Alright, I've never been big on wearing belts, lifting straps, gloves, knee wraps, wrist wraps...etc. I could go on. To me, it's completely unfunctional to wear something to "assist" a joint in a specific movement, and says something about the imbalances in one's body. But damn the man who put a cyst...yes a cyst in my wrist, a pronounced one at that. I've never heard of training making cysts grow bigger, but it does produce more pain. I only wish exercise could get rid of it, but that is not the case.

unfortunately, since I have to wait to get this fixed, in order for my training to continue, I have gone and purchased some wrist wraps...and I already hate them.

Why? I love em!!! I agree with you on the wraps and belts but straps are almost a must have. I mean, My grip is string but not enough to say power clean 255 5 times. Im just not that good lol jk.

Yea my grip starts giving at about 225. Belts are somewhat important, they don't really assist movement, they just help protect your back. I could say the same for knee wraps.

FunctionalTrain (what is your real name anyway? ) have you ever done wide grip deadlifts or low snatch pulls?

If you make sure your forearms are wrecked, after everything else is, what's the problem? And of course only strap when you have to, to maximize recruitment of desired muscles.

Some exercises are just a waste of time without 'em, for most people who don't have popeye's genetics.

real name is Jamie, but I go by James. My wife's name is also Jamie, so this helps the confusion.

Wide-Grip DLs=awesome, Low Snatch pulls=awesome. I never needed straps until this little SOB crawled in my wrist.

Your wifes last name doesn't happen to be Eason, does it?

funny you should mention it....no, it's not. even better.

as long as you can honestly say that you're not letting straps be a crutch in your training, they are fine.

using a belt to squat 75lbs... yeah that's lame and uncalled for. definitely having a negative effect on ones training.