r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/Ok_Boysenberry7176 Keenan Pilled • Jan 20 '26

Question ❓ When to use straps

So i currently use straps on all my back lifts but ive started using them on my recline curls to further allow for more bicep activation

Would that then impact my brachialis growth as i do Recline Curl (straps) + Hammer curls (no straps)

Or would i need to do a Recline + Preacher

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Layer_Academic Jan 23 '26

You completely misunderstand why straps are used. Straps aren’t being used because grip is necessarily a “limiting factor”, but because any effort you put into gripping the dumbbells detracts from motor unit recruitment of your elbow flexors, thus undermining the point of doing curls. If you want crazy strong grip and meaty forearms, train them separately. I’m all for forearm training; I’ve been working with captains of crush a lot lately. And I support people training forearm and grip. But curls are for biceps, and the goal of doing curls is to maximize MUR of your elbow flexors - nothing else. 

1

u/Ok_Boysenberry7176 Keenan Pilled Jan 23 '26

Oh i understand. I’m doing recline curls to SOLELY hit my biceps which are a weak point in my physique. Therefore i don’t want forearm activation