Straps

[HammerStrength12]

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?

[robert da strongman]

straps for pullups? ok that is a puss move....can't hold your bodyweight you better train your grip.

i use them when i don't want my grip to give out. but only on my heaviest sets.
i also use them when i know i will be training grip or doing heavy events that require hand strength.

[HammerStrength12]

straps for pullups? ok that is a puss move....can't hold your bodyweight you better train your grip.

i use them when i don't want my grip to give out. but only on my heaviest sets.
i also use them when i know i will be training grip or doing heavy events that require hand strength.

Exactly. But it just seems like so many people use them even when their grip is capable of holding the weight

[Growin24/7]

i do not do pullups but for just about every back lift i use them on the 3rd and 4th set...they do give me a few extra pounds and take some of the pressure off my fingers and stuff but i will agree ppl seem to use them when they don't need to...i c guys all the time benching with them on and that would be much worse imo b.c i tried it and it felt horrible and uneven kinda

[HammerStrength12]

You guys contradict yourselves. Bodyweight pullups eventually lead to an anaerobic threshold as well. Your grip will give out as well. Why not just strap in and get cleaner reps and perhaps a few more? If you wanna build grip strength, then do grip-specific movents. I'm a bodybuilder, I'm looking to target specific muscle groups when I work out. If straps help keep it out of my forearms at the end and in the desired muscle group then I will use them.

You're grip should not give out during pullups period though! If you can only do 8 pullups without straps versus 15 with them, then by all means wear them. But IMO, that lack of grip strength is holding you back on a lot of other lifts as well

[shawncathey]

ive experimented with them and mostly workout with out them. my grip strength does go down when i use them for a while and then switch back to no straps. so i prefer without them and i still get killer back workouts but then again my palms are like leather now so who needs em!

[joe d]

imo straps are good for nothing other than to keep your grip weak. i dont think their is any reason someone with all fingers and thumbs couldnt keep their grip strength up to par. i also notice a lot of the strap and hook users happen to have small forearms especially on top.

[tiramisu]

Straps are great for when you've overtrained your grip. My elbow tendons get inflamed when I pull deads, rows, chins and powercleans every week. My back on the other hand needs the work. I give my grip extra recovery days by using straps if I have any tendon flare ups.

[HammerStrength12]

You guys contradict yourselves. Bodyweight pullups eventually lead to an anaerobic threshold as well. Your grip will give out as well. Why not just strap in and get cleaner reps and perhaps a few more? If you wanna build grip strength, then do grip-specific movents. I'm a bodybuilder, I'm looking to target specific muscle groups when I work out. If straps help keep it out of my forearms at the end and in the desired muscle group then I will use them.

Honestly, even if your grip gives out after 10 pullups with 2 plates attached to you, you're grip is still weak IMO

[Ibarramedia]

I don't use them for pull ups but use them for bent over rows and shrugs.

[HammerStrength12]

I don't use them for pull ups but use them for bent over rows and shrugs.

Do you feel that you really need to or is it just a habbit?

[tiramisu]

Straps are a tool, like a belt or knee wraps. I have seen the mentally ill wearing all of the above while doing arm curls and sldl's. Saying don't use the tool because really stupid people misuse use it doesn't make any sense at all.

[Ibarramedia]

Do you feel that you really need to or is it just a habbit?

I need them because when I do shrugs or rows, My grip lessens with the additional sets and weights added. The target muscles like back and traps can handle more, so this helps me extend the workout. As my grip gets better, I use them less. That is what the straps are intended for anyway.

[HammerStrength12]

Straps are a tool, like a belt or knee wraps. I have seen the mentally ill wearing all of the above while doing arm curls and sldl's. Saying don't use the tool because really stupid people misuse use it doesn't make any sense at all.

No, I think smart people misuse them as well. In fact, just about everyone I see misuses them. The science behind it just isn't well established in the bodybuilding world, but honestly, why neglect an opportunity to train your grip when you have the chance? Grip strength comes in handy for so many sports/skills/things in real life, so why not work it whenever? I have guy friends, bigger than me that use straps when deadlifting 315 for reps. Thats' just downright embarrassing IMO if you're that big but can't hold on to 315lbs. Strongmen to farmers walks with that weight (in EACH hand)

[HammerStrength12]

I need them because when I do shrugs or rows, My grip lessens with the additional sets and weights added. The target muscles like back and traps can handle more, so this helps me extend the workout. As my grip gets better, I use them less. That is what the straps are intended for anyway.

That's how they're supposed to be used, I completely understand.

It's the people that use them for exercises where their back muscles or w/e give out before their grip does. That's what bothers me the most