Author Topic: how many of you use STRAPS,WRAPS,GLOVES and BELTS? (Read 2733 times)

the shadow · « **on:** November 16, 2006, 10:48:53 AM »

i have read this in a lot of magazines that do not encourage the use of straps,wraps,belts and gloves and in other cases they do encourage..most of the time they say that wraps particularly minimize muscle growth and due to the leverage provied by them,muscle growth takes a back seat..is this true?

JPM · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2006, 01:46:23 PM »

That would be trash talk. Leverage has nothing to do with it. Growth is not limited or halted. Belt's and wraps are usually worn for max lift's, not general workouts, though they can help support an injured area from time to time. Besides most guy's haven't a clue how to adjust a belt or apply a wrap. Gloves are worn by misinformed trainee's who may feel the need to protect the palms of the hand, for what ever reason.

Straps are designed to handle extra heavy loads. Where one would normally not be able to complete the exercise without them. Straps should not be used on every exercise, where you may depend too much on them rather than your grip. I disagree with people who might say to never use straps, you will weaken the grip. Straps can be a very helpful tool when trying for the last 2 or 3 very heavy rep's that really count. Your not going to make those reps if the grip gives out. I use straps on DL's (in all forms) and weighted chins (sometimes one arm) at certain training periods. Nylon straps work the best for me. The leather & heavy cotton one's tend to break, always at the wrong time, it seems. Good Luck.

Saskbb · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2006, 01:57:17 PM »

Quote from: the shadow on November 16, 2006, 10:48:53 AM

i have read this in a lot of magazines that do not encourage the use of straps,wraps,belts and gloves and in other cases they do encourage..most of the time they say that wraps particularly minimize muscle growth and due to the leverage provied by them,muscle growth takes a back seat..is this true?

I use wraps and a belt when doing legs (not back) and I also used straps for my back and traps. Never gloves. But I'm old (43 and still comp. at a National level in Bodybuilding).

Old_Rooster · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:20:32 PM »

Think about this when you think about straps. If you can deadlift 400 without straps but 500 with straps, why wouldn't you use straps? When you are doing deadlifts, are you training your back or are you training your grip?

Deadpool · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:59:31 PM »

Quote from: cap86 on November 16, 2006, 02:42:19 PM

I'm training my grunting ability for my visit to Planet Fitness. I want to set the record for the loudest grunt to set off the lunk alarm.

lololoz

DNewbie · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2006, 03:33:37 PM »

Deadlifts-Last 2 sets, straps
Heavy benching- Wrist wraps
Deads, Squats, Barbell Curls-Belt
Lat Pulldowns- Straps

And-I could care less what people think about it!

natural al · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2006, 05:13:03 PM »

I wear a belt for almost anything that stesses the lower back. I've got big problems with my low back. I'm going to go to a chiropractor after the 1st of the year. I wear straps for alot of pulling movements. I worked in a shop doing die repair for along time and I would break fingers all the time, I never had a great grip to begin with but now it really sucks.

headhuntersix · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2006, 09:06:13 PM »

Max lifts on Deads... and I try and keep increasing my raw deadlift without wraps. I use a belt for heavier squats..its more mental then anything. I do cage lift offs to help increase my raw deadlift ability. I don't understand the whole glove thing.

the shadow · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2006, 12:21:18 AM »

Quote from: DNewbie on November 16, 2006, 03:33:37 PM

Deadlifts-Last 2 sets, straps
Heavy benching- Wrist wraps
Deads, Squats, Barbell Curls-Belt
Lat Pulldowns- Straps

And-I could care less what people think about it!

damn i hate wrist wraps..i used the wrist wraps for the first time for benching this week and damn my forearms started pain alot..it actually pumps the forearms more somehow..i hate these things..i only use gloves for for a better grip in every exercise since my palms get sweaty real quick and belt for most of the free weight exercises...

dontknowit · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2006, 04:40:27 AM »

Belt for (max) squat, deadlift and BOR,
straps when training back and for shrugs. Big hand, short fingers.

GET_BIGGER · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2006, 08:07:27 AM »

Belt for my heaviest squat, and dumbell shoulder press.

Dont wear straps anymore cause I am paranoid they were prohibiting forearm growth.

gloves?.......shakes head

dovidov · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2006, 05:55:23 PM »

IMO if you're not using straps/belt/wraps then you are cheating yourself

Yev33 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:54:37 PM »

I use a belt for the heaviest sets of squats and deadlifts, I use it on all the sets of Barbell Rows and T-bar rows, because I think that those movements put your lower back in a compromising position. I tried using gloves once and hated it, maybe that's just me. I use straps and adhere to a very simple rule, if my grip is slipping then it's time to use them. I don't see the point in using straps for every single set, you know when you need them.

Redwine · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2006, 11:25:02 PM »

i do use belt for squads... just got my straps today lol... my hands hurts without em

GoneAway · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2006, 01:04:47 AM »

I use gloves for chins because it kills my hands without them and straps sometimes stiff leg deads.

Stubborn · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2006, 07:27:50 AM »

I tried gloves but quickly learned that they are nearly pointless. Straps are totally necessary at some point. Your lifting capacity will exceed your grip one time or another, so why hinder one because of the other? Knee wraps are another one I believe any heavy lifter should have. You only get one set of knees, take care of them, and learn from others mistakes. Belts?.....I never noticed a difference myself but I also dont DL over 700lbs, lol.

Beener · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2006, 11:36:32 AM »

Get some chalk.

dragonheart · « **Reply #17 on:** November 19, 2006, 10:47:59 AM »

I always wear gloves, so my hands dont get the skin tore off. I only use straps when dead lifting

blak_ice · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2006, 12:28:49 PM »

Only pu$$ies wear gloves. I wear a belt for all lifts. Even wrist curls. I wear a belt during cardio and even in the sauna.

dovidov · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2006, 06:42:25 PM »

Quote from: blak_ice on November 19, 2006, 12:28:49 PM

Only pu$$ies wear gloves. I wear a belt for all lifts. Even wrist curls. I wear a belt during cardio and even in the sauna.

i think i've seen u b4

Ledd · « **Reply #20 on:** November 19, 2006, 07:37:32 PM »

Personally I like the feeling of the knurling biting into my skin on all my lifts.

dizzleman06 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 27, 2006, 02:32:38 PM »

Quote from: JPM on November 16, 2006, 01:46:23 PM

That would be trash talk. Leverage has nothing to do with it. Growth is not limited or halted. Belt's and wraps are usually worn for max lift's, not general workouts, though they can help support an injured area from time to time. Besides most guy's haven't a clue how to adjust a belt or apply a wrap. Gloves are worn by misinformed trainee's who may feel the need to protect the palms of the hand, for what ever reason.

Straps are designed to handle extra heavy loads. Where one would normally not be able to complete the exercise without them. Straps should not be used on every exercise, where you may depend too much on them rather than your grip. I disagree with people who might say to never use straps, you will weaken the grip. Straps can be a very helpful tool when trying for the last 2 or 3 very heavy rep's that really count. Your not going to make those reps if the grip gives out. I use straps on DL's (in all forms) and weighted chins (sometimes one arm) at certain training periods. Nylon straps work the best for me. The leather & heavy cotton one's tend to break, always at the wrong time, it seems. Good Luck.

i would love to hear you tell Ronnie Coleman(who wears gloves during every workout) that gloves are for the uninformed...that is dumb, different things feel comfortable to different people, there is no right or wrong...

JPM · « **Reply #22 on:** November 27, 2006, 05:59:57 PM »

That would be subjective, not dumb, to wear gloves or not. Other than becoming a habit of wearing gloves for the hell of it or to protect the palms (some guy's need extra padding when doing heavy benches/inclines for example) there would be really no other reason (except maybe to help the workout glove manufactures..notice most of those photo setup training sessions will have a brand of exercise or wearing equipment name showing). I don't know if Coleman wears gloves every workout. When he's away from the photo shoots and video taping and into a real training session, who knows. It really does not matter. And of course there is a totally right and totally wrong way to look at training for each of us. Good Luck.

dizzleman06 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 28, 2006, 03:36:24 PM »

being that he trains at my gym and I have trained with him and Gus "the bus" Carter, I know he wears gloves every workout, outside of legs of course...but that is neither here nor there... what I was saying was generally speaking there isn't a solid right or wrong. hope that helps...

Cerberus2k7 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 29, 2006, 10:48:19 PM »

I get a lot of burns when working on cars, so i'll usually use a wrap to help protect that area. Sometimes I get weird stares because I have a wrap on one hand, but not the other.