Good grip strength is important for quality of life. In Do forearm curls work?, I argue that grip strength is more important for weight lifters — and everyone — than big, showy forearms.

Unfortunately, it takes time to develop a strong grip.

Young guys who are eating a lot and lifting heavy can work out the biceps indirectly 3 times per week. They can work out their lats and back 2 times per week.

But the grip is another matter entirely. It can take a week to recover from a fatiguing grip workout. The forearm muscles, and especially the connective tissue in the forearms, takes much longer to recover from fatigue than the back or biceps. I believe that the forearms and the grip limit the rate at which guys on a bulking program can increase size and strength in the back and biceps. If these guys wait for the forearms to catch up, they’re squandering the opportunity to take advantage of newbie gains.

Early in a weight-lifter’s “career” is the time to try to gain weight as quickly as possible without worrying about grip strength. Train the grip later. My theory is that they shouldn’t try to focus on grip and lats simultaneously. Most skinny beginners have no grip strength. For these beginners, holding a 50 or 60-pound dumbbell during a set of bent-over DB rows taxes the grip more than the lats.

Again, I like the points you make. You’re not one of the internet tough-guys who says, “wrist straps are for weaklings…” I just think they are a useful tool during the heaviest pulling sets, in that phase of your workout career when you’re trying to add weight to the bar every time you lift.

I used to use straps religiously for weighted pullups and deadlifts. Over time, I weened myself off them and, along with my interest in rock climbing, have developed a strong grip. What I have noticed is that with the significantly better grip, I am apply the added strength significantly better in non gym situations, like yard work, athletics, or helping someone move. Those benefits I have found are superior to the extra rep or two I may have gotten with the straps. What good are all those hours in the gym if I can’t easily carry the heavy end of something up a flight of stairs?

I guess what I am trying to say is that advising people to spend extra time at the end of a workout developing grip strength through, say, gorilla hangs or farmer’s walks, may be more beneficial long term than advising the use of straps.