Straps v Chalk

MartyMcFly84

I used to use straps when lifting and was making great gains on pull ups etc. However I was told to not use them as if I have too used them; I am not "strong" enough to do the exercises I am doing. I do martial arts and my coach said to put them in the bin.

I since use chalk, and have noticed my grip strength is better but maybe not necessarily overall for the exercises I used the straps for.

What do you guys use? and what are the pro/cons of each?

JJayoo

Only use straps when your grip strength becomes the limiting factor. So if you were doing chinups do as many sets as you can until your grip becomes the issue, then you can use the straps. Don't use them from the beginning of your workout

power pants

chalk for me clive

NoQuarter

I use the blood from my torn calluses

LuckyLloyd

Are you training grip or your muscles? If you're going to have to eventually bring your training into a comp then certainly you need to think about when it's best to use straps:

- if you're a crossfit competitor and you need to bang out 21 pull ups in succession without a break then a 10 rep difference between your max set on straps or max set without is probably an issue;
- if you're an Oly athlete and you have a 15% difference in your snatch depending on having straps or not you probably have an issue;
- if you're a powerlifter and straps are adding 30kgs to your deadlift you probably have an issue;

But if nothing like the above applies and straps / chalk allow you to do more work and achieve more significant results keep using them imo. Your grip strength is incidental imo.

MartyMcFly84

I suppose, grip strength is very important for martial arts. I don't power lift, I do it more so for general strength,injury prevention,physique and over all health.

However its the pro/con of maybe loosing some back strength etc for a stronger grip?

I like the idea of just adding the straps at the very end if its my grip that is giving out.

LuckyLloyd

Is grip strength important in martial arts? If so you have your answer. If not, don't do anything that would cost you general strength.

Alf Veedersane

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

I suppose, grip strength is very important for martial arts. I don't power lift, I do it more so for general strength,injury prevention,physique and over all health.

However its the pro/con of maybe loosing some back strength etc for a stronger grip?

I like the idea of just adding the straps at the very end if its my grip that is giving out.

Don't use straps until you actually have to and work on your grip strength a little more = back strength and grip strength.

Win.