Tools of the Trade - Need Suggestions

[DanielleA]

Hi All - here's my problem:

I'm a petite girl, but I've grown strong enough that I have to use dumbbells that weigh 50lbs or more. Problem is, my arms and wrists are TOO WEAK to support this much weight, especially when doing deadlifts and such. I use regular straps, but the weights still keep slipping out of my hands. Very frustrating!!

Dvsness suggested using something called Versa (sp?) grips. Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what I could do to help me hang onto these heavy weights? Or any other training tricks that I should be aware of?

Thanks! :D

[Shelly]

hmm i face this problem often too. I just work thru it most of the time. Yeah my wrists feel like they are going to break most of the time...but i have not found anything else.

My wraps are pretty long so I can wrap it around a few times which also helps.

[LadyZ]

Dvsness is right about the versa grips... I tried them out this year at the Arnold and they work... I'm going to get them when i start bulking again... I also small wrists and sometimes it's frustrating when want to go heavier and you cant' because of your wrists.

[SBT]

My roommate has a pair of Versa grips too and I LOVE them especially for deadlifts!!

[dvsness]

I DL 225 for reps and my grip strength is for shit. If you use your wraps properly, there should be no issue other than some discomfort. But yes, I love my Versa Grips. I got them from Jenny Lynn's site:

http://www.jennylynnfitness.com/index2.html

[SBT]

I agree with Vanessa!!!

Without the straps I can't go above 185 lbs and even then my grip slips, but with them I can do reps around 245 lbs.

[Betsy]

AH i feel like my wrists are gonna break off ALL THE time.. I might have to look into those wraps as well...us little girls all have the same problem.. :mad:

[JLB001]

I use versa grips on back days. On the days for chest, shoulders and some arm exercises I use a pair of gloves called "Pro-Aim" Here's the link to their site Pro-Aim (http://www.pro-aim.com/Pro-Aim.com/Main.html)

These gloves are designed for people that hand gun users. There is a removable brace inside the glove along the wrist that actually keeps your wrist from giving out.

My friend designed the gloves and sells them, so he sent me a pair to try for my lifting. I LOVE LOVE these gloves. Mine are in an XS with just the index finger out, but I am wanting to get another pair with half fingers.

They are a tad pricey at $49 but well worth every penny.

[DanielleA]

Thanks! Jodie, those gloves look great. Question for you - it says there is a gel pad in the palm. It's not too thick for a good grip around a barbell, is it? Can you still feel the bar through the pad?

[JLB001]

Thanks! Jodie, those gloves look great. Question for you - it says there is a gel pad in the palm. It's not too thick for a good grip around a barbell, is it? Can you still feel the bar through the pad?

They have about the same amount as my Ocelot which is just a padding and not a gel.

I keep telling my friend he needs to make me a rep for those gloves, that I would sell the crap out of them. lol

[Delphene Balan]

I love my Hookers....yup that is what they are called believe it or not. I got them from bodybuilding.com. AMAZING and my lifts have never been better. I have had a mild case of carpal tunnel forever and got really bad in 2005 when pregnant with Nadia. so bad I couldnt hold her when she was born...had to wear splint-type gloves....anywhooo, they are more sore than weak when I do heavy lifts...

Hookers are GREAT for pullups and chins as well as deadlifts, one arm dumbell rows...I lift soooo much heavier with them.

[DanielleA]

I will check those out as well. Thanks girls!

[Delphene Balan]

I love these things, and I found a picture of them!

[Shelly]

I love these things, and I found a picture of them!

and they help a lot???

they look cool :cool:

[Delphene Balan]

and they help a lot???

they look cool :cool:

Depending if you need to lift heavy and have weakness/pain in your hands and arms. Most Women don't have the forearm strength needed to do heavy deadlifts and pullups. These increase my lifts by 35lbs!

[Erik]

Hi All - here's my problem:

I'm a petite girl, but I've grown strong enough that I have to use dumbbells that weigh 50lbs or more. Problem is, my arms and wrists are TOO WEAK to support this much weight, especially when doing deadlifts and such. I use regular straps, but the weights still keep slipping out of my hands. Very frustrating!!

Dvsness suggested using something called Versa (sp?) grips. Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what I could do to help me hang onto these heavy weights? Or any other training tricks that I should be aware of?

Thanks! :D

Are you sure you're wrapping properly? I find that sometimes people tend to wrap their straps the wrong way and they then don't do much to reinforce grip. If that's the case, wrapping wrong will definitely have a negative impact. I think when straps are wrapped properly, there should be no issues with grip being the weak link in your lift.

[DanielleA]

That could be possible. I have the strap hanging down between my thumb and pointer finger. I wrap over the bar, then come up and wrap again criss-crossing the first direction I wrapped in. Is that right? Am I even making sense? lol

[Betsy]

That could be possible. I have the strap hanging down between my thumb and pointer finger. I wrap over the bar, then come up and wrap again criss-crossing the first direction I wrapped in. Is that right? Am I even making sense? lol

Are you using WRIST straps that form a loop that you put your wrist into? If so then the strap should be against the palm of your hand coming out between your pointer and thumb.. and when you go to wrap around the bar it should go under the bar and come back up over the top.. so teh more that you twist the wrap around the bar the tighteer it gets.. I dont ever re wrap my wrist.. does this makes sense?:confused:

[DanielleA]

Yep and that's what I do. IDK maybe I just need to make them tighter.