Lifting Straps or Chalk?

[groovy]

Hi, My gym has now stopped providing us with chalk. that sux... apparently as people were mis using it and they were going thru heaps of it.

Anyway, i am currently thinking of getting some chalk or lifting straps for my back workouts (usually on DL over 100kg) because i just cant hold the damn bar...keeps slipping away without the chalk.

I have tried to look at punch and shotgun but doesnt look like they sell the straps.

Where can i get some straps? or do you suggest i should buy chalk?

Cheers.

[IronHyde]

Both, I would roll with chalk and if you can't possibly lift any heavier due to slippage then use straps. You want to develop hand strength and that is the main reason not to use straps. But in the end, it's personal preference

[nate225]

On Deadlifts chalk for sure - use an alternate grip if you're not already?

On assistance exercises (e.g. chins, LPD's , shrugs, rows) try to rely on grip strength, however if blown out forearms are impacting on your back workout put the straps on (don't become reliant on them though - suggest you may need to train your grip).

It doesn't help that most commercial gyms have cheap shitty bars that are nicely chromed to appear pretty making them a nightmare to hold onto on heavy movements. Elieko, Evanko, Texas Powerbars etc for real lifting!

[groovy]

On Deadlifts chalk for sure - use an alternate grip if you're not already?

On assistance exercises (e.g. chins, LPD's , shrugs, rows) try to rely on grip strength, however if blown out forearms are impacting on your back workout put the straps on (don't become reliant on them though - suggest you may need to train your grip).

It doesn't help that most commercial gyms have cheap shitty bars that are nicely chromed to appear pretty making them a nightmare to hold onto on heavy movements. Elieko, Evanko, Texas Powerbars etc for real lifting!

Cheers Nate. I use alternative grip already. I keep trying to use without the chalk but becos of the sweat and all it just keeps slipping. And i only want to use it for DL becos all other exercises are ok.

And its so true regarding the nice chrome bars.

Who really cares about making the equipment pretty anyway, u come to workout not admire the machines. :pfft: :pfft:

Anyway, do you guys know where i could buy some chalk and straps? Anything i need to remember while buying, brand or something.

[nate225]

Chalk from rock climbing places or sometimes Rebel Sports etc. Magnesium Carbonate (not calcium carbonate like kids chalk, although at a push this is okay!).

[rose]

Rebel in Wellington didn't seem to have any chalk when I looked but Fergs Kayaks did. Outdoorsy type shops might too, like Bivouac or something. Do you have a Fergs or equivalent in Auckland?

[groovy]

I called up Rebel to and they didnt have any.

And Rose, no idea about the shops u mean. But will find some Rock climbing sites and see if they have any.

Wonder why none of the bodybuilidng sites sell them? maybe not enuf market. :-s :-s

[Danomyte]

Chalk, try getstrength.com.

For straps, you could try two things

1. Try the hook grip. If used right, you can add 5-10kgs on your DL. Though it's not widely practiced. BigMac has done a 300kg Double over-hand hook grip DL. I use the hook grip for seated row, lat pull downs.

2. Just get a cotton/canvas belt or tie-down stropp (sp). Cut 2 x 20-30cm lengths. There are your straps

Edit: forgot to add; "Hope this helps and my 2 cents". Sheesh how rude of me

[Monarchking]

tyre fitters, eg Tyre Land have shit loads of chalk, If you gota mate who works for a tyre repair company get him/her to fill up a protien container of the sh*t! duno if its any good for lifting but worth a shot

[rose]

Groovy, try these guys, Bivouac Outdoor:

Chalk and Chalk Bags

Store locations

They sell online too. There must be other outdoor type places in Auckland too? Hope this helps.

[groovy]

Thanks Rose, they have a branch in Auckland Sylvia shopping mall, which is close to my work. Cheers.

Also my mum works at the Uni. So i asked her if she could hook me with some board chalk. :pfft: :pfft:

Will try the uni chalk tomm (back day) if it works.

[groovy]

Chalk, try getstrength.com.

For straps, you could try two things

1. Try the hook grip. If used right, you can add 5-10kgs on your DL. Though it's not widely practiced. BigMac has done a 300kg Double over-hand hook grip DL. I use the hook grip for seated row, lat pull downs.

2. Just get a cotton/canvas belt or tie-down stropp (sp). Cut 2 x 20-30cm lengths. There are your straps

Edit: forgot to add; "Hope this helps and my 2 cents". Sheesh how rude of me

Hey Danomyte. Cheers for the hook grip. I gave it a try today when i did my BB shrugs. It was little harder to hold, but i guess i need to practice and get my thumb used to it as well.

[Ordy]

or you can use weight gloves? Im not one for callas's

Unlikely to slip then and you dont compromise strengthening your grip like with straps.

I thought id would be the odd one out at the gym when i started there with gloves,(not that i really care) but seems quite a few people use them.

I got mine from Rebel sport for like $30

[IronHyde]

Go to your local indoor climbing wall, they will have all the chalk you need. And it's cheap! I was lucky enough to win some when i use to climb so have a large stash of it.

[nate225]

or you can use weight gloves? Im not one for callas's

Unlikely to slip then and you dont compromise strengthening your grip like with straps.

I thought id would be the odd one out at the gym when i started there with gloves,(not that i really care) but seems quite a few people use them.

I got mine from Rebel sport for like $30

Gloves are pretty whey bro! Really.

You can't Deadlift with gloves in a PLing comp if you ever decide to give PLing a go. And in everyday life when you go to move some heavy sh*t you can't say "wait there fellas, I'll just go get my pink fluffy gloves" :grin:

Chicks dig calouses anyway (or was that scars?) :pfft:

When in doubt think "what would Chopper say"......... Ordy harden the f*ck up! :grin:

[rose]

Chicks dig calouses anyway... "what would Chopper say"......... Ordy harden the f*ck up!

Zomg! Thanks for the laugh! :pfft: I had to prune my calluses last night 8)

[genetic freek]

or you can use weight gloves? Im not one for callas's

Unlikely to slip then and you dont compromise strengthening your grip like with straps.

I thought id would be the odd one out at the gym when i started there with gloves,(not that i really care) but seems quite a few people use them.

I got mine from Rebel sport for like $30

Gloves are pretty whey bro! Really.

You can't Deadlift with gloves in a PLing comp if you ever decide to give PLing a go. And in everyday life when you go to move some heavy sh*t you can't say "wait there fellas, I'll just go get my pink fluffy gloves" :grin:

Chicks dig calouses anyway (or was that scars?) :pfft:

When in doubt think "what would Chopper say"......... Ordy harden the f*ck up! :grin:

Ronnie coleman uses gloves. They even have his name on them

[Ordy]

lol!

i used to just use bare hands etc. But I kinda got the idea a chick would prefer nicer hands to that sandpaper feeling =p

My work is non manual labour, relies on the brain heh.

[GHOSTN]

ordy harden the f*ck up! lol..

i got shown the hook grip by a mate from the states and it felt fu**ed so i flagged that, im trying to stay without straps on deads but same thing stupid chrome bars at my gym plus need some chalk

[teamfatboy]

Moe's (Wellington, at least) has some (expensive) straps but they are supposed to be good...never tried them, I got my straps from Rebel in Melbourne :grin:

It's a good point about building grip strength - I only use straps for my heaviest sets, when despite opposed grip, my grip fails before back or legs do.

You'll get the callouses anyways...

[groovy]

Hey guys. Just an update on the chalk. I just came back from my back workout. Was great. Used the BOARD CHALK from my mum's uni and it works great. :pfft: :pfft: :pfft: Held the bar well.

So will stick to board chalk for now until i build up more weights on DL's and den go for Straps.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Danomyte]

Hey guys. Just an update on the chalk. I just came back from my back workout. Was great. Used the BOARD CHALK from my mum's uni and it works great. :pfft: :pfft: :pfft: Held the bar well.

So will stick to board chalk for now until i build up more weights on DL's and den go for Straps.

Thanks for all the advice.

Thats great news Groovy. Keep up the good work!!!

[Laver]

$15 for 1Kg Chalk good enough?

[johnnybravo007]

I prefer to use lifting straps for all back movements personally. Im there to train my back not my grip, I strap up tight and use only one finger to stop the strap from slipping. Total back involvement rather than pumped forearms and biceps. See it all the time in my gym. Guys heaving big weight on lat pull downs or pull ups and minimal back development with big arm pump. Depends what you are there to train in my opinion. I train grip on Forearm day.

I bought some Schiek straps (same as Jay cutler) from bodybuilding.com. Cheap and delivered to your door within 3 to 4 days from the U.S. Great comfort, also very strong and robust (had them for 18months and holds my heavy ass weight on pull ups:-) I found that there arent many options for this sort of stuff in NZ unfortunately.

Hope this helps.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sck/pad.html

[nate225]

ATP Straps or the like are worth the extra money. Nickoli managed to snap a pair of straps bought from Rebel sport in the Apolons Axle Deadlift at Sydney's Strongest man this year....... first rep and all! :nod: