Gym in SC. I train him like a power-lifter/strength athlete using a Slingshot approach, not a bodybuilder because he's wanting more strength as opposed to size. He's a linebacker and his primary concern is lower body/core strength not upper body strength. His dead-lift has become so strong now that he cannot hang onto the bar for the full duration of a set. Under these circumstances it's important to use straps, etc. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

And yes, hard labor work most definetly increases hand grip strength.

[FireGuy]

I sit at a computer to work, but I understand your statement. My purpose for strong grip strength is to support martial arts. But more than that, it does more than feel good when I can perform heavy deads without worrying about my grip.
Most (non-lateral) back movements are compound exercises. I can never understand why anyone would not want to take those same opportunities to improve forearm strength. It just seems like a natural extension.

Since I have never had a weak grip, I may not be relating well. But if I did, I would make it my priority to strengthen it...instead of using methods to hide the weakness...

Non-Lateral back movements? Can you give me an example of a lateral back movement?

One more thing, I assume everyone here opposed to straps is also opposed to wrapping your knees on heavy squats?

[DSM4Life]

Non-Lateral back movements? Can you give me an example of a lateral back movement?

One more thing, I assume everyone here opposed to straps is also opposed to wrapping your knees on heavy squats?

I am not opposed to them. All these additional aids have their place for different training styles but what gets me are when people say "Oh man, i HAVE to use straps." No you don't. 99% of people use them because they make the lift easier. I use to be in the same mind set, my grip gives out before my back so i am hurting my back progress by doing this. Back off the weight and slowly work yourway back up 100% without straps and your body/grip will adjust (like i said/did in my post on the first page). If anything the straps started to hindered my performance in other areas of my workout.

BTW i do use chalk and thats it.