I’m starting to get to the point where I’m barely hanging on with double-overhand grip. So I’m looking at other options, but I’m struggling to make the mixed grip work.
When I supinate my arm, there is a significant angle away from the body at the elbow. As a result, my elbow is colliding with my knee when I use my usual grip width. I’d have to grip significantly wider than is natural for me in order to get the elbow out of the way. I can send a photo if that would help.
My other concern is introducing a lateral “moment arm” at the elbow. It seems bad / dangerous to do a heavy pull with any angle in the arm.
Am I doing something wrong, or is there a subset of people that can’t make the mixed grip work because of this anatomical quirk? Should I just widen the grip and try it out anyway?
Admittedly I haven’t tried hook grip yet, but I know it’s quite common to struggle with that, so I’m worried I’ll be relegated to straps. I don’t have immediate plans for powerlifting competition, but it’s something I’d consider.
Am I doing something wrong, or is there a subset of people that can’t make the mixed grip work because of this anatomical quirk? Should I just widen the grip and try it out anyway?
I haven’t seen this in anyone I’ve coached on the deadlift, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. A video would be very, very helpful.
When I supinate my arm, there is a significant angle away from the body at the elbow. As a result, my elbow is colliding with my knee when I use my usual grip width. I’d have to grip significantly wider than is natural for me in order to get the elbow out of the way. I can send a photo if that would help.
Yes, this is called a “carrying angle” and everyone has it. Women’s tend to be larger than mens due to their hip anatomy. When you grip the bar however, the load applies traction to the arm and the carrying angle is eliminated, e.g. no lateral moment arm and definitively not dangerous in this respect.
It sounds to me like you’re gripping the bar wider on the side that’s supinated. I would not do that. Rather, I would grip the bar evenly on both sides right at the start of the knurling. Or use straps as discussed here:
The Grip Problem
Understood, thanks for the reply!
I’ll give it another shot in the gym on Monday and take some video / attach it here if I’m still having issues.