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Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 4:58 pm
by M34Daniel
My back still feels like it has more in the tank, but my grip is tapping out first on heavy deadlifts.
I’ve thought about using straps, but I don’t want to become completely dependent on them. What actually helped you guys build stronger grip more direct grip work, holds, different variations or just more time under the bar?
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 6:21 pm
by JPAniyt
M34Daniel wrote: ↑Mon Aug 31, 2026 4:58 pm
My back still feels like it has more in the tank, but my grip is tapping out first on heavy deadlifts.
I’ve thought about using straps, but I don’t want to become completely dependent on them. What actually helped you guys build stronger grip more direct grip work, holds, different variations or just more time under the bar?
I’d start with dead hangs and heavy static holds. Nothing fancy, just make your hands get used to holding serious weight.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 6:52 pm
by ATylor81n
Straps aren’t the enemy IMO. I’ll go strapless on warmups and my first few working sets, then throw straps on once grip becomes the limiting factor. I’d rather train my back hard than turn every heavy set into a grip workout.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 7:05 pm
by MarkStv0
Farmer carries helped my grip a ton. Added them at the end of pull days and noticed a difference after a few weeks.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 8:04 pm
by Sammd1
Same issue used to happen to me. I started doing double-overhand for as long as I could before switching to straps. Also stopped death-gripping the bar on every rep. That made a bigger difference than I expected.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 8:25 pm
by Tripple333
Honestly, just more exposure to heavy pulls helped. My grip was trash when I first started deadlifting heavy, but it caught up over time.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 10:06 pm
by Gpowell445
Chalk + better grip training. Seriously. If your hands are sweaty, you’re fighting the bar for no reason.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2026 3:23 pm
by JohnyRB99
I use straps on my top sets and don’t feel bad about it. Grip strength is important, but if the goal of the day is back development, I’m not letting my forearms shut the whole session down. I still train grip separately.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2026 4:30 pm
by Mark_HNR
Try timed holds after deadlifts. Load up a weight you can safely hold and just hang onto it for 15–30 seconds. Progress the time or weight slowly. My grip got noticeably stronger doing that.
Re: Deadlift grip giving out before my back does what actually helped?
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2026 5:21 pm
by TimKP
For me it was a combo: chalk, double-overhand on the lighter work, direct grip work, straps for the heaviest back-focused sets. Best of both worlds IMO. No reason to make your lower back wait around while your fingers are filing a complaint.
I’ve thought about using straps, but I don’t want to become completely dependent on them. What actually helped you guys build stronger grip more direct grip work, holds, different variations or just more time under the bar?