Straps for lifting. Yay or nay?

[#8]

I am of the opinion that straps are cheating and if you cant hold onto the weight you have no business lifting and or moving it. Take some time and train your grip until you can actually hold onto that weight on your own.

Thoughts?

[TT Eric]

Unless you are competing in a category that forbidden straps I personally think it's ok to use them, but only when your grip is holding you back, basically I try to avoid them, but if the forearms quit before the muscle I really wanna work, I use them. There is about 3 exercises I need them.

For example I'm using straps for db row, since db rows are an exercise for the back, not the forearms, I will not wait for my forearms to catch on to begin to reap the benefits of this exercise, beside when I do rows, the next few days, not only the back/tracks/rhomboids are sore, but also the biceps and forearms (and obliques), so they are working as well and progress as well. This is also what they were telling in PICP courses.

Eric

[#8]

I understand their function and the place they have in moving through plateaus and such, but I still believe it to be an assisted lift such as using a bench or squat suit. I do not wear any belts, straps, suits or other trendy gizmos that many choose to wear. Its a personal choice to be "raw" in all my movements because I am not looking to break records or move crazy poundages.

At the end of the day I still do consider assisted lifts, just that, assisted.

[TT Eric]

I don't put straps and belts in the same bag as suits, as they just assist the same muscles you are actually want to develop, belts and straps target other weak links, so they actually allow you to work better the muscles you wanna develop. But whatever float your boat man, I just gave my opinion because you asked.

Eric

[scottlove]

I understand their function and the place they have in moving through plateaus and such, but I still believe it to be an assisted lift such as using a bench or squat suit. I do not wear any belts, straps, suits or other trendy gizmos that many choose to wear. Its a personal choice to be "raw" in all my movements because I am not looking to break records or move crazy poundages.

At the end of the day I still do consider assisted lifts, just that, assisted.
Our gym doesn't allow chalk so if I'm working on some heavy deadlifts or rows, the gym can be muggy, what work is my back getting if I have to give up because my grip is slipping off? Who cares if it's assisted as long as your back is growing?

[warlock]

Straps are a tool like any other.

Overall I believe that they should be avoided not banished. I used them in the past to get a 2X BW deadlift just because I couldn't hold the bar after that I stopped using them since I felt that my goal was accomplished

[Hosehead]

It bodybuild , I don't powerlift. So there is ZERO reason for me to work on my grip. Plus, I have had peripheral arthritis for years and some days making a fist is tough for the first few hours upon waking. My forearms are good without working my grip so I see no beneficial to work on my grip strength. I only use starps on deads above 405 and above (which I can still bang off 15 reps) and db rows 150 and above.On the other hand , I don't wear a belt for squatting and haven't for years, and some would call that stupid. The reason I don't use it for squats ( I do for rows) is that I feel beltless squats are the best exercise for abs and lower back strength.
If I was competing in pling then I'd never use straps, obviously.

[Praetorian]

Very useful tools and also help prevent injury. Wraps for pressing...I dont see too many people pressing over 500lbs on the bench without wrist wraps! Also for deadlifting I dont see to many people pulling over 500lbs with both overhand grips without straps! Using an over under PL grip is necessary if you are competing but it also puts you in a position of greater risk of tearing a bicep tendon...not smart. Also elite level PL use straps and wraps to assist in training using various techniques. Generalizing doesnt address any issue or answer any question.
P

[IronRobi]

I don't put straps and belts in the same bag as suits, as they just assist the same muscles you are actually want to develop, belts and straps target other weak links, so they actually allow you to work better the muscles you wanna develop. But whatever float your boat man, I just gave my opinion because you asked.

Eric

I'm with you on this one. A squat or bench suit for example is designed to give what's called a "rebound". It's the rebound that helps you move the weight. There is absolutely no rebound effect by using straps which means they do not assist you in any way in moving the weight. My back is much stronger than my grip. Sure I could stop training back heavy for a few years and develop my grip strength while losing my back development. OR I could just use straps. Seems like a pretty easy choice to me.

[Hosehead]

I understand their function and the place they have in moving through plateaus and such, but I still believe it to be an assisted lift such as using a bench or squat suit. I do not wear any belts, straps, suits or other trendy gizmos that many choose to wear. Its a personal choice to be "raw" in all my movements because I am not looking to break records or move crazy poundages.

At the end of the day I still do consider assisted lifts, just that, assisted.

Not to be a dick , but now that a few of us have spoken and disagree with your position , what kind of numbers are these ' raw ' lifts you speak of that are not designed to be crazy heavy or record breaking ? Like Prae mentioned , I've rarely seen anyone in the gym move significant poundages without some form of assistance , with the exception of sanctioned meets. I've seen some good 'raw' lifts but none that were any more impressive than a guy wrapping his knees and wearing a belt to squat 600+ lbs for reps , bench 500 + with wrist wraps or deadlift 500 + with straps. Anyone with the balls to attempt any of those is a strong ****.

[Praetorian]

All of my best lifts in the gym were RAW. Remember what RAW means...in the squat it means no suit...wrist wraps, knee wraps, and belt are fine as these are used for safety not improving the lift. If you think you are going to up your squat by 100lbs with knee wraps you are mistaken. For bench RAW is without a shirt, wrist wraps and belt are fine. Deadlift...no suit or pulling straps...belt is fine.
Bench: 572lbs for 5 touch and go tshirt, belt and wrist wraps.
Squat: 749lbs for triple, tshirt, shorts, knee wraps, wrist wraps and belt.
Deadlift: 704lbs for single tshirt, sweat pants, belt.


Equipment such as belts, knee wraps, wrist wraps are used for safety when very heavy weights are used. Knee wraps increase the pressure inside the joint thus providing stability and reducing risk. Belts increase intra-abdominal pressure increasing core stability again reducing the risk of spinal injury. There are very good reasons for using this equipment...just watch any elite PL or strongman.
P

[scottlove]

While we're on the topic, does anyone know where I can buy leather wrist straps? Mine have seen better days.

[Praetorian]

prowriststraps.com

P

[Talo]

All of my best lifts in the gym were RAW. Remember what RAW means...in the squat it means no suit...wrist wraps, knee wraps, and belt are fine as these are used for safety not improving the lift. If you think you are going to up your squat by 100lbs with knee wraps you are mistaken. For bench RAW is without a shirt, wrist wraps and belt are fine. Deadlift...no suit or pulling straps...belt is fine.
Bench: 572lbs for 5 touch and go tshirt, belt and wrist wraps.
Squat: 749lbs for triple, tshirt, shorts, knee wraps, wrist wraps and belt.
Deadlift: 704lbs for single tshirt, sweat pants, belt.


Equipment such as belts, knee wraps, wrist wraps are used for safety when very heavy weights are used. Knee wraps increase the pressure inside the joint thus providing stability and reducing risk. Belts increase intra-abdominal pressure increasing core stability again reducing the risk of spinal injury. There are very good reasons for using this equipment...just watch any elite PL or strongman.
P
I guess it depends on what federation you're going to lift in or what you determine raw. 100% raw means no drugs, no knee wraps , but they are now let guys use wrist wraps for bench. In GPC they can use knee wraps and still be raw, in CPU they can use knee sleeves but not wraps....

[Andre Gregoire]

Now that I switched to Strongman from Bodybuilding I very rarely use straps, the reason is Grip is one of the most important aspects of Strongman along with Squat/Deadlift/Overhead Press.

I think it depends on your goals. I like that I can now Deadlift 500lbs for 3 reps without a belt or straps, I couldn't do that a year ago. I like that if I'm traveling for work I don't need to bring a belt, straps, etc.. like I used to. I can just walk in a gym with shorts and a t-shirt..

I still see the value in straps, I now use them sometimes on Bent over rows after Deadlifting to overload my upper back. I use them also on Stiff legs when I want my hamstrings/glutes to give out before my grip.

It's a personal choice. I now think that Grip strength is cool mostly because it's uncommon and my grip sucks as far as strongman goes so it's something I need to work hard on.

Having improved my grip has made my forearms bigger and made me stronger on other lifts also. You can squeeze the bar that much harder when doing things like presses, it makes a difference IMO.

[scottlove]

prowriststraps.com

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Thanks P.

[TT Eric]

prowriststraps.com

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Ordered some metal hook straps from them. Crazy shipping... from 45 U$ to 87$ CDN.

Eric