This 1 Minute Routine Makes Your Deadlift Instantly Stronger

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

One minute. One habit. A huge difference in how your deadlift feels and performs. Try this before your next pull—you’ll feel it immediately. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains.

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When to Use Lifting Straps (and when NOT to!)

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 07/07/23)

What are some viable uses for lifting straps, when should you use them, and when should you not use them? Let’s hit it.

(For instructions on how to easily make your own straps as well as how to use them, see a few of our videos in this article.)

Weightlifting (AKA Olympic lifting or Olympic weightlifting)
If you regularly practice the snatch and clean, you use the hook grip a lot, and as a result, your thumbs can accumulate quite some wear and tear over time. Keep using the hook grip on the snatch and clean - after all, this is part of practicing your sport. However, you might want to use straps on your deadlifts (and rows) to give your hands a break when possible.

Lighter Pulling Day
If you have a light or medium pulling day built into your week - something along the lines of a lighter deadlift day or a row - and if your hands are a bit beat up from your heavy deadlift day, then go ahead and use straps on the lighter pulling movements.

Injury or Other Impairment
Got a broken finger or a sprained thumb? Use straps. Perhaps you’re missing a finger or two or you have a neurological impairment that prevents one hand from squeezing as tightly as the other hand. Again, use straps. The other option is to not pull at all, and that’s a rather silly option.

Back-off Sets
On your heavy deadlift day, perhaps you have a top set followed by one or more back-off sets. For your top set, use the hook grip or a mixed grip as you usually would, and then for the back-off work, go ahead and use straps to give the skin on your hands a break.

Do NOT Use Straps: Cleans
Never use straps when performing cleans. Ever. You can find a few excellent examples on YouTube of people who disregarded this advice and proceeded to break their wrists. It’s worth repeating - do not use straps on cleans.

Do NOT Use Straps: Novice Linear Progression
When working through your novice linear progression, there’s no need to use straps. Simply hang on to your deadlifts using a hook grip or a mixed grip. It’s one set of five reps - that’s it. You can suffer through the hook grip for five measly reps, and if you can’t (or if your hands aren’t large enough), then simply use a mixed grip (AKA alternating grip or switch grip).

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

-Phil

PS: Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

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99% of Lifters Don't Know These Training Tricks

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

Most lifters are leaving progress on the table without realizing it. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers covers 12 overlooked training tactics, techniques, and tricks that can change the way you approach the bar. Watch this before your next session — your future PRs will thank you.

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

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  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

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DIY Lifting Straps in 3 Minutes - Stop Wasting Money

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

Don't want to waste your hard-earned cash on lifting straps? In this quick DIY guide, Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers shows you how to make your own heavy-duty lifting straps in less than 3 minutes using cheap, simple materials. Strong, durable, and budget-friendly — perfect for deadlifts, rack pulls, rows, and any heavy pull where your grip needs backup. Save money, and lift more.

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

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  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

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Don't start deadlifting before you've done THIS

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

It's simple. It's fast. And skipping it could wreck your deadlift. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains and demonstrates.

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

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The BEST Grip for Deadlift!

/ Testify Strength & Conditioning/

There is one correct way to grip the bar in the deadlift, and it's probably not what you think. In the 5th video in our Saturday Shorts series on fixing the deadlift, Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains what's up.

(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 11/26/22)

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

  • Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

  • Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

  • Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

  • Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

  • Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

book a free intro