Are you considering switching to a hook grip from a normal grip?

Perhaps you want to change to hook grip after hearing you can improve your PRs, but you are also concerned that it can be painful for your hands to try and learn.

Is it worth the initial pain? Absolutely!

Here are five reasons you need to use a hook grip when lifting.

Reasons You Need to Use Hook Grip When Lifting

Photo: ctto

Additional Security

Firstly, implementing the hook grip offers you additional security during any Olympic lift. Once you become familiar with using a hook grip, it will provide you with much more safety and security than a normal overhand grip.

Hook grip offers bar securing, as it locks in your grip and keeps your body in a more robust position while lifting.

With the additional grip strength and security, hook grip also offers you the chance to increase your PR lifts, which is a massive bonus!

Hook Grip Can be Used for so many Lifts

The hook grip is a fantastic option to use because it can help improve so many of your lifts. Not only will it help you improve your Olympic lifts, but it will also help improve your bent-over rows and deadlifts.

The grip offers additional power and grip, which is why it is such a popular choice.

Reduced Risk

While a normal grip is easier to use, it can cause more stress on your body than using the hook grip, especially as the weights get heavier.

The hook grip provides a stronger locked-out position without placing undue stress on your body.

Reduced Chance of Muscle Tears

Using the hook grip instead of the mixed grip greatly reduces the chance of causing a bicep tear. For powerlifters, bicep tears are very common, as one of the forearms is supinated during mixed grip.

With mixed grip, you remove this potential injury, which allows you to continue training hard each day and avoiding severe injuries.

Reduced Fatigue 

As you don’t need as much first to keep hold of the barbell using a hook grip, it will reduce how quickly your forearms fatigue.

When lifting large weights, you may notice your grip start to fail before your muscles do. You can rectify this by utilizing a hook grip to increase your longevity in lifting.

How to Use the Hook Grip 

To implement a hook grip, the focus is on your thumb, index, and middle finger. Wrap your fingers around your thumb, pushing it into the barbell.

At first, the hook grip certainly isn’t comfortable. However, with the right lifting tape, you can reduce some of the pain significantly.

Over time, it will start to hurt less, and you will start to see significant improvements in your lifts. Check out our range of lifting tapes here.