Have you ever ever skilled the frustration of your grip failing you throughout a heavy deadlift, inflicting you to lose your grip on the bar? You’re undoubtedly not alone on this battle. Many people possess the power of their again, legs, and arms, however discover their progress hindered by a weak grip throughout workout routines that require a robust maintain. Thankfully, the answer to this predicament lies in lifting straps. By utilizing lifting straps, you possibly can successfully strengthen your grip and unlock new private bests in your exercises.
What are lifting straps?
Lifting straps, product of sturdy supplies reminiscent of cotton, nylon, or leather-based, are coaching aids designed to reinforce grip when lifting heavy weights within the fitness center. One finish of the strap is wrapped across the wrist, whereas the opposite finish is securely hooked up to the bar. By utilizing lifting straps, you possibly can successfully scale back forearm and finger stress throughout workout routines like deadlifts and different pulling actions. The result’s a stronger grip that lets you carry and maintain heavier barbells for prolonged durations or carry out a higher variety of repetitions. Lifting straps are generally utilized by powerlifters, weightlifters, crossfitters, strongmen, bodybuilders, and even common gym-goers who purpose to reinforce their efficiency. [1]
Why do you have to use lifting straps?
There are quite a few the explanation why you may need to pack lifting straps in your fitness center bag. They provide a number of advantages, whether or not it’s efficiency, security, or consolation throughout train.
1. Decrease threat of harm
Lifting straps can lighten the grip whereas lowering the strain in ligaments, tendons, and muscle tissues of the hand and forearm, which may alleviate the pressure on these areas. This, in flip, reduces the chance of accidents reminiscent of tears or overloading attributable to extreme hundreds. When you have calluses in your palms or floor accidents from earlier coaching classes and like to not use gloves, lifting straps can provide added consolation. [2]
2. Stronger grip
This coaching support acts as a useful assistant on your fingers, palms, wrists, and forearms. It alleviates the pressure they endure when lifting heavy weights. You’ll significantly worth its help in workout routines the place grip power performs a vital position in figuring out success, reminiscent of deadlifts, bent-over barbell rows, or lifeless hangs. With a stronger and safer grip, you possibly can obtain new private bests or carry out extra repetitions with the identical weight. Say goodbye to worrying concerning the barbell slipping out of your arms. [2–3]
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3. Larger deal with efficiency
With the help of lifting straps, you possibly can scale back the necessity to focus solely on gripping a barbell or pull-up bar, permitting you to pay attention extra on executing the right method and interesting the focused muscle tissues. This manner, you’ll keep away from the frustration of the bar slipping out of your arms or experiencing forearm discomfort throughout your coaching. By gaining higher management over the barbell, your self-confidence will enhance, significantly when coping with heavier weights. [3]
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4. Higher coaching stimulus
Each power athlete welcomes the power to coach with heavier hundreds and carry out additional reps. This results in a extra important coaching stimulus, prompting the physique to adapt by fostering higher muscle development and power beneficial properties. In essence, better-quality coaching has a optimistic influence on physique improvement over time. [3]
If you’re dedicated to severe power coaching and striving to attain particular targets, following a well-designed coaching plan is important. Try our article that may enable you to create an efficient coaching plan: The right way to Create a High quality Fitness center Coaching Plan?

When do you have to use lifting straps?
To totally capitalize on the benefits of lifting straps, you will need to use them solely for workout routines and conditions the place their utilization is logical and related.
- Lifting straps are useful for workout routines involving free weights reminiscent of barbells, kettlebells, and dumbbells, in addition to throughout coaching classes on the pull-up bar.
- Lifting straps are glorious for workout routines reminiscent of deadlifts (basic, Romanian, and sumo variations), bent-over barbell rows, dumbbell bent-over row, Bulgarian break up squats, dumbbell step-ups, kettlebell swings, or the farmer’s carry train.
- Lifting straps are additionally used for weightlifting workout routines reminiscent of snatch or clear.
- They’re appropriate for a wide range of workout routines, together with push-ups, lifeless cling, hanging leg raises (toes to bar), and varied different pull-up bar workout routines.
- Use lifting straps primarily when working with heavy weights, when aiming to extend the variety of repetitions or to increase your grip on the pull-up bar.
- Rivals must be conscious that using lifting straps is usually prohibited in powerlifting or weightlifting occasions. Nonetheless, they will make the most of liquid or powdered chalk to stop slipping and enhance grip. [3–4]
Do not forget that lifting straps shouldn’t be relied upon as an alternative choice to a robust grip. Attempt to use them solely when vital, reminiscent of in conditions the place you anticipate not having the ability to keep a safe grip on the bar for an prolonged length. By incorporating workout routines with out using lifting straps, you’ll actively strengthen the muscle tissues in your forearms and fingers, which can show helpful in on a regular basis life, for instance, when carrying a heavy bag of groceries.
Who will profit probably the most from lifting straps?
Lifting straps provide advantages to power athletes aiming to reinforce their efficiency in workout routines that depend on grip power. This consists of powerlifters, weightlifters, crossfitters, bodybuilders, and different health fanatics who frequent the fitness center. Nonetheless, lifting straps usually are not appropriate for full freshmen, who’re as an alternative suggested to prioritize creating their grip power. Additionally it is important for freshmen to deal with mastering right method somewhat than solely lifting heavy weights. [4]
This sports activities accent can also be useful for girls who possess ample power however could also be restricted by a smaller palm measurement, which may have an effect on their grip. Additionally it is helpful for people getting again into exercising after recovering from a forearm or wrist harm. Nonetheless, it’s essential to seek the advice of with a health care provider or physiotherapist earlier than incorporating them into your routine. [1]
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What sorts of lifting straps are there?
Lifting straps are categorized primarily based on their form and methodology of use. If you’re contemplating buying them, it’s important to judge the benefits and drawbacks of every sort earlier than making a choice.
1. Lasso lifting straps
These are most likely the most well-liked sort of straps steadily encountered within the fitness center. One finish options an eyelet that you simply put your hand via, whereas the opposite finish is wrapped across the barbell. The size of the strap permits for a number of wraps across the barbell. [5]
- Benefit: Safe attachment to each the bar and the wrist.
- Drawback: Releasing from the bar could take longer.

2. Olympic lifting straps
They characteristic a single closed eyelet that’s handed across the wrist, with the opposite finish threaded below the barbell and secured by gripping it with the palm. These lifting straps are extremely favoured by weightlifters, as they permit for a fast launch of the grip on the barbell. That is significantly essential throughout snatch and clear actions, the place the straps are primarily used within the preliminary part and are launched above the top. [5]
- Benefit: Fast to connect and launch from the bar.
- Drawback: Exhausting to regulate to the form of the hand, and the attachment to the bar shouldn’t be as sturdy.
3. Determine 8 lifting straps
These lifting straps have an 8-shaped design, which units them aside with two eyelets. One eyelet is wrapped across the wrist, handed below the barbell, after which wrapped across the wrist once more to safe it. In contrast to the 2 earlier varieties, these straps don’t fill the area between your palm and the barbell. The determine 8 lifting straps are primarily utilized by powerlifters and strongmen throughout extraordinarily heavy deadlifts. [5]
- Benefit: Your entire palm is in touch with the bar.
- Drawback: Usually are not appropriate for Olympic weightlifting and can’t be pulled down as simply as lasso lifting straps.

4. Lifting hooks
There are additionally lifting straps that characteristic a metallic hook at one finish. These straps are hooked up to the wrist, and the hook is solely latched onto the barbell. Nonetheless, the match of the hook on the barbell shouldn’t be at all times optimum, which is why they don’t seem to be generally used.
- Benefit: No must wrap them across the bar.
- Drawback: Don’t match all sorts of bars.
The right way to safe lifting straps?
By following our information, nearly everybody can learn to correctly use lasso or determine 8 lifting straps. Initially, you will have to focus on the method, however after some time, one can find that it turns into second nature.
The right way to safe lasso lifting straps?
- First, thread the top of the lifting strap via the eyelet, making a loop.

- Cross your hand via the loop in order that the unfastened finish rests in your palm. Then, gently tighten the loop to make sure it’s not too unfastened.

- Subsequent, place your hand on the barbell and thread the unfastened finish of the lifting strap across the barbell, beneath it, as soon as or a number of instances. Lastly, safe the wrapped lifting strap with a agency grip of your hand. Repeat the identical course of with the opposite lifting strap, and you might be prepared to start your exercise.

- To launch the lifting strap, merely let go of the barbell and unwind it.
The right way to safe determine 8 lifting straps?
- Cross your hand via the loop of the lifting strap till it reaches your wrist.

- Stand subsequent to the barbell, thread the second loop beneath it, after which slide it onto the identical wrist. Firmly grip the barbell. Repeat the identical course of with the opposite lifting strap, and you might be prepared to start your exercise.

- To launch the determine 8 lifting strap, merely let go of the barbell and slide the higher loop off of your wrist.
What are the principle takeaways?
Lifting straps are basic train aids that may make lifting heavy weights simpler for you. They enhance your grip, making your exercise simpler, comfy, and even considerably safer. Nonetheless, it’s vital to make use of them just for heavy weights, greater reps, or longer holds when your grip power shouldn’t be enough. For a conventional power coaching session, attain for traditional lasso or determine 8 lifting straps, as they’re probably the most appropriate ones. Then again, weightlifters could want Olympic lifting straps, that are extra simply launched.
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Sources:
[1] Torokhtiy Weightlifting. The right way to Use Lifting Straps: A Full Information. – https://torokhtiy.com/blogs/guides/how-to-use-lifting-straps
[2] What Do Lifting Straps Do? Goal Defined – Encourage US.– https://www.inspireusafoundation.org/what-do-lifting-straps-do/
[3] Stefan, R. The right way to Use Weightlifting Straps to Acquire Power and Make Progress. – https://barbend.com/how-to-use-lifting-straps-for-weightlifting/
[4] Silverberg, A. Lifting Straps vs Lifting Hooks: Variations, Professionals, Cons. – https://powerliftingtechnique.com/lifting-straps-vs-lifting-hooks/
[5] Horton Barbell. The 4 Completely different Varieties of Lifting Straps (Which One Is Greatest?). – https://hortonbarbell.com/the-4-different-types-of-lifting-straps-which-one-is-best/