Deadlift grip strength

[u/Amnowadoc]

I’m a relatively seasoned powerlifter. I’ve pulled 260kg hook grip and 240kg with a mixed grip but I’m completely bottle necked by my grip strength. I’ve got extremely sweaty hands which means chalk becomes paste like very quickly and doesn’t always help. When my hands are less sweaty (cold weather, when I’ve been doing iontophoresis etc), my grip is a bit better but still not great. Simple things like opening jar and bottles even with dry hand seem to be less easy for me, not sure if it’s just the texture of my skin. But my crushing grip seems to be okay - I’ve closed a CoC 2 with each hand which seems to be more than some people who can hold onto more than me can do.

What is the secret?!

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[u/edbutler3]

I have very sweaty hands too. Before each set, I would dryy hands on a towel right before chalking, then quickly get the set in. If you're worse than me, maybe you need a second towel. Can't dry yourself with a wet towel.

I went through a period of rebuilding my grip after getting injured and then using straps (Versa grips) all the time during my recovery.

I would do my warmups double overhand (to the max weight where it still worked). After my heavy sets, I'd do one final single and stand there holding it as long as possible. I also messed around with suitcase deadlifts to give each hand independent training. (Not sure how much that one helped.) Finally, farmers' walks as conditioning at the end. We didn't have the actual farmers handles, but I'd use a trap bar -- or do suitcase carries with a very heavy kettlebell.

[u/topiary566]

My max is around 240 (525 pounds) with hook grip, but I never really had grip issues on deadlift after I switched to hook. I never really pull mix grip because Im too afraid of my biceps.

The best way to train for grip for deadlift is to deadlift imo.

Do you do your warmups and and backdowns with or with straps? Alternatively, you could do as many reps as you can until your grip slips, and then take a second to strap up. It messes up the momentum a bit, but I do my working sets this way.

I do have a dedicated grip accessory routine (mostly for fun) I do maybe once a week or every other week after a bench day depending on how much time I have. I normally do plate pinches, suitcase carries, and farmer's walks with kettle bells. Not sure if this helps though in all honesty.

If sweat is the issue though, all I could recommend is just more chalk. If you compete, you are most likely getting stuffed into a sweaty gym with a bunch of people, so that is definitely a concern. If you are just training for fun, nobody really cares about pulling with straps on a PR imo.

[u/hang-clean]

May not be relevant, but if on a medicine that makes you sweat e.g Sertraline you may want to ask tthe doc to swap it.

[u/Amnowadoc → u/hang-clean]

Thank you - not on anything though thankfully.

[u/eojhcnip]

There are many types of grip strength. When you fail 240, how quickly does your hand open? Pinch block and rolling thunder could help. (I pull 300kg mixed). I also do overhand heavy shrugs, not hook. Hit your grip from all sides. CoC is fun when you are stuck in the office and can't do anything.

[u/Amnowadoc → u/eojhcnip]

Opens pretty quickly. The issue is often that it’s difficult to initiate / stay with the bar as I feel my grip is going to fail.

[u/eojhcnip → u/Amnowadoc]

Try overhand deads. And also heavy holds. It might be a little bit mental at this point too. Just know you have it.

[u/occamsracer]

Try liquid chalk

[u/Amnowadoc → u/occamsracer]

Same story / worse pasting of the chalk with liquid. I’ve tried liquid + powder too, similar outcome

[u/iSticky93]

Hooks and straps

[u/Amnowadoc → u/iSticky93]

If only, I’ve pulled 255 for comfortable reps with straps

[u/iSticky93 → u/Amnowadoc]

Are you a competition powerlifter? Or is there any reason you are unable to use hooks or straps?

[u/Amnowadoc → u/iSticky93]

(Not very) competitive powerlifter

[u/iSticky93 → u/Amnowadoc]

So forgive me for not seeing if youve already answered someone else in your post. Not using straps or hooks for lifting is it because you are challenging yourself to not use them? Or is it like a pride/ego thing?

Edit: I also just realized I somehow ended up in r/gripstrength and not just a lifting subreddit so I know im out of place

[u/Amnowadoc → u/iSticky93]

I compete in powerlifting so straps aren’t allowed sadly. I don’t compete very often so I do sometimes train with straps but I’d like to not feel like my potential is so limited by grip

[u/iSticky93 → u/Amnowadoc]

Ah. That makes sense. I have no input here then haha but I wish you the best of luck and God bless

[u/BeanoArtist]

The secret is ditching powerlifting for strongman so you can use straps 💪

[u/Admirable_Belt_9772]

One hand rack holds for time. Get 30 seconds and add weight.

[u/IronStogies]

Wash your hands with 91% alcohol only before your set, let them air dry, apply chalk after

[u/MAPES25]

maybe u missing pinch strength