Is there a way to strengthen my Deadlift grip?

[Soda]

Well, today I had about my worst Deadlift workout yet and I'm not sure where it all went wrong but I'm sure people here will have some ideas...

Grip has become an issue for me over the last month or so. I know you're going to laugh, but I found a solution in using a 35lb women's bar which has a smaller diameter, as I found I could grip it more easily.

However, today that bar wasn't available and I had to use a regular bar. Also, no chalk was around. As a result, by the second rep I had the bar barely on my fingertips and had to put it down at the start of the third. This was at 360lbs. Last week I pulled 355 x6. So today was a total bummer of a workout.

I guess I am going to have to "man up" and learn to use a regular bar...Do I need to do a reset (most certainly I'm guessing...)? Are there other grip-strengthening accessory exercises?

[Briks42]

You are using a mixed grip?

[Karl Schudt]

Do you have small hands? The typical solution is to double-overhand your deadlifts as much as you can, and go to the mixed grip when your grip is failing. The deadlift itself ought to strengthen your grip.

[Soda]

I probably do. I've been using the double overhand until now.

[Nick Klemetson]

First, stop using the slimmer bar. It's a crutch.

Also, no chalk was around.

Do you have this problem when you have chalk? If no, then the solution is easy. Chalk costs $6.99 at a place like Scheel's, and 2 blocks have lasted me a whole year+.

Have you tried a hook grip? Learning it is a bitch, but once your thumbs get used to it, it's great. I haven't lost my grip on a deadlift yet.

[Soda]

I just got back from the store with some chalk, actually... Lesson learned there.

Good point in the hook grip. Forgot about that. No I haven't... I've heard that it hurts your thumbs.

[Karl Schudt]

It hurt my thumbs. Others like it.

[Briks42]

Just mix your grip and have one less thing to worry about in your life.

[Clay Simczyk]

You may want to look into Kroc rows if you're thinking about accessory work.

[Bryan Dobson]

. Make sure you are gripping the bar correctly not high in your palms but below the palm put the bar in the first cress of the fingers.

Then deadlift, the more you do deadlifts and variations, the stronger your grip becomes. Also chin ups and pull-ups