Gloves, Straps?

[EasyEJL]

Since nobody else mentioned them, I'll chime in. I use versa gripps



basically act as either gloves or straps/hooks depending on how you use the paddle part. Nice thing is that if you wear them loose at the wrist, they are easy to spin around so that the paddle part is on the back of your hand. Here is their site

http://www.versagripps.com/

I use em because i have thumb arthritis from being a software developer too long and too much time at a keyboard. So I don't have crap for grip due to that.

[drivehard]

ive gotten 430 mixed grip, 485 rack pull and my biceps are still fine.. Im sure thats not up to the weights you can move but being in the 180ish range i think thats pretty good never even felt bicep pain...

I can attest to the statement that a mixed grip is asking for trouble!

First off...when I train deadlift, I use straps for anything over 405...mixed grip up to that point. Deadlift and heavy bent over DB rows is all I use straps for. In my last strongman competition I was over/under handing my last deadlift, and sure enough popped my biceps tendon (distel). My grip was plenty strong...it was the biceps that gave out.

So, my advice is if you plan on competing, train the over/under grip all the time. If you don't...use straps. I think its just an overall safer option. There are other ways to train grip (FARMERS WALK!).

[Naberious]

Since nobody else mentioned them, I'll chime in. I use versa gripps

basically act as either gloves or straps/hooks depending on how you use the paddle part. Nice thing is that if you wear them loose at the wrist, they are easy to spin around so that the paddle part is on the back of your hand. Here is their site

I use em because i have thumb arthritis from being a software developer too long and too much time at a keyboard. So I don't have crap for grip due to that.

I was going to say the same thing... I like them because I hate wearing gloves, and these serve the same purpose (keeping me from ripping the calluses off my hands) while also working as straps

[cad05k]

Straps can be clutch, just make sure to wash them. This may seem obvious, but ya can get ringworm from them if you dont! And this **** is just GROSS

[Rodja]

Straps can be clutch, just make sure to wash them. This may seem obvious, but ya can get ringworm from them if you dont! And this **** is just GROSS

Yet another reason to use chalk.

[brownstown89]

I can attest to the statement that a mixed grip is asking for trouble!

First off...when I train deadlift, I use straps for anything over 405...mixed grip up to that point. Deadlift and heavy bent over DB rows is all I use straps for. In my last strongman competition I was over/under handing my last deadlift, and sure enough popped my biceps tendon (distel). My grip was plenty strong...it was the biceps that gave out.

So, my advice is if you plan on competing, train the over/under grip all the time. If you don't...use straps. I think its just an overall safer option. There are other ways to train grip (FARMERS WALK!).

i want to do a competition bad! i usually pull singles for deadlift.. something starting at 275 after squats and work up to a max single in the 400s

[SemiBulimic]

I'm sorry but as soon as i see gloves on someone i think the worst of them, i don't care if they're a big dude, to me they're a big dude with a hand-modelling career who has a weak grip and is scared of callouses (which for manual self-evacuation of the scrotum are for your own satisfaction if you get my drift).

At the very worst, straps are excusable, just. I use liquid chalk and i've yet to reach a weight i can't handle with my own grip, maybe my grip's good or my wieghts are bad i don't know.

[Ironhyde]

I've never seen so much time spent talking over gloves, straps, etc. I said it earlier and I'll say it again...you're a MAN, act like it! Grab that barbell with your bare mits and hold on for dear life! I have really small hands and I have pulled 605 from the floor in competition and 755 out of the rack just below the knee...all without straps. If you use straps, ditch them. Your grip strength will catch up. It only took about a month for my grip strength to catch up. Having a strong grip will make you stronger on a variety of different lifts, and it is also something that can prove to be quite useful in everyday life. Or as I like to calll it, functional strength. Now lose the sand in your vag, chalk up, and pull like a man!

And I have to disagree with the comments made about not using an over/under grip on deadlift. If a bicep tears from using an over/under grip on the deadlift, it's because the bicep is the weak link. How do you eliminate this? Train your biceps. Hammer curls are an excellent accomadating exercise for overall bicep strength and health and great for forearm strength as well.

[brownstown89]

I've never seen so much time spent talking over gloves, straps, etc. I said it earlier and I'll say it again...you're a MAN, act like it! Grab that barbell with your bare mits and hold on for dear life! I have really small hands and I have pulled 605 from the floor in competition and 755 out of the rack just below the knee...all without straps. If you use straps, ditch them. Your grip strength will catch up. It only took about a month for my grip strength to catch up. Having a strong grip will make you stronger on a variety of different lifts, and it is also something that can prove to be quite useful in everyday life. Or as I like to calll it, functional strength. Now lose the sand in your vag, chalk up, and pull like a man!

And I have to disagree with the comments made about not using an over/under grip on deadlift. If a bicep tears from using an over/under grip on the deadlift, it's because the bicep is the weak link. How do you eliminate this? Train your biceps. Hammer curls are an excellent accomadating exercise for overall bicep strength and health and great for forearm strength as well.

yup i use to do wraps ditched them it took me about 4 weeks to atch up on grip strength... and exactly it pisses me of there are like 4 threads asking what kinda shoes to squat in and dealift in thats not gonna add a damn pound to the bar.

[BiG in NYC 82]

Another vote for bare hands + chalk....build up that grip strength!!!

[VolcomX311]

Improve your grip; Keeping pulling the deads raw grip and in less time then you think, the grip will catch up.

Also, if you do deads with a stop & pause at the bottom instead of a bounce, its a bit easier on the grip because of that brief time of release at the bottom.

[ecupirate]

liquid chalk and fat gripz to help build your strength.

[WarMachine000]

Only use them when I go above 315 in dead lift and wide grip lifts.

Its best to work the forearms to get use to the weight though. Generally I would only use straps if I want to crush the weight or try maxing my 1 rep max.

I agree, and don't use straps or gloves anymore, but if your back or traps require more than your grip (strength sweat or whatever) I would do what you have to do to stimulate the muscle group you are training. Good luck with your training!

[WarMachine000]

I think a blanket statement like 'mixed grip is dangerous' is a little overboard. Yes, there is a higher likelyhood of a bicep tear using a mixed grip (less if you're using good technique). But thousands of guys use a mixed grip for heavy deadlifting year after year and never have a problem, other than a little elbow tendonitis of course.

Never had a problem with mixed grip in ten years- helps a lot with holding the weight. Also, I've read that there is no need to change up which hand is over or under as it doesn't create any imbalance in strength or symmetry

[TheLastRonin]

Konstantinov says no to straps....and belts...and gloves...

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnzOEj5KC7w&feature=re lated"]YouTube- Konstantinovs Deadlift 426kg(939lb) RAW,no belt[/nomedia]

I wear gloves in the winter b/c my basement has no heat so I can see my breath because I live in Frickin Canada....I also use under armour,a touque and wool haha. Other than that chalk is your friend. As is an over under grip. Safe if you do it properly.