I've used straps and hooks. I recently switched to a padded strap and like it better. The use of straps does not make you a pussy, weak, soft, a woman, a girl or a sisssy or any other rediculous "insult". USE straps for HEAVY work. otherwise you can't possibly be pushing your big muscles to the max.
CONSIDER, for your edification, you are going to LIMIT? your back workout to ONLY the weight you can pull until forearm failure??
IF so then you will NEVER, EVER, EVER maximize either your back strength nor your size; it's not possible. THe reason is that I don't care HOW strong you make your forearms they will always fail before your heaviest sets of back work, PROVIDED, you are actually going HEAVY for back work.
Arnold used them, Oliva used them (and I still have the black and white mag in which he tells how to use them), Columbu used them and he was a NATIONAL strength champion before he was a Mr. Olympia winner.
DOn't tell me that straps make you weak. Not useing them makes for a PISS POOR back workout.
Of course this is only my and multiple Mr. Olympia. There are many many examples of elite level powerlifters using straps.
NOW, WORK YOUR FOREARMS TOO. HEhe, no, you can't get out of it, work them badboys like they do at westside barbell club.
ronmind's Rolling Thunder
Hex dumbell holds
Various custom grippers to work the fingers in different ways
Myself, I'm old school and still like plate pinching and back side wrist rolls.
