Straps

[HammerStrength12]

Squeezing the bar harder means more arm involvement which is the last thing I want when doing pulldowns or rows.


I would love to train with you because I think you have some big misconceptions about training and anatomy.

But the heavier weight you're able to use because of that increases the amount of work your lats do. If you don't care at all about strength, I understand completely. But it's not like anybody on here is making a LIVING competing in bodybuilding. Why NOT be strong?

I'd love to train with you, but first explain to me why

a) if you're doing sets of 10 pullups, why you should use straps if your grip is more than capable of holding it (assuming you have no tendon issues, DOMS, forearm fatigue, whatever)

b) why one WOULDNT want to have a strong grip?

[HammerStrength12]

Also, being a strength athlete not a bodybuilder (well, that's not entirely true, I'm doing my first competition soon, but my competitive background is in strength stuff), I have a huge bias here. But I still believe that having a good strength base (and that includes grip) has allowed me to put on a lot of size in a short period of time

[Diabetic Muscle]

But the heavier weight you're able to use because of that increases the amount of work your lats do. If you don't care at all about strength, I understand completely. But it's not like anybody on here is making a LIVING competing in bodybuilding. Why NOT be strong?
Strong is a relative statement. Is it that your arms are strong or your back is strong. More weight doesn't mean more lat involvement it means less. If you use more weight than your lat can move then another muscle group has to become in involved to help it move the weight.
I'd love to train with you, but first explain to me why

a) if you're doing sets of 10 pullups, why you should use straps if your grip is more than capable of holding it (assuming you have no tendon issues, DOMS, forearm fatigue, whatever)
Perhaps to prevent tendon issues, look at your back then your forearm. Which do you think is better able to hold and move your body through a range of motion? Now don't get me wrong if you weight sub 200lbs at 5'7" or taller then is a different story than someone 230lbs at the same height.

b) why one WOULDNT want to have a strong grip?

I am able to hold 455 for 15 secs with an over under grip with out ever specifically training my grip and using straps on most sets for back. I also get horrible hand cramps eating or holding a pin, I don't think training my grip will improve that. I've made it the majority of my life never needing a stronger grip than I have had. I will concede that just like my traps perhaps my genetics or the fact I was raised on a ranch might have helped.

[HammerStrength12]

Basic laws of physics. Use straps, and they do the work for your forearms. You're not hitting the lats any harder. I've never been able to "feel it" in the lats more by adding straps.

And I think a lot of you guys are interpreting me the wrong way. I'm not trying to tell everybody not to use straps, I just wanted to have a serious discussion about this because I do think too many people overuse them/

[benjifornothing]

Never used them, never will, don't believe in them. I know just about every bodybuilder in the gym seems to use them, but c'mon - do you really need straps to hold your own bodyweight when you're doing pullups.

I definitely realize that sometimes they can enable you to feel the muscle more, especially for back training. But in my honest opinion, grip strength is not only the most functional type of strength you can have in real life, but it's carryover to bodybuilding is huge too - grip strength = WAY more strength in general=more muscle. Don't believe me? Next time you do a set of curls, pullups, bench, whatever, try gripping the bar as hard as possible and watch how much easier the lift becomes.

What do people think about this? Am I missing something here? Or for some, do the benefits of straps outweigh the cons?

i sadly made the mistake of reading waaay too many dumbass Muscle & Fitness articles and spent my first couple yrs soley depending on straps for all movements. yes they seriously help develop the mind/muscle connection for back but now im paying for it. my back development is drastically over powering my arms development. ive recently lowered the weight on back movements and stopped using straps so much

[JYD]

fankhouser straps into leg presses and i haven't seen a judge mark him down for it... and his forearms are still huge

[Gunners]

No, I don't have a separate grip day. But having a stronger grip definitely makes all your other lifts go up. Just try squeezing the bar harder on pulldowns and watch how much easier the exercise becomes

Couldn't agree more! I like this article maybe it will give you guys some ideas - http://www.criticalbench.com/grip-strength.htm

However, straps have their place even for strength athletes. As for BB, i think it's really irrelevant, if your grip is getting in the way of your back training then of course use straps. We got to consider application here. Plus most BB like training with their thumbs over the bar to contract the back more, doing so significantly weakens the grip and takes the forearm out of play.

[Chadstallion]

have to use them for dead lifts. hands too small and grip too weak.

[Pheedno]

they get used