Lifting gloves, wrist straps, pads...?

[Funky_Monk]

Hello, starting to get to some heavier weights at the gym now.
What are your preferences re hand protection/ grip, gloves, straps or those odd pad type things....?

I dont really see how you get your second hand on with wrist straps, can anyone enlighten me??

Also any other bits of kit or tips generally for a weight lifting...
Like I wrap a towel round the bar when doing suqats as I am pretty skinny and it stops it rubbing my spine/ back sore. Girly I know.

Thanks

[frosty-g]

Hello, starting to get to some heavier weights at the gym now.
What are your preferences re hand protection/ grip, gloves, straps or those odd pad type things....?

I dont really see how you get your second hand on with wrist straps, can anyone enlighten me??

Also any other bits of kit or tips generally for a weight lifting...
Like I wrap a towel round the bar when doing suqats as I am pretty skinny and it stops it rubbing my spine/ back sore. Girly I know.

Thanks

glad you acknowledge that fact. what you said applies to the whole of your post too unfortunately.

[Funky_Monk]

glad you acknowledge that fact. what you said applies to the whole of your post too unfortunately.

Thats a very productive response. Thank you

[frosty-g]

Thats a very productive response. Thank you

it might not appear to be, but trust me it was a great hint as to the right answer.

i'll be a bit more descriptive now.

ok, hand protection- protection from what exactly? i'm assuming you mean some kind of gloves here but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt and imagine you don't. in that case athletic tape can be used strategically on the hand where necessary to avoid ripping skin off IF there is any chance of that actually happening.

grip- use a bit of chalk dust, otherwise improve your grip strength by, wait for it, gripping hard and lifting the weights. unless you're lifting real big your grip strength will magically keep up with any increase in weight lifted.

wrist straps- same answer as for grip really.

bit of a cruel to be kind approach maybe but i am doing you a favour, honestly.

[Funky_Monk]

Now that I've called you moronic on another thread we are even on the name calling ;o)

Yeah thats my concern, I work in an office so my hands aren't exactly worn. The calluses where my fingers meet my palm are pretty bad, especially when I do my deadlifts, to the extent I felt like the were close to splitting....so will tape be enough?

As for the towel, again same thing with out it on heavy squats my back would chafe to the point it'd graze. I mentioned this because I wondered if it its simply physiology or technique...?

[frosty-g]

Now that I've called you moronic on another thread we are even on the name calling ;o)

Yeah thats my concern, I work in an office so my hands aren't exactly worn. The calluses where my fingers meet my palm are pretty bad, especially when I do my deadlifts, to the extent I felt like the were close to splitting....so will tape be enough?

As for the towel, again same thing with out it on heavy squats my back would chafe to the point it'd graze. I mentioned this because I wondered if it its simply physiology or technique...?

no worries! call it even!

well, it depends on what you're happy to accept to some degree. if you don't mind the skin toughening up a bit (i don't mean all calloused and horrid, just not silky smooth) then yeah you should be ok. a little bit of neat alcohol, turps or whatever is a pretty good thing to rub in to make the skin a bit more durable in the meantime and they should hold up fine.
check this video too:

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_managing_calluses

i haven't personally had an issue with the bar grazing my back, it might leave a red mark for a few hours but it doesn't remain. i guess you're having it "high bar"? that's more likely to dig into your spine and cause the discomfort. there's good arguments that "low bar" is better and it would no doubt resolve your issue also.

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_the_squat_bar_position

not try to push the "starting strength" way of thinking on to you but i reckon it addresses your concerns very well.

[Funky_Monk]

no worries! call it even!

well, it depends on what you're happy to accept to some degree. if you don't mind the skin toughening up a bit (i don't mean all calloused and horrid, just not silky smooth) then yeah you should be ok. a little bit of neat alcohol, turps or whatever is a pretty good thing to rub in to make the skin a bit more durable in the meantime and they should hold up fine.
check this video too:

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_managing_calluses

i haven't personally had an issue with the bar grazing my back, it might leave a red mark for a few hours but it doesn't remain. i guess you're having it "high bar"? that's more likely to dig into your spine and cause the discomfort. there's good arguments that "low bar" is better and it would no doubt resolve your issue also.

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_the_squat_bar_position

not try to push the "starting strength" way of thinking on to you but i reckon it addresses your concerns very well.

Thank you, very helpful.

From the first video, I'd suggest I'm holding the bar more in my palm. I'm not expecting smooth hands but last few weeks I've been concerned they could tear of as they have built up a little.

As for high bar again I'd agree, looking at the video. I'll try the low bar position and see how I find it generally.

I'm always open to a change if it helps with something.

[frosty-g]

Thank you, very helpful.

From the first video, I'd suggest I'm holding the bar more in my palm. I'm not expecting smooth hands but last few weeks I've been concerned they could tear of as they have built up a little.

As for high bar again I'd agree, looking at the video. I'll try the low bar position and see how I find it generally.

I'm always open to a change if it helps with something.

hope they help mate. i think the grip video will definitely help.
if you do the low bar squats then really do pay attention to the video about bar placement because it can really give you evil pains in your biceps or elbows if you have it too low. been there done that.

the technique will change a bit if you change the bar position (squat) so you outta read the book but the main key to itis to make sure the bar remains balanced over the middle of your foot throughout the lift. easier said than done but if you get that right then the rest will pretty much automatically be right or thereabouts.
there's the new edition out of starting strength, i know they do a kindle version for $10 which is ridiculously cheap for what it is. anyway, in there it has a really strong argument as to why the low bar back squat is the best squat for building strength and avoiding injuries.
you might not wanna do the specific programme recommended in the book but as you're doing squats and deadlifts i'd definitely recommend the book as it has the best explanations of the lifts i've seen anywhere. also shows how to do powercleans properly, they're well worth doing.

[Funky_Monk]

Going to the gym tonight so will let you know how I get on, cheers!