straps or no???

when doing SHRUGS with lots of weight( id say in excess of 100lb) should one use STRAPS for ease OR use GRIP force to work the hand/forearm muscles??? what to do...what to do

I use them. I've been on so many boards saying if you use straps you are just cheating yourself.

I disagree. My forearms will never hold 405 for shrugs but my traps can. I'm working my traps not my forearms. So in shrugs, I do think you outta use them if you cannot hold the weight.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

I absolutely agree. Use your hands until they can't hold the weight anymore, then pick up some straps when you're ready to go heavier.

-30-

In six months, what will your t-shirt say?

My training journal: Sweating with the toadies
My scattered thoughts: The Bramble

I can shrug 225 w/ straps, I'd never get anywhere near that w/o them.

www.leahwynne.com

well i use 100lb dumbells for 4 sets of 18(the junk gym i go to has 100lb dumbells and straight into the 125lb, no inbetween) and i find myself thinkin about the pressure on my hand and not my workout..and i dont even know how to use them...lol ill see if i can find some..

ORIGINAL: mda1125

I use them. I've been on so many boards saying if you use straps you are just cheating yourself.

I disagree. My forearms will never hold 405 for shrugs but my traps can. I'm working my traps not my forearms. So in shrugs, I do think you outta use them if you cannot hold the weight.

405!?!?!?!?! YIKES, that explains those shoulders in your pictures then, wow that IS impressive!!!
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, when I was a lot younger, I used straps for certain exercises (deads, shrugs, any exercise where the weight needed exceeded my grip strength) and I will use them again (once I get there of course )

As to whether you should or you shouldn't use em, do they assist you in hitting the muscles that need to be hit with the necessary weight? If yes, then use 'em. And to heck with those who say using straps are cheating.

Paul

A friend helps you move, a true friend helps you move bodies.

what pictures?? i havent seen any shoulders.....that IS alot of weight...good job

You should look in the DB Photo Gallery.. my pics.. mda1125 are there.. sad as it might be.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

ORIGINAL: mda1125

You should look in the DB Photo Gallery.. my pics.. mda1125 are there.. sad as it might be.

Wait'll you see mine that I'm putting up this weekend, gah, I'm embarassed.

Paul

A friend helps you move, a true friend helps you move bodies.

Already established but I thought I'd chime in anyway... A very wise (and large man) once asked me if I though my wrists were as strong as my back (or traps in this case). The answer of course is a resounding no. There's no way that your wrists can keep up, to continue growth use straps your grip strength shouldn't be your limiting factor. I will add that in your warm up sets don't use them if you can do without them so that you can improve your grip strength.

D

i need some..but they have none here in this desert....i tried a set of 125lb shurgs....felt good but my hands were opening since REP 1..i squeezed out 10 of them.....the dubmell was hangin on the fingertip...lol

How is everyones ROM though?  Too many times I see people with hundreds of pounds and move their shoulders up 1 inch.

Hook Grip > Straps

Does anyone care about being strong?  Or is it just looks 100% of the time?

• My Lifting Blog

Please check it out.

Or is it just looks 100% of the time?

Yup...

But strength will come by nature to a cetain extent.

If you are truly concerened with strength, then bodybuilding might not be the right approach and you should focus on stength training and those routines.

Or do what some BBers do and cycle your training between going for muscle growth and periods of raw strength gains.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

I think that my grip is dirt.  Knowing this I went out and bought some straps.  Then after reading and finding some motivation, I would have to say that straps were a pointless purchase for me at this point.  I would advise that you lift as hard as you can without straps before using them.  I started using straps when I got to about 240 bbshrug, and I used them one week then took them off and REALLY focused and am at shrugging 260 without straps.  I'm not disagreeing with Marc, but I want to strengthen my weak little grip.  If I ever get to 405 I'll probably wear straps haha, but unless i absolutely need straps I won't use them. (at least twice i thought i needed straps when really I just needed to focus and do it).  

age: 24
height: 6'4"
weight: 217lbs
bf% 15
____________
currently attempting first bulk

I only ever used them heavy deads for lots of reps and for shrugs because they're always for lots of reps i.e. 6+.

I can hold just about any weight in my hands for one rep, but after a couple the weight starts slipping. But I do believe you should work your grip as hard and long as you can before using them.

I also wrap towels around bars I'm gripping to work my grip even more i.e. the pullup bar, SLDL, rows.

Add me on facebook!

straps are for SEEESSSYY MEN like mark david

lol jk but i never use straps, mostly because i dont need them. but if you feel they are necessary for you to complete your exercise, and you arent performing an exercise that trains the forarms(or if that isnt your objective when doing that exercise), then by all means use them.

first day with no buds, 11/17, need a new job. 1 down 13 to go.

When I recently got my deadlifts up over 300 pounds, I found that straps were essential to rep out.  What I do is leave the straps out of the warm up sets and only use them for extremely heavy lifts.  I've also started working on my grip with the Farmer's Carry and other exercises designed to improve grip strength.  I even have that grip putty in my car and I work on my grip as I'm drving in bumper to bumper traffic.  I full expect to be able to deadlift over 300 pounds one day WITHOUT the straps, but if my grip is behind the rest of my body, why slow down the progress?  Straps are just another tool for lifting heavier and heavier weight.
 
 

Tired of information overload?  Confused about which plan is the right one for you?  Get yourself out of the dark by going to http://www.fitnessexpose.com/ and learn how to get into the best shape