SLDL question - weak hands??

[Seashell]

I'm very new to deadlifting, I've only done it 3 or 4 times now, and I do the stiff leg "style" going only as low as mid-shin.

My problem is this, my hands are having trouble hanging onto the bar. I feel like the rest of my body can handle the weight but it's hard for me to keep my fingers closed around the bar? Know what I mean?

Is this cause my hands are weak? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[JJFigure]

Does it feel like it's sliding out of your hands? If so, you may want to try some chalk.

 

[Seashell]

Yeah JJ, that's exactly how it feels, it ends up being my fingertips desperatley trying to hold onto the bar and I feel like I may just drop it.

Not sure if it's slippery, or just that my hands are weak, but I'll try the chalk suggestion... (by the way, where does one get chalk? my gym doesn't have any) At any fitness store??

Thanks!

 

[Seashell]

Thanks bigguns, I'll check out that website, and see if the chalk wiht the alternating grip helps!

 

[bigguns15]

They sell chalk online. I know Titan Support systems sells it. You could also search for magnesium carbonate. A local drug store could possibly carry it too.

If it is still slipping out of your hands, you could try lifting straps or using an alternating hand grip (one palm faces you and the other away).

 

[flexygrl]

I actually had more problems with an alternating grip. I don't do it much, but I seem to have it down now. I don't use chalk or straps, but maybe when the weight gets heavier, I'll look into too.

 

[bigguns15]

I actually had more problems with an alternating grip. I don't do it much, but I seem to have it down now. I don't use chalk or straps, but maybe when the weight gets heavier, I'll look into too.

That's interesting. I usually use straps for SLDL, and if I don't have any, I'll use the alt. grip. But I'm really used to that kind of grip since I deadlift every week that way

 

[Seashell]

Daisy Girl : Really? I didn't know that, I'll check with my gym first then, to see if it' s allowed, thanks for the tip!

Also, could you recommend an exercise to improve my grip strength?

Thanks!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Before you buy chalk and bring it to the gym, you might want to ask your gym if they allow it. Not all gyms allow the use of chalk.

I would work on grip stregnth and forearm strength and see if that helps. My guess is that it IS your "hand strength". I had the same problem, it felt like me hands/forearms got tired before my hamstrings so I couldn't hold the bar. Once my grip strength improved, so did doing SLDL.

 

[bigguns15]

Before you buy chalk and bring it to the gym, you might want to ask your gym if they allow it. Not all gyms allow the use of chalk.

I would work on grip stregnth and forearm strength and see if that helps. My guess is that it IS your "hand strength". I had the same problem, it felt like me hands/forearms got tired before my hamstrings so I couldn't hold the bar. Once my grip strength improved, so did doing SLDL.

Very good point. I forgot to mention that too.

I know my grip needs improving so I can do those exercises w/out straps, but right now I can't sacrifice the amount of weight just to work on grip strength. I have added forearms to my current split in order to try to improve this.