Are you struggling with pull-ups and/or deadlifts because your grip is giving out? This is often a problem for the ladies but can be just as much of a problem for the gents too!

Try a few of these to improve your grip strength:

1. Thick grip: Start adding a thick grip exercise into your routine each week. A thick grip forces your forearm to really work overtime and this will build some great strength! An axle bar is ideal for this, but alternatively you can wrap a towel around a bar a few times to thicken the grip.

2. Farmers walks: Add farmers walk into your routine once a week – simply grab a par of relatively heavy dumbbells or kettlebells and walk for around 30 meters, 3 or 4 times. As well as being great cardio this will really help your grip.

3. Avoid using straps: when the weight you’re lifting becomes too heavy for your grip to handle, it is common to begin using straps as an assistant aid. This results in you relying on them too much and no improvements being made to your grip strength. Instead, reduce the weight to a manageable load that you are able to hold without assistance and build your strength this way.