TEEN BODYBUILDING

Q: Is there any advantage to using accessories such as lifting straps, knee wraps and belts? Every time I bring one of those things out I’m told it’s cheating to move more weight.

A: The answer to that question depends on a couple of things. First, are you a bodybuilder or a power lifter? Are you interested in moving as much weight as you can or are you more interested in stimulating your muscles for growth? Bodybuilders should really only care about one thing, and that’s performing exercises with enough weight to cause significant growth, regardless of how much weight that is. It’s common to see very large, muscular individuals using weight you would think is easy for them, but a smart bodybuilder walks that fine line between using heavy weights that will give them what they need without risking injury. Having said that, many bodybuilders have adopted the tools power lifters use including: belts, wraps and straps. For example, when doing heavy shrugs, sometimes your grip can’t handle the poundages needed to stimulate the traps, that’s when lifting straps come into play allowing you to use that much weight. When squatting, using knee wraps and a belt can help keep your body tight and fully supported so you can focus solely on stimulating the quadriceps. So the next time you get laughed at for using any of these accessories, hit a pose and challenge that person to a comparison. Chances are the size of your muscles will intimidate them enough to keep them from chirping you the next time in the gym.
 

PHOTO CREDIT: Martin PIllmajer