[f1ex]

I find some back workouts I need to use straps when barbell rowing on the last couple of sets whereas on other days I seem to be able to do the whole lot without straps. If your grip's letting go then you'll only short change your back if you don't use straps.

This is probably a well known exercise but I only discovered it the other day for myself.
I bought a tricep extension bar (the one with vertical grips in the middle) - rowing with this is great. I can grip much more easily than a barbell and can get much more of a squeeze between the shoulder blades than with barbell rows - great to do directly after barbell rows when the grip is getting weaker. Just have to watch it past the knees. Anyone else tried these?

[Rocky]

^^Sounds like a good change! I might give them a crack next back session! Good way of keeping the set going!

[Q80_MuscleHed]

hey Rocky .. try farmer's walk .. this exersice will fire up ur forarms muscle .. also try to do some sets of deadlifts without using straps ( not the heavist one ) but set that u feel it easy to complete the reps without using straps

[Rocky]

I do do my deads without straps for all but my heaviest set.

Haven't tried farmerts walk before though - might have to give that a crack in my grip/wrist session at weekend! Cheers buddy!

[f1ex]

So we might see you on World's Strongest Man soon? I think they do about 400lbs in each hand or something ridiculous!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by f1ex

So we might see you on World's Strongest Man soon? I think they do about 400lbs in each hand or something ridiculous!

353ibs actually

[Amped]

I use straps for my back routine but I noticed that when I didnt use them one time I couldnt do the weight. So I am trying not to use them at all anymore. Straps I guess straps give a false sense of strength.

[MaKaVeLi]

Originally Posted by Rocky

I do do my deads without straps for all but my heaviest set.

Haven't tried farmerts walk before though - might have to give that a crack in my grip/wrist session at weekend! Cheers buddy!

yeah you definately need straps for them heavier sets man! Just the other day I had to do it w/out straps and i had to go 40kg lighter and that sucked

[billy d]

Originally Posted by MaKaVeLi2005

yeah you definately need straps for them heavier sets man! Just the other day I had to do it w/out straps and i had to go 40kg lighter and that sucked

that is the only downfall, once ur back is so strong and used to heavier weights but your forearms are not it sucks cause your not going to come close to that weight you can normally do, at least not for the same amount of reps...but i think it all comes down to just having to train your forearms a lil more...cause me personally, i'm bodybuilding, not strength training..

I don't do every back excercise with straps, but when i want maximum poundage kicking my backs as then i need straps

[f1ex]

Originally Posted by Diesel

353ibs actually

Nice work

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Diesel

353ibs actually

Phew! As long as they are only 353lbs - I was gonna struggle with 400lbs otherwise...

I know what you're saying with regard to the toos up between keeping heavy with the back or brining up the forearms to allow for the extra weight. Think I'm gonna use straps (only when I need to) and supplement my training with more forearm work to try and bring them up.
Don't wanna go lighter than my back can handle though for the sake of grip if I can help it.

[Rocky]

Good old legs and shoulders today. Nothing really to say other than posting it so here it is:

Leg Ex: 90lb x 12, 130lb x 10, 180lb x 10, 190lb x 10
Smith Squat: 157lb x 10, 220lb x 8, 242lb x 6
Leg Press: 330lb x 10, 462lb x 8, 505lb x 4
SLDL: 220lb x 10, 285lb x 6, 298lb x 2 (grip went) put straps on and did another 2
Seated Leg curl: 140lb x 10, 200lb x 10, x 15
Leg press calf raise: 265lb x 15, 422lb x 12, 467lb x 10

Smith Military press: 66lb x 12, 100lb x 10, 171lb x 7 (w/pause), 180lb x 2
DB Side laterals: 17lb x 10, 27lb x 8, 39lb x 8
Bent over DB laterals (prone): Same as side laterals
DB Shrugs: 66lb x 12, 95lb x 8, 100lb x 7 (grip!!!)

Ran out of weight on the leg curl - not sure how to increase on that - high reps it is then!!
DB's only go up to 100lb aswell.

Funny session - (not as in ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaa!!!!)
Did more weight or reps (or both) than last time but although I was knackered after squats and leg press - it was just an all over "drained and destroyed" rather than feeling it really focused in my quads. The bloke who I train with (Pat) could feel it all in his legs - whereas mine was all over. I know my form is ok - it's better than his, but it just takes so much out of my whole body. I'll moniter this...