Well I alternate 2 weeks rack pulls, 2 weeks deadlifts, I've kinda refocused on deadlifts after being stagnant for awhile at a best of 545, just kind lost interest and actually got weaker barely able to get 495. But over the last year I have obviously surpassed my previous best, about a month ago I got 585 for a single. I only use straps when we do gym strongman comps because usually they are for reps in one minute, so we hammer fast and hard and don't even want to think about grip, I quit using straps years ago for my normal workouts. I'm floating about 280 @ 6'2" and looking to get at least 605 tomorrow. The other thing is training with the strongman implements I think has helped my overall strength.