Adding weight when doing hanging traction

[wk105]

Rip,

You say here that after you get used to your bodyweight when doing hanging traction, it helps to add load.

Bodyweight wasn't doing much today, so I added a 45lb plate to a dip belt today, and the decompression and pain relief was much better - thanks for the tip.

How have you loaded these incrementally in the past, and what loads have you found to be most effective?

Thanks,

Will.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Plates on a dip belt, just like you did.

[wk105]

Thanks.

How much weight have you tried this with? 135lb or so on the belt seems like it'd be fine.

[nks]

Hi Rip, just wondering if it's possible to do this by hanging as if doing pull-ups, instead of using two weightlifting belts. I'm asking this 'cause I only have one belt.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Depends on how strong your grip is.

[tnumrych]

Depends on how strong your grip is.

Could straps be used to mitigate grip strength as a limiting factor? That usually how I do them since I don't have the luxury of two belts myself. Although finding a rack long tall enough so that your feet don't touch the ground is an issue at my gym.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yes, two shitty belts being prohibitively expensive for everyone but me.

[nks]

I found a cheaper alternative. They are called 'ab straps'.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Cheaper than $20 belts?

[MattJ.D.]

Cheaper than $20 belts?

about the same price but the ab straps hurt a lot less to use