Most gym equipment only offers straight or flat bars. Our body, however, is not made to move one-size-fits-all weights with only one grip option - at least according to numerous studies and the best coaches on this planet.

From a biomechanical perspective, our arms should move freely while lifting in order to alleviate pressure on your wrists, elbows, and shoulders. This problem can become especially clear with pulling movements like lat pull-downs, pull-ups, deadlifts, and barbell/machine rows because these often have limited grip options - unlike chest or shoulder exercises.

Let's use dumbbell press as an example: Here, you intuitively choose a range of motion that feels most comfortable on your joints and that squeezes your target muscle most effectively…