The brutal truth about hook grip pain
If you’re using hook grip in your Olympic lifts, you already know:
It. Freaking. Hurts.
It’s the badge of honour no one asked for - thumb skin shredded, pressure pain, and that constant ache that makes you question whether it’s even worth it. But there’s a reason elite lifters swear by it.
Let’s get into why hook grip is so effective, why it sucks so hard, and how the right tape (yes, Mammal Tape) can change your lifting game.
Why lifters use hook grip in the first place
Hook grip isn’t just some masochistic trend. It’s biomechanically sound and performance-driven:
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More secure hold on the bar during heavy lifts
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Reduces grip fatigue, especially in snatches and clean & jerks
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Prevents bar slippage, particularly in sweaty high-rep sets
It works by wrapping your thumb under your fingers, essentially locking the bar in place. But here’s the downside: your thumb becomes the sacrificial lamb. No skin. Just pain.
The pain problem – and how tape helps
The skin on your thumb simply isn’t built for this. Not naturally. That’s where hook grip tape comes in.
Proper Olympic lifting tape:
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Adds a protective layer over the thumb
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Reduces friction while still allowing mobility
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Absorbs sweat and prevents tears mid-lift
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And crucially - stays on under pressure
Mammal Tape is designed for this exact abuse. While regular athletic tape slips, peels, or folds mid-WOD, our 2.0 and 3.0 formulas stick like hell, breathe like skin, and move with your thumb, not against it.
Mammal 2.0 vs. 3.0 – which is right for your training?
Let’s break it down simply:
|
Version |
Texture & Grip |
Best For |
Stickiness |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2.0 |
Slightly textured, flexible |
Daily training, high-volume sessions |
Very grippy |
|
3.0 |
Smooth surface, ultra-strong |
Max lifts, competitions, PR attempts |
Ridiculously sticky (seriously, it never comes off) |
Both are plastic-free, breathable, and thumb-friendly – so pick your poison. Want control and reusability? Go 2.0. Want lockdown grip and no excuses? 3.0 is your beast.
Taping tips for serious sessions
Want to get the most out of your tape? Here’s the Mammal method:
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Start clean, dry, oil-free thumbs
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Wrap around the lower thumb, covering the joint
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Overlap slightly - but not too tightly. You want blood flow, not numbness
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Press the tape down firmly for 10 seconds - heat activates the adhesive
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Lift heavy. Don’t think about your thumbs again.
Pro tip: don’t skimp. 1 roll = ~30 lifts. You’ve got enough to tape like a pro.
Stop tearing. Start training.
Pain is part of the sport, but destroying your thumbs doesn’t need to be.
Mammal Tape was built for this exact purpose: to protect lifters who don’t quit when it gets uncomfortable.
So next time you reach for that barbell, ask yourself — am I lifting smart… or just suffering?
👉 Join 50,000+ lifters who refuse to let pain slow them down