bought the wrist strap from EGO in gurney with 10% discount. they have few selections ranging from rm20 to rm40 (cotton to non padded to padded).

throw it in ur laundry machine and wash it with softener or downy perhaps may help . Or soak it with softener with the scent u like. lol

the point of chalk is so that you don't rip the skin of your hands by dropping heavy weights due to sweat, because then you won't be able to lift again until your hands heal.

Straps for deadlifts are basically cheating, part of developing strength in the deadlift is increasing your grip strength. Using grip straps is the same as guys benching on the smith machine.

I Don't use gloves because they make the bar too thick, plus they stink and also any padding will cause bounce, decreasing your total power. Its why weightlifting shoes have hard soles.

Does anyone know where to buy chalk or liquid chalk?

that, i didnt know. thanks for pointing it out.

i dont see anything wrong with benching on the smith, or using straps. dont see the connection between the two. if using straps means i can deadlift heavier, then by all means i would. not disagreeing with you though. there are two schools of thought on this and wont say either is wrong.

you used chalk before i assume?

My 2 cents.

I've been on both sides of the fence. There was a phase where I deadlifted without straps, and now I intend to deadlift with straps. It's the same tool, but with different objectives.

If my objective was to get better and lift heavier on the deadlift, I'd do it without straps. This is, as pointed out earlier, grip strength is a crucial part of the link.

If my objective was to use the deadlift to fatigue a group of muscles especially my back, I use straps as grip is not part of my agenda. I probably have a seperate day for grip training, and to allow grip to compromise my back training isn't something I want.

To the casual observer I'm still deadlifting, but my objectives makes it different.

Well benching on the smith machine and benching with free weights is completely different. IF your goal is to make your pecs bigger and create muscular imbalance (which can lead to injuries) then bench on the smith machine.

But if you want to increase your true strength, build up all your muscles including the smaller balancing muscles then you should use a free weight rack or dumbells. Same goes for squatting on the smith vs squatting on a rack with a free bar.

Another thing to consider is the way your body moves. Our body never moves in a straight line, its fluid and requires constant balancing. So using a machine that only moves in one linear direction will not train your body to move better, it only trains a few muscles and the bigger ones.

For me I lift weights to get stronger and move better. If you're a body builder or you just want to impress your friends by loading the rack up with more weights then the smith machine is great.

I never used chalk before but I'm getting to a point with my BP and deadlift where I can feel the bar starting to slip because of sweat.

I found a good alternative to chalk - because a lot of gyms might not allow it because of the mess it makes - http://www.amazon.com/Metolius-Ball-Non-Ma...22700415&sr=8-7

Anyone know anywhere in Malaysia that sells something like this?

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This post has been edited by hoxy: Jun 13 2012, 05:15 PM

to each their own, i guess.


i agree, smith, BB and DB benching are completely different. but still tools to an end. if smith benching gives me better pecs, or/and hits pecs better, then by all means i would use the smith.

free weights are not the only way to go. lots of people get bigger, and better using exclusively machines. it gives better isolation for the muscle that you're targeting, which is the goal of your workout. not saying free weights isnt good, my workouts are mostly free weights as well but i do use machines every now and then. smith in particular.

if you wanna only get stronger, then just do the big 3, squat deadlift and bench powerlifting style. thats strength. you wanna bodybuild you should at least incorporate some machines in it too.

how much are you deadlifting anyways?

I oughta somwhat agree with micksolo; the overall feel is not the same, because in SM its more of a guided linear controlled movement. But on a free weight; you have to be fully in control on body movement together with the weight.

I wouldnt say one is better compared to other; its really been very very very long I tried DL on SM; for that matter even squat; I prefer of freeweights... as I really feel the muscles worked out compared to SM, I mainly feel tired, but not on full muscles....but personally I believe its best to combine both variations...

its a matter of personal preference. if the smith machine gives you better pecs when doing bench presses with them would you still do barbell bench as your main lift?


and dont deadlift on smith. the bar does not travel in a linear line for DL's.

Agree on the lifts being tools, it's not the end destination for some. If you're a power lifter, then yes. If you're a bodybuilder, it's not.

lol I don't mind you guys using this thread to discuss on pros and cons of exercises and gloves/straps, but just so you know, got my harbringer from ego already, thanks!

good choice, and that my favorite brand! talking of which...I need to get one...heard there is a sale going on in Subang SS13, cant recall the place name.

ANd sorry for highjacking your thread...

Those who are around SUbang area, could visit Sports Direct, new UK based sports warehouse. its at SS13/5. There's some sale up 60% discount is going on till Monday, I think.

I'm actually thinking of getting chalk ,I hate gloves, tearing one of those calluses hurts like a b**** , the tearing doesn't hurt, the workout following is a pain in the ass. Chalk actually helps in keep calluses from forming and keeping your hands dry which is good but in no way that it helps your grip which is also wonderful. Problem is, how many gyms allow the usage of chalk ?

wow.. this sounds promising... i refuse to use gloves because i can get a good grip ... and this eco ball is a very cheap alternative...probably try to get it from ebay

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Added on December 3, 2011, 11:52 pmwoh... that means 1U jusco's branch would have that discount too? is it all Sports Direct stores? or only the one in SS13/5?

This post has been edited by kaspersky-fan: Dec 3 2011, 11:52 PM

I'm not sure if the sales is at both place? Here is the website http://www.sportsdirect.com.my/

I'm not sure if I understand your statement correct? Are you saying glove caused Callus? Gloves suppose to help prevent from frequent rubbing which causes Callus. Unless the glove is not right-fit which causes the rubbing/friction.

he dont wear gloves cause he hates them, i should think.

and chalk does give an edge doesnt it? ive read from some forums it increases their poundages than without. have not tried chalk so im just saying from what ive read.

has anyone here used chalk? can give insight a bit please lol.

Gloves will never fit well, plus they are cushioned. Any cushioning will cause a little bit of bounce and if things are bouncing you'll lose power. also, gloves will increase the overall thickness of what you're grabbing onto, and obviously thicker things are harder to hold than thinner (just ask your GF )

Anyway, I've never used chalk, but I've read enough about it to know that proper lifters and weightlifters all use it because it dries out the hands and stops slippage. If there's no slippage, there shouldn't be any skin tearing. Callouses or tough skin are part of the biz.

Tomorrow I'll use chalk for the first time, I found the Metolius Eco Ball at Camp 5 rock climbing center at 1Utama. 17 RM each which wasn't too bad as they usually sell online for $4 + postage

http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/eco_ball.html

We'll see how much it improves after tomorrow session.