wrist straps for pull ups

[Steve Linden]

Hey there, new to the forum. Can anyone shed some light if wrist straps are ok for pullups and what is cross fits opinion. I use them for dead hang pullups. It helps with grip strength. I use them also occassionally for heavy dead lifts. I can do pull ups without them but it helps me knock out a few more reps. My grip strength is fine and my forearms are decently developed. Just looking for some opinions.

Also are they legal in the crossfit open? crossfit Games?

thanks for reading

[Richard A. Lopez]

you mean the straps that you wrap around the bar? in my opinion, I wouldnt use them at all. I used to use them and even sense I stopped I've gotten stronger at a whole new level. I dont mean in crossfit I mean with weight training. I used them in the past for deadlifts, but I stopped and my grip has improved so much, I cant see ever using them again. Maybe if you couldnt break a plateu or something for awhile but I thing its best you just leave them in your bag awhile and use chalk instead.

[Jason Peacock]

If your grip strength is fine, but you get more reps by using straps, then it sounds like cheating to me

No, I wouldn't use straps for DL nor pullups or other movements. Building grip strength is part of getting stronger, it goes with the package.

And I don't believe straps are allowed in the Opens or Games (never seen them used).

[Steve Linden]

yes the straps that you wrap around the bar and go around your wrist. My gym doesnt allow chalk. Im 5'8 200lbs and i want to get over the 10 DH pullup mark. Its tough.

[Donald Lee]

Originally Posted by Steve Linden

yes the straps that you wrap around the bar and go around your wrist. My gym doesnt allow chalk. Im 5'8 200lbs and i want to get over the 10 DH pullup mark. Its tough.

Try liquid chalk. It doesn't get all over the place like the powder does.

[Steve Linden]

Liquid chalk? Never heard of it. Is that a home depot item or a real weightlifting tool?

[Donald Lee]

Originally Posted by Steve Linden

Liquid chalk? Never heard of it. Is that a home depot item or a real weightlifting tool?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ds=liquid+grip (WFS)

That's not the one I use, but I like liquid chalk better than actual chalk. It stays on much better, so you only have to apply a thin film once or twice, instead of rechalking between every set.

[Jason Peacock]

If it really is only your grip strength that's holding you back from getting the 10 dh pullups, then focus on grip work.

* Hang from the pullup bar, working up to 60s holds.
* Do farmer's walks.
* Deadlift w/o straps and with clean grip (no alternating grip)
* Do more deadhang pullups

Your grip will get stronger, and that will help everything. Don't cheat your grip just to achieve a different goal that's only available with accessories.

[Eric Shuty]

Ditto what everyone else said. Straps can come in handy for fun things like Kroc rows or something like that...but the pull up is a body weight exercise so I would think one would like to do it accessory free. You don't use anything to do a push up, sit up, plank, air squat , etc right? So why would this body weight exercise be different?

[Richard A. Lopez]

Or use one of those bason balls.. my gym doesn't allow chalk either... just don't let them see you lol. Better grip will definitely help with all those pulls /lifts... fat grips or using a fat bar for lighter weight really help with grip.. sense I've stopped using straps 2 months ago.. my raw deadlift is where it was with straps... so I'm happy ... just squeeze and pull!!