How do weightlifting hand wraps?!

[spirez]

Now this is a REAL noob question, i almost feel ashamed asking it!

But how do you use those weightlifting handwrap things? My grip gets fried before i can finish a set sometimes and it pisses me off so bought some of these wraps to help.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/spirez/DSCF0914.jpg

Is it as simple as threading the one end through the loop, pulling it tight around the wrist and then wrapping the rest (the part that you threaded through the loop) around the bar? Or am i missing the trick?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/spirez/DSCF0916.jpg

Ta!

[Gary]

Don't use wraps for dumbell work, if you can't grip it you need to do more grip work. Using wraps will mean you do less grip work and the problem just gets worse.

Try doing some pinch grip work instead.

[spirez]

The dumbell was just for illustration purposes

[Gary]

What grip work are you doing at the moment, what lifts do you need it for and how heavy are you lifting?

[spirez]

Endurance, 300 style circuits. One of them involves 50 deadlifts @ 50kg.

I've started doin gi/towel pullups for grip and farmers walks with weight plates for pinch grip.

[Colucci]

Now this is a REAL noob question, i almost feel ashamed asking it! But how do you use those weightlifting handwrap things?

http://www.thetrainingstationinc.com/lifting-straps.html
Googling "how to use weightlifting straps" brings you to the above link. ;)

The line I used to toss out here and there was "If you can't lift the weight, then you shouldn't lift the weight", meaning that straps had no real place in an athlete's training. However, lately I've been thinking that strategic use of straps will probably be beneficial in the long-run, as long as they aren't used as too much of a crutch.

But if you're noticing a weakness in your grip that's hindering your training, then I'd definitely look into some form of grip work.

Actually, experimenting with lifting hooks (http://www.prowriststraps.com/weight_lifting_hook_straps) have been on my to-do list for a while. I just have to find a solid pair.

[spirez]

I did google but used wraps instead of straps, probably why i got poor results, lol

There are a lot of reps involved with what i do so that's why my grip is poor at the moment but i am working on it separately too. However if it means the difference between me getting 40 and 50 reps then i'll use them til i can do them without.

I've recently started doing BJJ with the gi and that's a good grip workout too

Cheers

[CosmicFish]

OK, this is just off the top of my head so take it as seriously as you want.

If you're doing 50 deadlifts in one go, how about next time you do them, time it. Then get yourself a gripper that's fairly easy but still something of a challenge and practise holding it for the same length of time. The biggest problem I can see with this is finding a gripper with the right level or resistance. I've got an Ivanko Supergripper - it might work for you. If you are interested, I've only ever found one place in the UK that sells them:

http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/strength/gripping/ivanko-supergripper/prod_143.html

They were out of stock when I ordered, so I got mine shipped from the USA, consequently I can't vouch for how good the company are. The gripper itself is great, however.

Hope this helps.

[spirez]

Cheers, will look into that. I was looking at the CoC grippers but they are £20 for one. I heard some negative things about the Ivanko over on Ross Training forums, something about it being awkward to change resistance?

How do you find it?

[Prophet]

You could allways just jack the weight of your deadlifts up. That alone will be some solid grip training. Heavy deadlift holds worked wonders for my grip.

[CosmicFish]

Cheers, will look into that. I was looking at the CoC grippers but they are £20 for one. I heard some negative things about the Ivanko over on Ross Training forums, something about it being awkward to change resistance?

How do you find it?
I find it no problem at all, but then I wonder if mine might have a flaw that works to my advantage:

There's a catch on the outer handle that stops the inner handling opening wider than a certain amount. On mine, there's enough give in the pivot for me to push it to one side and slide the handle past this catch, giving me ample room to move the springs up and down. I also leave it in this position when it's not in use. When it's on this catch there's still a small amount of tension in the springs. I like to leave them slack so as to not stretch the tension out of them.

Oh, and another tip if you do decide to get one. A lot of people who use them like to add their own wrapping to the handles. In their normal state there's no knurling on the handles and it makes gripping a little difficult, especially when the hands get sweaty. I wrapped mine with tennis racket handle wrap. I got the thick one, which was too much. A thin one would probably have been better.

[Suhosthe]

Cosmic said these exact words - regarding the CoC grip trainers - to me last week, and I'm surprised he hasn't said them again in this thread:
There's not a great deal of carry over from those to deadlifting. It's a different sort of grip training.And it is. Just so you know.

Then he laughed at me because I use straps for deadlifting.

A lot of lifting comes down to psychology. I find I can manage that extra DL while doing higher rep work because I know when my grip goes, the rest of the muscles engaged in the lift will carry on and the bar is supported. Straps helped me get over a psychological barrier preventing me from increasing my load.

I do intend to give them up... eventually. ;)

"My name is Su, and I'm a strapoholic." :Angel:

[CosmicFish]

I wouldn't say "not a great deal", but more "less than you'd expect". It won't have 100% carry over but it will help some. But yeah, you raise a good point by bringing up that it's not a 100% carryover. My bad on missing that out.



Oh, and you do look cute with your little sraps on.

Oh yes.

Awwww. :love:










*ahem* . . . sorry. :D