Hook grip
Encyclopedia
Hook grip in weightlifting defines the method in which an athlete grips the Barbell
, which is first gripped with the thumb, then the remaining fingers grip both the thumb and the Barbell. It can be used in multiple weightlifting events (i.e. in "snatch
" and "clean and jerk
").
The Hook grip is considered to be a more secure grip compared to a Closed grip or Natural grip where the thumb remains outside the other fingers. Also, history of this sport reveals that athletes who use the Hook grip can lift more weight compared to those who use a Closed grip. The Hook grip may not be suitable for beginners as the thumb or thumbnail may suffer pain
, although this can be overcome by regular training.
The following is an excerpt from Greg Everett's Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Hook grip is also used occasionally in powerlifting
, for the deadlift
.
Barbell
A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. Barbells range in length from to although bars above 7' in length are used primarily by powerlifters and aren't commonplace...
, which is first gripped with the thumb, then the remaining fingers grip both the thumb and the Barbell. It can be used in multiple weightlifting events (i.e. in "snatch
Snatch (weightlifting)
The snatch is one of the two olympic weightlifting events .The essence of the event is to lift a barbell from the platform to locked arms overhead in a smooth continuous movement. The barbell is pulled as high as the lifter can manage at which point the barbell is flipped overhead...
" and "clean and jerk
Clean and jerk
The clean and jerk is one of the two Olympic weightlifting events .The clean portion of the lift refers to the lifter explosively pulling the weight from the floor to a racked position across deltoids and clavicles...
").
The Hook grip is considered to be a more secure grip compared to a Closed grip or Natural grip where the thumb remains outside the other fingers. Also, history of this sport reveals that athletes who use the Hook grip can lift more weight compared to those who use a Closed grip. The Hook grip may not be suitable for beginners as the thumb or thumbnail may suffer pain
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
, although this can be overcome by regular training.
The following is an excerpt from Greg Everett's Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Hook grip is also used occasionally in powerlifting
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
, for the deadlift
Deadlift
The deadlift is a weight training exercise where a loaded barbell is lifted off the ground from a stabilized, bent over position. It is one of the three canonical powerlifting exercises, along with the squat and bench press.-Overview:...
.