Straps and grip improvement...

[Jen]

In my limited experience this is what I have found. I use straps for my heaviest deadlift only and find that my grip has improved enough to lift the prior weights easily.

For example, when my max was 185, I used straps. Now, 185 is a warm up, no straps, no problem. 205, no straps, so problem. New max is 230 -- I use straps. When my max goes up and 230 is a warm up -- no straps.

[jhew]

probably comes down to the fact that the smaller diameter bar is more easily gripped. It's something I would be interested in finding out. Mark Rippetoe said something along the lines of "the body won't lift what the hands can't grip" in starting strength; had to do with the proprioceptors.

[big valsalva]

Just to throw this out there for consideration, 5kg. What sort of grip are you using? I found that once I convinced myself to switch to a mixed grip, then what grip issues I had disappeared. I use it now on my heaviest sets, and use matched overhand grip on warmup sets. Very simillar to how Jen employs straps.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

Just to throw this out there for consideration, 5kg. What sort of grip are you using? I found that once I convinced myself to switch to a mixed grip, then what grip issues I had disappeared. I use it now on my heaviest sets, and use matched overhand grip on warmup sets. Very simillar to how Jen employs straps.

I use double overhand but I haven't got any grip issues per se, it's just that I noticed the same weightload was easier minus the straps, on that particular day...could also just have been one of those days.

I never used mix grip, having tried it once and not feeling comfortable at all.

[Bill]

i throw in the straps on the heaviest sets or reps outs...i don't want to miss a lift due to hands failing. Also, i feel like i can put more effort into the lift when not worrying about my hands.