Dumbbell straps?

[shari3boys]

Ok this may be a dumb question.
How do you use dumbbell straps? ANyone have a video demo for that.
There are a few workouts I know I could move up in weight but have a hard time keeping my grip that long and I heard using straps helps?

Any suggestions?
I saw straps in the weight room but could not figure out how to use them

[Lisa~]

Post #18 in this thread links to a tutorial on how to wrap your wrist straps. I encourage you to read the others posts too though, because straps should be used only for your highest rep sets. NR4W has fairly low reps for most of our sets, so think about when you'd really need to use straps. Read the comments in that thread to help you make your decision.

Grip Help Please!

[shari3boys]

thanks
i guess im not sure what to do
ex: the static lunges i am using 30lb dumbbells in each hand but find it hard , really hard to keep holding thru all 8 reps ( am in stage 4)

I guess just deal with it?

Shari

[missjane]

Why not do them in the squat rack with a BB?

[Morkai]

I'm struggling with this problem at the moment too. Just hanging onto the things is proving harder than anything else. I was recommended to get some Lynx grips and have a pair winging their way to me. Was hoping they would be here for todays workout but I'm guessing not at this point.

Anyway, I'll come back and let you know how they worked out.

[PerfectMartini]

Originally Posted by shari3boys

thanks
i guess im not sure what to do
ex: the static lunges i am using 30lb dumbbells in each hand but find it hard , really hard to keep holding thru all 8 reps ( am in stage 4)

I guess just deal with it?

Shari

If it is hard but you can hold on to the dumbbells, that doesn't sound like a problem.

If you are actually dropping them you might consider straps but ideally only if you are using chalk and your grip is still failing.

[mel]

Personally, I haven't ever wanted to use straps. I've always thought that the only way to get my grip strength stronger is to keep working it. So, I sometimes have to sit the weights down and re grip, or stay at a certain weight a little longer until my grip catches up, but I prefer it that way.

mel

[beach_plums]

I'm with Mel on this one. When I feel my grip slipping, I set the dumbbells down and regrip.

I'm also working on my grip strenth in general though because I have tendonitis in my left hand/knuckles, so that hand is a lot weaker. I don't remember who, but someone recommended walking around the gym carrying dumbbells to help improve grip strength. I know there's a name for this, but I can't seem to remember that right now either.

[LisaS]

The exercise where you walk around holding dumbbells at your side (or other things) is called "farmer's walks".

[Morkai]

That's why I like the idea of the lynx grips. Your not supporting the weight with anything else, they are neoprene pads that go between your hand and the bar. I guess its a sub for chalk which I don't think we can use in our gym.

Berardi has a good review on them too if you have PN account.

[beach_plums]

Originally Posted by LisaS

The exercise where you walk around holding dumbbells at your side (or other things) is called "farmer's walks".

Thank you! I don't know why I couldn't think of that. It's been driving me crazy.

[Jenny]

I find gloves help quite a bit, although even then there usually comes a point where I am slipping near the end. Like Mel and a few others, I find it's best for your grip to catch up, so to speak, and to re-grip as necessary.

I've tried Lynx grips (foam disks/pads), but didn't like them for pulling motions. They are rather thick and increase the circumference of the bar quite a bit, so I found I couldn't wrap my fingers around the bar as well. They are probably better suited for larger hands for pulling motions.