Comments on: Are Weight Lifting Hooks Better Than Straps?

By: Daniel Emick

Daniel Emick — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:32:07 +0000

Hello fellow resistance fighters! Came upon this site and could’nt help but notice no mention of our Patented combination Wrist Straps/Hooks grip aid. These will certainly deflate the need to dispute over which type of grip aid to buy as our Haulin Hooks give purchasers the only dual function on the Planet! Lifters can instantly choose between traditional Strap-n-Wrap or Instant Hook ups with no interferance from either the Hooks or Straps. Additionally our Haulin Hooks come in multiple models and colors to suit any lifters taste & lifting needs, and come with a 30 day satisfaction and Lifetime Guarantee! You can view some great products comparison arcticles by clicking on same at homepage. Check out Hold-ons.com PS We’d be more than happy to send a pair of your choice for a review just ask! Good lifting!

By: walaoa

walaoa — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:49:07 +0000

i watched your bicep training article(build big bicep with this workout) and i plan to put on some mass fast on my bicep, should i perform this workout twice a week without other programs?

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:50:39 +0000

@gotcha. Don’t take sponsors of this site to be personal recommendations from me, they aren’t. I would imagine there’s probably a lot of things me and Jeff disagree on, one of which is supersetting opposing muscle groups.
Some people refer to supersetting as hitting the same muscle group with say a compound movement followed by an isolation movement (as in pre-exhaust). There may be some value in that when trying to increase intensity/overload placed on a given bodypart.
However, supersetting as you’ve set out here is unwise. Firstly, there’s no reason to ‘take advantage of every second in the gym’ – it’s a bodybuilding workout, not an aerobic one, and there’s no race against time. The fact is that the body needs these rest periods to perform at its best. Working opposing muscle groups with no rest in between would also increase your chances of terminating the second set early due to SYSTEMIC or general fatigue (or you could refer to it as cardiovascular failure) rather than muscular failure.
Catch your breath and allow lactic acid to drain a little before moving onto a new bodypart.
Hope that helps.

By: Keith Davis

Keith Davis — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:06:17 +0000

@gotcha!
I think that there are lots of opinions out there, it’s the same in any sport.
I read Mark’s posts and use the bits that suit me.
What you have to do is use the bits that work for you and the bits you enjoy doing.
These posts give me info, ideas and help keep me motivated…. that can only be good.

By: TomGreenwald

TomGreenwald — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:48:07 +0000

I remember when I was training in MTBing our coach forbid us to use any supportive devices when we where lifting weights, so that we also train our grip. I guess it’s different for bodybuilding.

By: gotcha!

gotcha! — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:14:48 +0000

i read your both your book and jeff anderson’s optimum anabolics(that you advaertised) and found that you are against each other!!
on a comment mark said:
no, the opposite exercise used is not targeting the last muscle but will cause general fatigue so you can go through thershold
HOWEVER on jeff’s book:
Well, in the OPTIMUM ANABOLICS PROGRAM you’ll use SUPERSETS to
maximize EVERY SINGLE MINUTE you spend on the gym floor.
If you’re not familiar with a SUPERSET, it goes something like this…
You’ll do one set of an exercise for a particular bodypart, followed almost
IMMEDIATELY with another exercise, usually of an opposing muscle group.
Because the muscle used for the FIRST exercise is not really putting out a lot of
effort for the SECOND exercise, it’s better able to regenerate in time for the next
set. The first muscle group is in what we call an “ACTIVE RECOVERY PHASE”
during the second exercise.
In effect, you’re able to perform 2 SETS of exercises in a MUCH SHORTER
period of time!
For example, you might choose to do a set of bicep DUMBBELL CURLS,
followed IMMEDIATELY by a set of tricep DUMBBELL KICKBACKS. Your
triceps aren’t being taxed in the curls and your bi’s aren’t taxed in the kickbacks.

Optimum Anabolic Principle #4:
SUPERSET exercises of OPPOSING muscle groups to take advantage of
ACTIVE RECOVERY periods!
tought?

By: Keith Davis

Keith Davis — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:28:16 +0000

Hi Mark
The hooks look good and no messing about with trying to use your left hand to manipulate straps!
Thanks for the heads up.

By: Planet

Planet — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:14:04 +0000

What are the best excercises to do for a forearm ?

By: bicep>

bicep> — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:34:43 +0000

i readed your previous article and start to browse around. i found your bicep training article. that was 9 set. i tried it and the next day i am sore… was i overtraining? I saw the video as well but too many set could still break the muscle too much, wont they?

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:37:33 +0000

I have been toying with a pair of these hooks though they are pretty damned expensive. Might give them a shot if you reckon they are that good. Cheers

By: SCUBADAVE

SCUBADAVE — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:06:08 +0000

I have tried the hooks like you are using and I found that they ripped after a few weeks. After this I used (amd still am) the straps with the small dowel sewn in and I find them to be better than anything that I tried. I have had them for about 3 years now and they are in fantastic shape. Check them out:

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Lifting-Straps-w-Dowel/dp/B00151WKAG

By: Marc David

Marc David — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:20:51 +0000

Mark – Nice comparison between straps and hooks. I’ve used both and multiple types of straps and hooks. I’ve found that custom made straps are not only more comfortable but more true to life in terms of grip on the equipment and weight used. I actually tossed out my hooks, literally into the trash, and bought custom ATP straps designed for my wrist size.

However, whatever works for comfort is my motto. And unlike 99% of the ‘experts’ out there, I don’t hate using such equipment on certain lifts when focusing on the major muscle group and going for safety.

Using straps and/or hooks for everything including curls and crunches is where I draw the line! 😉