Eli5: How do weightlifters’ hands keep up with the increased burden when there’s almost no muscle in them?

Question

Eli5: How do weightlifters’ hands keep up with the increased burden when there’s almost no muscle in them?

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Answer 1

Grip strength is largely to do with musculature in the forearms.

To increase friction and grip, lifters of all competitive types will use chalk to aid the bar from slipping.

To add to this, weightlifters (as in those who do the sport of weightlifting as seen in the Olympics) will use whats called the hook grip to ensure that they can grip the most amount of weight in that double overhand grip. This entails having the thumb in between the bar and the remaining fingers, which acts as a kind of grippy wedge or anchor.