Deadlift grip problem

[Kerpal]

I tried deadlifting today for the first time in a few months (did the Smolov squat cycle) and since I haven't done deadlifts in so long my grip is weak now. After Smolov my 1RM, no-bull****, hamstrings-to-calves squat is around 375 lbs so I figured my deadlift should be higher than that.

However, I can't even pull 365 lbs right now. I get about halfway up and it feels easy but I have to stop because my left hand starts opening and I will drop the weight if I don't set it down. I could do it easily with straps but I don't like using straps.

How do I improve my grip strength?

 

[wolf116]

How do I improve my grip strength?

best results will come from using straps in the deadlift until you build your grip with thick bar training, plate pinches etc.

Using straps will help prime your grip and can be done away with in time, but they are a great tool that should not be neglected.

EDIT: you can make a ghetto thick bar by rapping a towel around the bar or just steel a street sign post.

 

[BlakeW5]

Not sure if posting links to other sites is allowed, but www.ironmind.com has great hand strength equipment. Most of the stuff is pricey, but you can use it to come up with ideas of things you can make (all the stuff is very easy to make yourself). Their grippers are top of the line, so definately look into them.

 

[Kerpal]

What do you mean by saying straps will prime my grip?

I am just worried that if I use straps my grip will never get stronger, but I guess I could just work it separately like you guys are saying. Maybe I'll give it a try, although I always have been against using straps, I guess I've always thought of it as "cheating".

 

[shaunuk]

The thing you've always gotta remember is what the main lift you're doing is for. I remember a post by Iron Addict about wearing a belt. He said that people say..."Oh, but my core won't be getting worked as hard!"...But that's what core work is for...

So what I mean is...OK, so your grip won't be getting trained as good..but that's what grip/forearm work is for Also note, using straps doesn't mean you don't use your grip at all, my forearms are still sore after I deadlift with straps.

Don't let your (temporarily)bad grip hold your pulling back. You must be able to do 400 easy?

 

[Quagmire911]

Kerpal,

Last year I got to 125kgx4 or something on deads and my grip would fail. I used straps for a couple of weeks/a month and haven't had any issues since. I have done a 162.5kgx3 rack dead without a problem.

Warboss is the one that convinced me to wear straps, he said that they would stimulate the forearms. Me being the newbie I took his advice; the results were very good indeed.

I am not sure if the straps will do for you what they did for me, but there is only one way to find out.

Here is another great thread:

http://www.rosstraining.com/articles/trainingthehands.html

Were you doing anything for grip during Smolov?

 

[Kerpal]

I didn't do anything for grip strength during Smolov, which was a mistake.

 

[I-tallionStallion]

probably could be fixed if you just start doing rows and deadlifts, should work out soon. I was stuck around 270ish with grip, but i kept at it with a slightly lower weight and it fixed itself. I don't think you need any individual wrist exercises

you could try chalk

 

[Triple T]

Try alternating grip

One hand facing in, one hand facing out. Helps me when my forearms about to give in.

 

[Fuglydude]

Your 1RM squat is probably 40 lbs or so higher than mine...For deads though, my PB is 200 kg (440 lb) with just chalk for grip at a bodyweight of ~170 lbs (~77 kg).

I bet you can do 400-420 quite easily on deads if you use alternating grip and chalk.

Try using a narrow stance and deadlifting for 1 RMs when you're nice and fresh (translation: not after you've just squatted 375!)

Good luck.

 

[Quagmire911]

"I bet you can do 400-420 quite easily on deads if you use alternating grip and chalk. "

I imagine he is doing those things already.

Your grip strength should come back quickly Kerpal. What is the most you have deadlifted before?

 

[Drum&Bass]

I see all this advice about using straps and using all these special exercises to build up grip strength and I don't get what the big deal is ??

you wanna know the secret to building strong grip, NEVER DROP WEIGHTS TO THE GROUND (especially when deadlifting and benching with dumbbells) !!!

treat iron like its glass and over time you won't be complaining about the size of your forearms or your grip.

Do all of your exercises RAW and respect the way you treat the iron.

p.s. hold off on using alternating grip as much as possible on deadlifts.

p.p.s there's at least 2 other guys in this thread beside myself who deadlift over 400 raw...and NONE of us have advocated the use of straps...something to think about

 

[Quagmire911]

Warboss did 600+ if it is a contest...

 

[Drum&Bass]

There is a WORLD of difference Between 400 and 600 for someone who is struggling in the 300's, so whats your point ???

There are people who deadlift 600 RAW and don't believe in straps.

Who do you think will have better grip development ?? guys who use straps to get where they are or guys who didn't ??

 

[Quagmire911]

*Sigh* You are right as always.

 

[I-tallionStallion]

Yeah i don't think straps are necessary Quag. I've never needed them. But i can see where you are coming from being that you got advice from WBA and that it would not be forever you'd have to use the straps...To each their own, but it doesn't look like kerpal is too into it.

Kerpal just work hard on what you can do now. It will work out

 

[Quagmire911]

Maybe I didn't word my post very clearly.

 

[Kerpal]

I'm just going to start with sets of 5 @ 315 and work my way up - I figure strength should improve quickly once my body "relearns" how to deadlift.

The most I've ever done was 350 x 3 @ 175.

 

[SkillzthatKillz]

Jerk off more. Since I’ve started jerking it regularly my grip strength has increased ten fold. My forearms are huge, and are so intimidating that I don’t need to take MA anymore cause people don’t want to mess with these bad boys.

Tip of the day: Make sure you jerk with both hands that way it evens them out.

 

[Kerpal]

Jerk off more. Since I’ve started jerking it regularly my grip strength has increased ten fold. My forearms are huge, and are so intimidating that I don’t need to take MA anymore cause people don’t want to mess with these bad boys.

Tip of the day: Make sure you jerk with both hands that way it evens them out.

Unfortunately, I don't have an enormous penis like you so I don't think that will help.