Grip Solutions for the Deadlift

[Sean Plant]

The hook grip is no longer working for me at 168kg.
Do barbells with sharper knurls improve your grip on the bar? As I've pulled 190kg in the past using a hook grip without any grip issues.

If ever it becomes necessary to use the alternate grip or straps, which would be the better option?

On the alternate grip, is it advisable to supinate your non dextrous hand?

Thanks.

[Justin Smale]

There's a few good articles and tons of info on the forums about this. I liked this one:

The Grip Problem | Jordan Feigenbaum

I've used straps and loved it. Because it was easier than alternate grip, and easier things are more pleasant. Upon further reflection that was enough for me to decide to use the alternate grip.

[Satch12879]

What does "the hook grip is not longer working" mean?

[Sean Plant]

There's a few good articles and tons of info on the forums about this. I liked this one:

The Grip Problem | Jordan Feigenbaum

I've used straps and loved it. Because it was easier than alternate grip, and easier things are more pleasant. Upon further reflection that was enough for me to decide to use the alternate grip.

Thanks for that, good article.

[Sean Plant]

What does "the hook grip is not longer working" mean?

It means the rest of my body is strong enough to deadlift the work set but grip strength on the hook grip isn’t allowing me to do a set of 5.

I think it’s due to using a smoother bar as I’ve hooked 190kg using a sharper knurled bar.

[Satch12879]

It means the rest of my body is strong enough to deadlift the work set but grip strength on the hook grip isn’t allowing me to do a set of 5.

I think it’s due to using a smoother bar as I’ve hooked 190kg using a sharper knurled bar.

You didn't answer my question.

Did the bar come out of your hands? Did the hook physically loosen and did the bar fall?

[Fulcrum]

I think satchell is beating around the bush and trying to ask if your hook grip failed (dropped the bar/lost grip) OR maybe...is it too painful or something....or are your thumbs tore up or something.

As long as you can still pull a heavy single with hook.
Or say a near max or absolute max with a hook, that is the important part.
(context is competitor)

If a lifter has already adapted to hookgrip (pain wise, etc. You said you pulled 190 already),
then hooking a bunch of volume work its not so important. Or say, a hooked 5RM is not so important.
I mean, you'll want to use hook often, but up to a point.
If you have some heavy volume deadlifts coming up, maybe the first set use hook, then strap the rest.
Something reasonable like that.

I wouldn't mix grip unless you are a competitor of some sorts.

Also, chalk is very important for hook to work optimally, maybe even moreso than mixed.
Chalk helps everything of course. But a greasy bar with hook and no chalk doesn't work for me at all.

Almost everyone will pull harder, faster, with more confidence, and with heavier weights with straps.
I wouldn't limit your deadlifts with grip issues.

Hookgrip is more of a skill of sorts.

[Sean Plant]

You didn't answer my question.

Did the bar come out of your hands? Did the hook physically loosen and did the bar fall?

Yeah, it just came out of my hands and fell.

[Jim Upchurch]

I like using double overhand grip while warming up to working sets and then using straps.

[Erik Y]

I’d work on your grip. I liked the suggestion someone made of doing most of your warmups double overhand.