In Summary
This guide explores the benefits of lifting straps such as improved grip, wrist stability and support, enhanced lifting technique, minimum risks of injury, and a boost in performance. It also discusses different types of lifting wrist wraps such as lasso, single loop and figure 8 straps along with who and what type of workouts they’re good for.
Are you struggling to keep a steady hold of that butter-like barbell? It’s no surprise – many of us are in the same boat! In fact, I don’t even hate deadlifts because of the form complexity or the weight I’m pulling. I started hating them because I just couldn’t keep the rod from slipping!
If you’re anything like me and can’t keep the weight in your grip, you need to get a pair of lifting straps! This gym accessory is a total game-changer for your workouts. Once you start working out with wrist wraps for lifting, you’ll stop feeling like you’re failing your sets and start training to failure.
Ready to get your next personal best out in front of your gym buddies? Then it’s time to learn more about lifting straps!
Why Do You Even Need Lifting Straps?
When it comes down to performance-enhancing gym accessories, lifting straps are the underdog. Not only do they help you achieve your new personal bests, they also help you improve the quality of your overall workouts.
Enhanced Grip Strength and Stability
Do you feel tired after lifting heavy weights or hitting more reps? When your arms and forearms get exhausted, you’re unable to lift more. This limits your ability to train effectively. A study reveals that because lifting straps give you support, they improve your grip, allowing you to focus on the lift.
In addition, as lifting straps support your arms, they stabilize your movements. This allows you to lift heavier weights than usual. This helps you in more complex lifts such as when you’re doing deadlifts or T-bar rows where you need a better grip on the weights.
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Improved Lifting Technique
To build muscle without injuring yourself, you need to make sure your form in every rep, every set is absolutely perfect. And to get your form right, you need lifting straps. This is because they secure your grip, allowing you to lift not just heavier, but also correctly.
Moreover, with lifting straps, you no longer have to worry about the weights slipping away from your grip. With better grip and enhanced technique, you’re able to focus on the primary muscle you’re targeting. Think of when you bench press – when you have a stable grip, you’re able to squeeze your pecs effectively. This engages your chest muscles and stimulates growth.
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Allows for Longer and More Intense Workouts
Without lifting straps, you’ll experience muscle fatigue much faster, especially in lifts that require grip strength such as kettlebell swings or Turkish get-ups.
However, with lifting straps, not only will you reduce the strain on your arms, but you’ll also prevent your muscles from getting tired too fast. This will ensure you’re working out not just effectively, but for a longer duration of time.
Moreover, as you can perform for a longer period, you’ll also be able to hit more reps and sets done. You won’t have to restrict yourself to 2-3 exercises. You’ll be able to do more, which will make your workout more challenging, giving you strength and growth.
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Injury Prevention
One of the biggest fears I had when first starting on my gym workout journey was getting injured. However, with the proper equipment, you’ll be able to lift more weights and frequency without risking injury.
This is because lifting straps take the stress off your wrist and forearms, evenly distributing the weight of the barbell, dumbbell, or cable – especially during forearm or triceps exercises. As a result, you’ll be able to lift weights in a safe manner, pushing to do more with every set.
In addition, if you already have a poor grip, lifting heavy weights could destabilize your grip, leading to cartilage breakage or tearing of your tendons. This is why lifting straps are a great gym accessory to rely on when you’re training with your weaker or non-dominant side. They secure your grip, reducing the risk of such injuries.
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3 Types of Best Lifting Wrist Straps To Choose From
Just like there are different types of gym clothes, there are various lifting straps out there too. Make sure the wrist straps for lifting you choose are the right ones according to your workout routine.
Lasso Strap
One of the most common wrist wraps for lifting, the lasso straps are perfect for beginners and pros equally. They’re ideal for general use cases, improving your gripping ability for exercises such as deadlifts, RDLs, shrugs, triceps pushdowns, bent over rows, single arm rows, bent over flys, and many more.
Benefits
- They prevent the weight from slipping out of your fingers, aiding your pulling movements.
- They feature padding around the wristband area, which cushions your wrist and prevents abrasion.
- They’re easy to fit around your wrist, giving you easy accessibility when lifting weights.
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Single Loop Strap
As the name suggests, this strap is already in a loop shape, sewn at the bottom. It’s ideal for Olympic weightlifters who are doing exercises such as snatches and cleans. It goes directly above your wrist and wraps around the bar, allowing you not only to lift properly but also release the bar instantly in case it goes behind your head.
Benefits
- This lifting wrist wrap allows you to quickly release the weight in overhead movements such as jerks or power snatches, preventing shoulder injuries.
- They enhance your control during explosive exercises, helping you boost your strength.
- These straps are made of stretchy material, which allows them to withstand rough usage, ensuring durability.
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Figure 8 Straps
Designed for powerlifters who focus on 1-rep heavy lifts, figure 8 lifting straps give you an unmatched grip, boosting your overall performance and minimizing muscle exhaustion.
Benefits
- These straps eliminate the risk of grip failure, making sure the weights stay within your grip. This is especially beneficial for when you’re hitting a PR, training for powerlifting, or in a competition.
- Since they’re made of extremely thick fabric, they endure the toughest of your workouts.
- As they give enhanced grip, they help you distribute the weight evenly through your arm, allowing you to lift more load.
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Conclusion
For serious weightlifters, lifting straps are a gym essential that can’t be ignored. They improve your grip strength, help you focus on your technique, allow you to isolate your targeted muscles, and enhance your performance by boosting your endurance. They also ensure that every rep you hit is done safely and with the stability your wrist needs. By incorporating this accessory into your routine, you’re able to not only do more with every workout, but you’re also able to ensure that your training is as effective as possible. Just choose the right pair according to your fitness level and goals and level up your training routine!
FAQs
There is no single lifting strap for all kinds of lifts and exercises. In fact, the best lifting strap for you is also determined by your fitness level and athletic abilities along with the workouts you do. For instance, as a beginner, the lasso strap is the best one for you. However, if you are an Olympian weightlifter, then you should go for single loop straps that are easy to release in case of overhead motions. Make sure to pick your wrist wrap according to where you are in your fitness journey and where you aim to reach.
Yes, absolutely! Lifting straps are worth all the hype because they give you wrist support and take the strain off your forearms, helping you lift heavier weights. This promotes muscle hypertrophy, gives you a better mind-muscle connection, give you wrist stability, and prevent the unnecessary use of chalk. However, try not to rely too much on these straps and only use them when you’re lifting heavy or aiming for a PR.
Although beginners should stick with the lasso straps, the figure 8 wrist wrap is way better than any other lifting strap out there. This is because it is made of extremely thick fabric, which guarantees endurance and durability. It also means that you get a super secure grip around the bar, which secures your heaviest of pulling movements.
It depends on the type of workout they’re doing. For instance, if you’re talking about Olympian weightlifting pros, then they usually use single loop lifting straps. This is because these wrist wraps allow easy release of the barbell, which improves grip and prevents injuries due to shoulder locks. On the other hand, Powerlifting pros usually go for figure 8 lifting straps as these ones maximize grip strength, stability and security.
