Hook grip and max deadlifts?

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by Arden Cogar Jr.

I've pulled 320kg just about every way you can pull it - sumo, conventional, double overhand, hooked, medium stance, narrow stance, etc. I have NOT RDL'ed it though. I've done the equivalent of an RDL with about 270 for a set of 5.

From a grip standpoint, if you're having an issue with it - and you want to use the hook grip - start in the cage at lower thigh and slowly adapt yourself to the weight from the top down over a course of several weeks. Your hands will get used to it. Or not. It may be something anatomical that is the limiting factor.

I have to groove myself in this manner any time I decide I want to pull more than 350. Which, at this stage of my life, hasn't happened for a few years. Life's too short at this stage. But I'm still fairly certain I can do it.

Good luck.

All the best,
Arden

Damn, 320kg is an impressive pull!

I've conventional DLed 550lb with a hook grip, and I've locked 600 out in the rack for 10 seconds. I did the same thing - I just worked my way up to holding heavier and heavier weight in the rack. I would also hold the weight for time as well.

A hook grip felt far more secure to me than a conventional grip ever did.

[Judas]

Had to dig this one up for an update.

I'm not making much progress here. I have a couple months to wrap a hook around 750-800lbs and hold it for 5 seconds. So far i'm still unable to break 600 from the pins. I can hold 455 for 20 seconds, but when the sheer weight piles up... its like crushing thumbs in a vise.

I pulled a max deadlift with mix grip last month... and couldn't even get a weight i can double with straps. In fact, what i was able to pull and lock out is a weight i've done for 5 reps with straps. I need to nail this. The mixed grip set-up looks fine on paper... but the reality is that the pull changes quite a bit.

Any tricks the pros use for hook grip? Magical tape? Local anesthetic...??? haha

[Whitney]

i'm not going as far as saying it's magic, but i've been using elastikon tape for years.

it's great stuff, and once you use it, you will probably never go back to conventional sports tape again, for thumb taping.

[the tigers]

Im really interested in this. i stopped DLing when I started learning oly a few months back, and after all of the hook grip and learning the clean/snatch movements off the floor, I wonder if my form and grip wont be totally confused when I try a PLing mixed grip DL again.

I was thinking of just trying to hook grip it or doing "clean deads" and leaving the mixed grip PLing DL behind, but I dont know if I am emotionally ready for that. And I am not sure I could look at myself in the mirror in the morning if I started using straps...

[Judas]

Not sure about you but my clean dead is already far beyond my ability to hold with a hook grip.