Does anyone use lifting grips?

[didalittlenamechange]

I've reached the point where my biggest blockage to progression isn't the weight, it's my grip strength.

When I train RDLs, for example, I know I could complete a set, but my fingers and forearms are slipping and giving out on the bar.

Somehow my phone knows this (yuck) and has been showing me ads for these little rubber grips that go between your fingers to help 'stick' the bar in your hands. I don't like the big straps – but these little subtle ones that are quick to pop between your fingers seem simpler.

Has anyone used these? If so, would you recommend?

Ideally I'd just get stronger in my hands and forearms, but that might take a while...

Could you train grip strength? My PT has me doing heavy Farmer's carries - a 32 kg kettlebell in each hand and walk for a minute round the gym. If I feel my grip going, I can set them down then reset.

Also, I assume you're using chalk?

I tend not to use anything but chalk (my PT doesn't really like clients to be reliant on belts & straps) and for my age & time training, I lift very heavy.

I can train grip strength, yep, but as I said, I'm looking for something to use in the meantime.

I don't have chalk, no – I could use that, but I was looking for people's experience of the rubber grips first.

I have the same issue. My hands are small so despite having a pretty strong grip, I do still struggle. I sometimes wear gloves which can help a bit, but can’t use chalk as I have bad eczema on both hands and chalk makes it much worse. I’ve tried straps but don’t get on with them too well either. Off to google these grips now!

I’ve found those rubber things to be completely useless, sorry!

Don’t worry about grip strength, your legs are always going to be far, far, far strong than your grip. I use Bear Grips. They’re really good

I don't have any but I have been thinking about hooks like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FT7VNNRH/ the reviews are good but I've not pressed 'go' yet.

I also use bear grips (the figure 8 lifting straps). I can’t see how anything else would work!! I found I couldn’t grip anything above 15kg in each hand… which is a bit shit for RDLs! I’m up to 30kg in each hand now with the bear grips. The only downside is they are a bit faffy to get on/ off between sets, so I tend to rest with the weights on a bench and kneel on the floor.

I use straps. They’re what serious lifters tend to use rather than those rubber grips, cos they’re effective. You mention straps being big, but I wonder if we’re talking about different things as I don’t think they’re big https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/collections/straps/products/strengthshop-originals-lifting-straps

I use straps for my RDLs and chalk for my deadlifts (because I do higher reps for my RDLs and so straps work better than chalk).
I do have a set of the rubber grip things (which I bought prior to getting to grips with straps/chalk) - I wouldn’t recommend. They are a little helpful if you’re got sore hands on certain exercises (things like rows, lat pulldowns) but completely useless for big heavy lifts (eg your RDLs!). I would recommend persevering with straps - they’ve made a huge amount of difference to being able to progress.