Straps and grip improvement...

[5kgLifter]

During my deadlifts the other day, I noticed that lifting the bar was easier when I removed the lifting straps, after doing a similarly heavy set with the straps.


What are people's thoughts on the following theory:

Using straps increases the diameter of the barbell, albeit minimally, due to the strap being wrapped around between the hand and the barbell. One or two wraps of a strap, even a very thin strap, can easily add a good few millimeters to the diameter. So, in a very loose sense, when using straps, we're creating a version of a thicker barbell which in turn is harder to grip. When the straps come off, the grip isn't as thick and the result is an easier grip and lift; even if only a minimal improvement...this may be more noticeable for those with really small hands...possibly.

I realise that straps permit for more weight to be lifted etc...but could there possibly be a carryover because of the slightly increased width of grip required when using the straps?

Just a personal observation; I have also noticed that using straps on the heavy sets does not set my grip back any but assists it for even heavier lifts when the straps aren't being used.

It may not be the same for everyone, of course, but has anybody else noticed this?

[BigJosh]

In my opinion the theory that straps can actually improve grip because of the slight width increase doesn't hold much water. The reason being(in my simple layman's terms) that the the straps significantly reduce the use of your own grip strength in the first place. So whether the bar is wider or not, the muscles in the forearms and hands that are used for gripping are greatly minimized from the equation.
I hope that makes some sort of since. I apologize if it doesn't.
And, this is just my thoughts on the subject.

[BendtheBar]

Some interesting questions.

I have small hands and find that cloth straps can be more of a burden because of the width increase. I've never liked them much, Just a personal thing.

[Trevor Ross]

Originally Posted by BigJosh

In my opinion the theory that straps can actually improve grip because of the slight width increase doesn't hold much water. The reason being(in my simple layman's terms) that the the straps significantly reduce the use of your own grip strength in the first place. So whether the bar is wider or not, the muscles in the forearms and hands that are used for gripping are greatly minimized from the equation.
I hope that makes some sort of since. I apologize if it doesn't.
And, this is just my thoughts on the subject.

So it's essentially a fat bar pull then?

[BigJosh]

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

So it's essentially a fat bar pull then?

That's not what I'm saying at all.

[Trevor Ross]

Originally Posted by BigJosh

That's not what I'm saying at all.

Okay, well at least you apologized beforehand if you didn't make complete sense. I'll have to read your post more thoroughly than.

[Kuytrider]

I have small hands to go with my short legs and I can't deadlift with straps at all. I've had similar experiences to you 5kg. On a few occasions, I couldn't get the bar off the ground wearing straps, I instantly ditched them and easily lifted the weight.
I could well be utilising the straps incorrectly. Also, Fazc has spoken at great length about grip issues being something of a warning about upper back weakness. He certainly has a point as my failed deadlifts have always been as a result of upper back/trap weakness.
Sod wraps and say yes to chalk I say mh:
Unless of course you're in one of the 99% of gyms that doesn't allow it

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by Kuytrider

I have small hands to go with my short legs and I can't deadlift with straps at all. I've had similar experiences to you 5kg. On a few occasions, I couldn't get the bar off the ground wearing straps, I instantly ditched them and easily lifted the weight.
I could well be utilising the straps incorrectly. Also, Fazc has spoken at great length about grip issues being something of a warning about upper back weakness. He certainly has a point as my failed deadlifts have always been as a result of upper back/trap weakness.
Sod wraps and say yes to chalk I say mh:
Unless of course you're in one of the 99% of gyms that doesn't allow it

Yep, that's what I noticed last week. Normally, after a heavy set of deads I reduce the weight so the fact that it's easier without the straps isn't so obvious but this time, for some strange reason, I was just having issues getting my fingers around the bar with the straps and couldn't grip properly...ditched the straps and gripped the bar and it went smoothly; one of those days, I guess but something interesting came from it.


Have you tried liquid chalk? You might be able to get away with that; I have to admit, it's good stuff, though I was wary initially about whether it would be or not.

[BigJosh]

Is that liquid chalk pretty easy to use? Is it messy or does it leave the hands feeling sticky and dirty for the rest of the workout?

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by BigJosh

Is that liquid chalk pretty easy to use? Is it messy or does it leave the hands feeling sticky and dirty for the rest of the workout?

Easy to use, spreads well so you don't need to use a lot either; hands feel dry, as in chalky and it does come off slowly throughout the workout but only on areas that have been gripped etc, not all over the place, on the floor and such.