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Originally Posted by cookieduster
I have a problem hanging on to the bar if I put enough weight to only get 3 or 5 reps. I was trying to avoid using straps but it seems as though I might have to if I want to go heavy. Thanks again for your help.
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I had a feeling when I started reading this that grip was gonna play into it. I assume you're talking about deadlifts here but even with shrugs you should be capable of pulling mega poundages (even if you're not doing power shrugs which would be even heavier) so at first it's quite common for strength to outstrip grip. You may have to use straps right now but I'd suggest you start training your grip as well or you'll dig yourself a hole. Otherwise DON'T use straps and just do your best to hold on. I'd prefer, personally, to not use straps AND to train the grip. It will come along VERY quickly.
Direct forearm work will help of course but the simplest thing to do is to make the bar harder to grip on the exercises where grip is not an issue. Like rows, pullups, upright rows...you get the picture. Just wrap something around the bar to make it thicker like a towel. I actually still do this all the time even with heavy deadlifts. You can also use things that are thinner. For instance if you do rope work with overhead pulley, instead of using the thich rope handles with a knot or catch for your hands, use a regular piece of thinner rope with no knot or catch so you have to hold on for dear life using grip alone. For direct work one of the best things is behind the back wrist curls (again with a towel on the bar). Besides of course reverse wrist curls or whatever else you feel like doing.
Traps have been covered thouroughly so the only thing I would add is that there are individual variations in how you traps look and grow. So when you might be expecting to see those high peaky traps start to show on each side of your neck you'll be dissatisfied. But you could find that a lot of your trap thickness is to the rear and/or you have a more gradual slope to the upper traps so that the growth is less apparent over the short haul.