Do You Have To Use Weight Lifting Straps?

[buccola13research]

Stop your nonsense. Forearms do help with biceps. I want my forearms to match my biceps, not my lower back. Straps take my forearms out BECAUSE I'M DOING BACK. Someone who ever used straps for curls and dumbbell press's shouldn't give advice. You clearly were and maybe still are the gym clown.

[Drengen10]

How about: Lifting heavier weights? ...

[nafism6969]

get to the point.

[Alpinenewt]

Hi Jimmy, I use straps on deadlifts only, and even then I only use them after my grip gives out. I think this gives me the best of both worlds.

[ImCoreyDammit]

I just recently started to get into weightlifting. before i did mostly calesthenics. With deadlifts my back was way stronger then my forearms could support. Thus the straps. Sure once my forearms get stronger then i'll stop using them. 

[Kunggi1]

Forearms are like calves, they recover very quickly. I train them both 3 times per week. Forearms I train with barcurls. For training back I always use straps so you get real failure on your back instead arms. This means I keep my hands bent instead stetch them out in negative part so I don't failure on biceps. This is all about getting maxium advantage. I train forearms and biceps seperately.

[cbomcnasty]

what ever you think for now on do the opposite and you will be more intelligent

[hornybrownguy]

these straps guys need to do more overhand deadlifts, reverse curls, hammer curls, farmers walk, kroc rows, hang cleans. actually hang cleans are incredible in building forearm strength/size becuz eccentric movement downwards puts a lot of pressure on the hands so that you continue to hold on tight of the barbell once the bar reaches little above the knees.

[hornybrownguy]

Im a anti-strap guy but I think the main reason why guys wear them all the time is because its like a gym fashion accessory no different to watches, rings, murses, or a tattoos that ppl like to show off as a status or fashion statement.

[iTzZJaSoNxX]

I use wrist straps because I have weaker wrists and forearms. So for most workouts i will use them and workout my other muscles to a full potential. But i don't ignore them because I do add wrist and forearm workouts into my routine :)

[DirtyDeeds0513]

DRAMA QUEEN FUCk! STOP LIFTING AND GO MAKE FLOWER BASKETs

[guitars1776]

ur first point and second were exactly the same. i use straps for grip on heavy lifts. if you do seperate forearm excercises then it doesnt matter if you use straps or not so i dont know why youre making such a big deal about this. i dont know why your paying so much attention to what other people are doing in the gym. pay attention to yourself and quit criticizing what everyone else is doing. its not your business

[CANN1BALDAVE]

i never use straps never needed to, i never use any support braces or straps i just use proper form and technique and know my body and its limits, after u get your form right everything else catches up, grip is so under appreciated, i use the ropes for my front pull downs sometimes just to get my grip strength up, everyone is different, its only my opinion

[sebbbi91]

i don't use straps because:

- they pull on my wrists

- i don't need them

- huge forearms are cool

[anathamon]

i don't usually use straps, but they can be helpful if you want to keep training (deadlifting) after your grip fails. especially if you go to a gym that doesn't allow chalk.

Using straps as you mentioned at the beginning of the video (for everything) is pretty stupid.

[tom88cba]

i only use straps on pulls and deadlifts n thats it cause i like using a double overhand grip which eventually fails me before my posterier chain does, and hook grip hurts like a bitch and mixed grip puts uneven pressure on the erectors, so i use straps when the bar starts slipping usually around 350-400lbs pulls

[SilentWalk18]

I use lifting straps for pullups and deadlift the reason is that my forearms get trained in mostly all other upperbody workouts and therefore I can afford to put less pressure on them when I am trying to train a different muscle group.

[RAZOR12334]

Why you talk so much trash..Just come to the point..



[Eitzo]

you use straps and belts to be able to safely move heavy working sets. it's ignorant and plain stupid to limit the growth of your back to the fatigue of your -WRISTS- and the belt is for safety with regards to lower back movement. even with proper form and a locked back, a belt helps. If you are moving 600lbs you are going to have better abs than some cunts that move 200lbs without a belt... look at yourself in the mirror before you pretend to talk with authority.

[onlyJAMESchamp]

In my opinion...

From what i understand of the body, it's best to 'beat up' the muscle as much as you can, so as the tiny tears and the actin/myosin bonds can come back together with a larger surface area (sort of basics but not completely accurate). when you start in maybe your first set, it may be okay to stop before that last 'impossible' rep, however getting into the third set, sometimes your forearms can fail far too early, not fatiguing your target muscle enough to get these tears...

[GmanDntHurtem]

real men play with chalk

[baldabahia]

ahh, tomar no cú!

[EricChicago101]

I use them on anything heavy.. my palms sweat, and my center of concentration jumps off getting a good set in to ah fuck ny hands are slipping, therefore messing up my workout so only on necessary weight.. lol I'm 20 and laughed when u said wen I was 20 I bought straps lol

[Deralickkk92]

I agree with you. My forearms are lacking and I definitely don't want to take away from them. I got some straps from my friend but I am not to sure on to if I should use them. Anyways, you have any good forearm exercises I could do? Thanks

[maxis986]

i use straps to get stronger !!! your forearms will always give out before your your back !!!

[calumbryson]

I've just bought a set, used them today.. did a drop set of shrugs. I was starting at 100kg before, then going down to 80, then 60 without straps. I found that my fore arm strength did go before my traps and shoulders on the heavy set, of 100kg.

today i was able to shrug for the same amount of reps, 120kg, 100, 80, and i then dropped it to 60. now i only used my straps for the set at 120, but i felt a better burn in my shoulders and also felt like i add achieved a better work out on my traps

[aztecboxer69]

good stuff bro.. i have to use traps wene i shoulder roll and curl over 80 god blessed me with the smallest fingers and i cant complety grip the bar i can only do one or 2 reps before my fingers start slippen and with straps its like whole new set of hands lol .. good stuff keep it up

[Fashoooow]

thought this said jimmy struthers

[CelticAndProud]

I agree with the general gist of your vid, ie if you've got a lagging body part, you should concentrate on it and make sure it gets strengthened, not just try to compensate for it.

That said, I got myself some straps today since my grip for deadlifts is an issue. 1st off, I lift in my garage which is sloping, so something to try and hold it in place is a must, and 2ndly, I've got really small hands, so grip is even more of an issue for me.

I've added grip work in, but for now will be strapping

[secutorclaudius]

@CelticAndProud hey, bro, was that you in that burger king commercial? : )

[CelticAndProud]

@secutorclaudius "I've got these tiny hands!!"  =[

[secutorclaudius]

hi jimmy. agree, some people OVERUSE straps. curls, wtf? u don't even need grip strength for those! i used to have some but i lost em, and never got new ones. i think my grip is pretty good, but when i go heavier on rows, deadlifts, my grip gives out before my back. never on pulldowns, hmm. and if some of these dudes do all their lifts right, they wouldn't need any extra grip work. i may get some just for overload work, only use them when my grip totally gives out.

[Athrun000]

Straps for pull-ups is awesome

[pam0077]

With straps, I can deadlift 365x5. Without straps, my grip can only handle 365x2.

Plus, I develop calluses like nobody's business without straps w/heavy pulls.

Just last week, I ripped a finger open on a 415# rack pull to see what I could do without straps... that sucked cuz blood got everywhere and I ended up quiting my training day early... it's how I ended up here in a search.

My advise is to use straps only on your heaviest pulls.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@pam0077 Great comment. That is the point that I was trying to get across in the video but some people missed the point.

[YoungFitnessAddict]

I use straps for lifts like bent over rows, hang shrugs or things like deadlifts. I use them because it helps me better train those areas I want to like my lats or traps or hamstrings. Wokring out my forearms come into play with alot of other things like curls or pullups. something I like for the foreamrs are farmers carry. So basically I limit my use for straps only when it will help my ability to train the muscles i want to and that other excersizes increase foreamr strength.

[rycebouy]

I use straps for shrugs. My forearms die with the weight. I am fine with every other exercise though.

[tricepSPECIALIST]

USE STRAPS PEOPLE!!!! STRAPS WILL MEAN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT EXTRA REP OR TWO.

NOT USING STRAPS WILL INCREASE YOUR GRIP STREGNTH BUT DECREASE YOUR ABILITY TO LIFT THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF WEIGTH WITH LARGEST AMOUNT OF REPS.

WHATS MORE IMPORTANT, BEING ABLE TO LIFT MORE OR HAVING THE ABILITY TO OPEN A JAR OF JALEPENOS? ITS YOUR CHOICE!!!

ANY WAY THERE ARE MANY OTHER WAYS TO INCRESE YOUR GRIP STREGNTH THAT HAVE PROVED VERY AFFECTIVE TO ME AND MANY OTHERSD.

[customphoenixwings]

@tricepSPECIALIST lmaooo dude your sooo right and i think this guy is a ugly dumbass and haha on the jalepenoss thing

[tricepSPECIALIST]

get a pair of grippers, these work great if you use them 20min or more per day while you are watching tv or chillin out. another great method is to pinch the edge of a cast iron weight plate at the edge and hold for up to around 45 seconds (if you can hold longer than 45 seconds then you should add more weight to the point were your wrists/fingers are killing around the 35-40 second mark).

DOINING MOST PULLING TYPE OF EXERCISES FOR YOUR BACK WITHOUT LIFTING STRAPS WILL GIVE YOU BETTER GRIP BUT!

[Draykid]

It's a great theory for everyone? Really?

[jimmysmithtraining]

@Draykid Explain to me why it's not? Here's the FACTS. Straps make up for a weaker grip and forearm strength because they allow you to grip a heavier weight. That's a fact that you can't argue with. It's anatomy. Want to train your traps better. Get stronger forearms so you can use heavier weight.

[Draykid]

@jimmysmithtraining

I was referring to the grammar blunder early on in reference to the Cenation shirt. I agree with your position, but the grammar caught me off guard there.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@Draykid Ahh I got it thanks.

[superrubiksman]

@jimmysmithtraining I wear straps cause i can only do 3 of my regular 15 without them on deadlifts

[ManagFTW66]

justin bieber says never give up...ugh scary shitb ....it looks cool...use it when my hands are tired..

[flukebullet1987]

i use straps when my grip fails, only been using them a couple of weeks and they help. it also makes me aware that my grip is lagging as i didnt need them before. can anyone offer advice on improving grip strength?

[tricepSPECIALIST]

@flukebullet1987 CONTINUED FROM PREVIUS: IT IS ALL ABOUT BEING ABLE TO LIFT THE MOST AMOUNT OF WEIGHT POSSIBLE THAT YOU CAN DO, SO LIFTING STRAPS ARE MANDOTORY IF YOU WANT TO ACHEIVE THIS.

USE LIFTING STRAPS FOR PULLING WEIGHT TRAINING (deadlifts, pullups, shrugs ect):!!!!!!

USE OTHER GRIP EXERCISES FOR YUOR GRIP INSTEAD OF DECRESING YOUR POTENTIAL FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH:!!!!

[7HARR1NGTON7]

i weight 150 just started workin out bout 6 months ago, and im shrugging about sets of 275 but i always have to set the bar down real quick to re grip because the bar slips out of my hand, so im ordering some straps and thats why i want to use them. ill tell you how it does

[msga16]

straps give me extra more reps for me doing heavyweight deadlift. and what i noticed as i was doing my biceps curl was that, i used to feel burnin on my forearms and nowadays i don't feel it ever since i stop using straps for biceps curl. i believe that was because my forearm got stronger. so my point is unless u do really really heavy weight for deadlift or pulldown or row exercise, avoid using straps for ur grip strength.

[msga16]

Well i use strap for my backday and i don't use it for my biceps workout, i kinda know how important strong grip is, so when backday, i do deadlift as my first exercise and i tried not to use it for first couple sets and as the weight goes up to over 225, i can't really focus on my back without straps so i use strap for heavy weight deadlift

[samuils]

Well I wear them for now, because my grip is too weak, I do wear them during deadlift only though. And As I said for now, I am trying to catch up with my forearms as well. But for now....

[stkdillenger819]

I use weight straps for the simple fact that without it, your pulling movements suffer and wont get the maximum potential for a workout. That is it nothing else. As you already know, yourforeams as secondary muscles will give it before your back muscles during exercise, so that's where straps come into play and maximize your workouts for pulling motions. the end.

[7mikepd]

i use straps for any workouts that involve lifting large amounts of weight and your hands are required to hold all the weight. it just makes since that if you are doing a workout, like clean, that involves you lifting the maximum amount of weight that you can using your legs, back, shoulders, biceps and forearms,and all that weight is supposed to be supported only by your grip? i don't htink so. it is not a matter of being able to do 2 more reps, it is a matter of being able to lift 40 more lbs.

[SERGRUELAS]

Use them to assist you maximize your workouts, but only after your grip totally gives out. So my first two sets not used, set three and four yes.

[cmchinky]

Tbh, i've been working out for like 2 years now maybe? on and off, and when i saw this video, i was asking myself the same questions like why do people wear straps, so i actually bought some straps today, just to try them out as they weren't very expensive, as on my lat pull down, with the heavier weight the grip is the main problem for me, so gonna see how the straps help me on there..!

[alexj5887]

incline rows, deadlifts and pulldowns I need them for.

[GTASouthPark]

The bar really messes my hands up. I have serious calluses and deep bruises on my palms right now. I'm looking to get some versa grips.

I agree with the forearms, but that's what separate forearm exercises are for. I really need something though, my hands are taking a beating and I feel like I can lift a lot more on shrugs or deadlifts but it just hurts my hands too much.

[djaziatic]

All you need is chalk. If your grip gives out on deadlifts...then do kroc rows.

[misztal2112]

I use lifting straps for deadlifts only, not power cleans or any other exercise, the reason is that I can lift more with the straps than without. Is it possible for my forearm muscles to become as strong as my legs and lower back? I am a huge advocate of compound exercises which makes me want to go without straps however I feel I am limited. Also I do forearms separately so they're not left out. Any thoughts or recommendations would be great. awesome blog by the way, I immediately subbed.

[badg3rby]

I do paralympic powerlifting, as i'm an amputee. In para- lifting we only do bench press in competition. My approach to training is, even tho my chest is my bread and butter, the stronger my WHOLE body is, the more i can bench. I use straps on shrugs, pulldowns and some rows. My back is alot stronger than my forearms. I can lift heavier with straps. While i don't neglect my forearms (i need them strong too), i cant afford to wait for them to catch up to my back strength (if they ever can.)

[rajr110]

weather of not you should use straps depends on who you are..

[rajr110]

i disagree the larger muscles can lift a lot more than your forearms can even if thier in size with all of them i personally hardly use them but they are a must if your going really heavy if im doing reallly heavy shrugs the bar would literaly slip out of my hand if i didnt use straps... but i agree your forearms should be strong i see people use them for pull upps and stuff i would only use them if im lifting something thats welllll over my body weight...

[rajr110]

i disagree the larger muscles can lift a lot more than your forearms can even if thier in size with all of them i personally hardly use them but they are a must if your going really heavy

[jloch85]

i thought i needed straps for deadlifts too, but when i wrapped them around the bar it was too goddamn thick to get a good grip on it.

the problem i have is getting sweaty hands towards those last few reps. i think chalk is probably gonna be the way to go.

[steveshort4steven]

I just bought a pair of straps primarily for my back work out and only when it gets too heavy. My hands are pretty callous from lat pull downs so yeah.

[Madmaximillion57]

I only use straps for back workouts to get better grip when I sweat. Other then that I never use it.

[celtlen]

I wear straps on some exercises because i've broken both my wrists before. Without straps, i'm limited to a number of reps that is way below muscle fatigue. Just found your vids. Good stuff :D

[jimmysmithtraining]

@celtlen Yea if you have a history of injury they can be helpful. You subscribe to my channel?

[celtlen]

@jimmysmithtraining I have now. Keep up the great work!

[jablooglius]

Hey,

I've tried straps for shrugs mostly when I started working out around 16/17 for a couple months like you, then I stopped. Now I'm 23, and the other week my friend lent me his for a few sets of lat pulldowns. What I liked about them now that I'm older and use them a little differently is that they let me really pull down with my elbows instead of my biceps. They somewhat held the bar for me. Say what you want but personally, I do lat pull down for lats so... I like straps.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@jablooglius Whatever works buddy. Most people I talk to few their biceps more with straps but if it works for you it works. You sub to my channel?

[LexPhilogus]

@jimmysmithtraining I'm going to start using straps for my heavy set of 5 on my DL. I know the back strength is there for a complete touch and go set. It's frustrating having to reset on the fourth and fifth rep when you know that all that's holding you back, is grip strength. I'm doing 4x5, progressively loading weight in each consecutive set. I will still be getting a solid forearm workout with the first three sets. Using straps for anything other than DLs is retarded imo.

[sleazebee]

straps don't even help me that much on my deadlift...my grip still gives out. i have to use a mixed grip to pull any decent weight. a mixed grip seems to work my forearms pretty good still.

[kc5ohg357]

I dont use straps . i do use hand grips which is like straps. But the main reason i use them is it allows me to lift more weight. I only use them on deadlifts and pulldowns

[jimmysmithtraining]

@kc5ohg357 EXACTLY

[shotokankaratedude89]

what do you think about straps for clean/snatch pulls|?

[shotokankaratedude89]

what do you think about straps on clean pulls

[thekingandrew1]

I have never liked straps. I have yet to put myself in this scenario but If something happens and my form goes south real fast I want to be able to drop the weight fast and do all I can to avoid injury. That is the main reason I do not use straps.

[MikeTNelson]

I think most people should drop all use of straps and focus on their grip strength- more plate curls, pinch grip work, lever work. Guys I know how concentrated on grip work have added 1-1.5 inches on their forearms in 4-6 weeks.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@MikeTNelson EXACTLY. Forearm work is the KEY for forearm and biceps growth. Pinch grip work is awesome

[Austrianking23]

I use weight lifting straps when doing back exercises like deadlifts, rows and so on. But i use them because of my genes my forearms (And my calves) Grow really fast and one day my forearms were bigger than my upper arms so i decided to use straps to take the forearms out of the movements and let the upper arms reach up. But i wouldn´t recommend it to normal persons, because the grip is getteing Fucking weak after just two months ore so.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@Austrianking23 If your forearms really grew that big then I can see why you wouldn't use the straps but that usually isn't the case.

[gibbyboy66]

i use straps for back exercises, and straight leg deadlifts. i use them for back because i dont wrap my thumbs around the bar when i do my pullups, or my bent rows or any other back exercise, so in order for me to hold on to the bar i use straps. it isnt about my forearms giving out, just keeping my hand on the bar. i have really small hands so this helps tremendously. when i dont wrap my thumbs i really feel my lats being worked. when i wrap them i dont feel it.

[gibbyboy66]

@gibbyboy66 i also have good forearm development, while still using straps. for straight leg deadlifts i just want to make sure my biceps femoris is getting worked to its maximum potential because i feel it is the best compound for leg biceps. after seeing this im not going to deadlift with straps though. even though my hands are tiny. or i might just alternate days. straps one week on deads, then without the next.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@gibbyboy66 Go without straps for a few weeks, you'll love how much stronger your arms get and more developed. Subscribe too!

[gibbyboy66]

@jimmysmithtraining when i do lat exercises i focus on hitting my lats, and the only way for me to do that is a thumbless grip, preferably with straps . but i will try it if my arms start lagging, hell i might try it in a couple of days to see. . and dont worry, ive been subscribed for awhile now. thanks a lot for all of the great videos!

[jimmysmithtraining]

@gibbyboy66 It's interesting because I used to use them for lat pulldowns as well. Try pulling with your middle finger and 4th finger. You'll feel your lats a LOT more.

[gibbyboy66]

@jimmysmithtraining thanks a lot jimmy i really appreciate the help, im gonna start doing that. i did deadlifts for the first time in 6+ months and got double bodyweight 5 reps with no straps. time for huge forearms/back

[jimmysmithtraining]

@gibbyboy66 Go get it!

[MCaanuck12]

random question, but is it better to try to curl something heavier and only being able to do 10 reps and once set or going lighter and less challenging, for example 30 lbs and pushing it hard and doing not that many reps and sets, or going with 25 lbs and its a lot easier but i am doing the correct form but it doesnt feel like much is being done? sorry if the answer is obvious i just want to get professional advice thanks.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@MCaanuck12 1) Subscribe to my channel ;) 2) It's always better to lift heavier. Just progress each workout

[MCaanuck12]

@jimmysmithtraining 1) ive been subscribed for along time, i recomend your channel to my friends coz its helping me so much 2) following your ab program has helped me tremendously and thanks :)

[jimmysmithtraining]

@MCaanuck12 awesome to hear that! Thank you for watching and supporting

[hurbe]

i do it with pullups sometimes cuz my grip sucks

[ASTROALCHER]

Captain of Crush , that will help together with fat-grips. .And when do you use the Belt and knee sleeves ?

[jimmysmithtraining]

@ASTROALCHER I like fat-grips, very helpful to increase biceps and forearm size. Belt and knee sleeves. I saw this dude in the gym using a back belt on a side lateral machine? WTF? Only when you're pulling or squatting big weight

[ASTROALCHER]

@jimmysmithtraining Ha ha . Did you ever used a log-bar, ? Will it make a difference than using plain old dum-Bells ? I am training with a single dum-bell clean and press , eventually training to do a one arm-hand stand. Long way to go yet.

[coorslight2009]

I dont use straps. I believed that if you need straps the weight is to heavy. I want a strong grip when I am lifting. When doing a stiff leg dead lift, yeah my forearms are burning, but its part of the natural movement. I want to hit as many muscle fibers when doing a compound movement and my forearms are one of thsoe. Now if I was part of a powerlifting, then maybe I would want to use straps since its about moving a lot more weight, but since Im not one, stick to keeping things simple. 

[jimmysmithtraining]

@coorslight2009 Couldn't agree with you more. Have you subscribed to my vids?

[coorslight2009]

@jimmysmithtraining I am subscribed to your videos.

[cdwfitnessyt]

@coorslight2009 i also agree with you and jimmy here 110% the thing is i would suggest NOT using straps. 'cause me personally?? think it's a bad thing. lemme explain why. if your using strips your neglecting your forearms as jimmy put it and your muscles in your hands to not grip as hard as it would've holding the weight naturally. your forearms and hands"aka grip" (in my personal experience) get stronger as you progress with weights to handle the world load the same as your other muscles do.

[jimmysmithtraining]

@cdwfitnessyt Exactly dude, there should be NO weak links in the chain! Thanks for watching. Have you subscribed?

[cdwfitnessyt]

@jimmysmithtraining of course i have :P I post on your facebook page aswell occasionally.