Over the last six months or so, I’ve started using the “hook grip” for my deadlifts.
For the uninitiated, a hook grip is where you wrap your thumb around the bar and then wrap your fingers around your thumb.
It’s the grip favoured by olympic weightlifters as it prevents the bar from rotating and slipping under heavy loads. Hence, it allows you to lift heavier weights than you otherwise would with a conventional double-overhand grip.
Sounds great, right?
You’d think so. Except, it’s *extremely* painful – particularly when you’re first starting out but it doesn’t get a whole lot better with time, in my experience.
Indeed, that’s why I’ve hitherto avoided the hook grip like the plague, instead preferring the good old-fashioned “over under” grip.
It’s not that I’ve never tried the hook grip. I have on plenty of occasions. Although never for more than a few weeks because it hurt and significantly reduced the amount I could deadlift.
The latter wasn’t an ego thing.
I needed to deadlift heavy to meet my goals at the time, and now I don’t because I’m older and training for “dad strength” rather than “maximum strength”.
So, I figured it was time to finally crack the hook grip once and for all.
And you know what?
It’s not half bad.
Sure, it hurts like billy-o and I’m lifting perhaps 60% of what I was before, but it’s nice to be setting PBs on a weekly basis and seeing new muscle growth in my forearms and upper back.
Sessions where I deadlift are quicker to get through too, thanks to the lighter weights. (And I don’t feel like I’ve been hit by a truck the day after, which is nice).
The lesson?
Never fear trying new things, provided those things are sane and safe.
Something as simple as trying a new grip or stance can reinvigorate your training – even if it means lifting lighter loads. (Both of which are advantageous for men who have been training a long time, in many cases).
This is also something I’ll happily help you with, when you subscribe to The Phil Tyreman Letter.
It’s £100/month (£3.29/day), there’s no minimum contract and you can cancel quickly and easily whenever you like. (But if you do cancel, I won’t allow you to resubscribe in the future).
Here are all the details so you can make an informed decision either way:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman