Your Grip

[Marie]

Do you put your thumb around the bar or do you grip it the same side as your fingers??
Is one better than the other?
:)

[Anca]

It depends on the exercise- but for most exercises, you should be using a closed grip (wrap the thumb around the bar/DB). It allows you to lift heavier and maintain control of the bar or DBs so they don't 'slide' out of your hands.
An example of an open grip exercise is the front squat, when the bar should rest on your fingers and be supported by the front delts.

[Cara]

I use a hook grip -- thumb around bar and tucked under index and middle fingers.

[Erik]

Closed for me.

[smuggie]

I use a hook grip -- thumb around bar and tucked under index and middle fingers.

I can't use a hook grip. It hurts way too much.

[pavermama]

Mine varies on the exercises. What's most comfortable and safest for that exercise.

[Cara]

I can't use a hook grip. It hurts way too much.

It does hurt at first. I can only use it for so long before my thumb starts to kill. But my Olympic lifting coach requires a hook grip, so I try to use it all the time to get used to it. They say it gets easier. :shrug:

[smuggie]

It does hurt at first. I can only use it for so long before my thumb starts to kill. But my Olympic lifting coach requires a hook grip, so I try to use it all the time to get used to it. They say it gets easier. :shrug:

I used it for quite a while at one point, but just couldn't get used to it.

[Gnat]

Closed for me.

:ditto: