Using weight lifting straps will help you perform more reps of a certain exercise where your grip gives way before your muscles. If you feel like you can perform more reps on an exercise but your grip is holding you back, then weight lifting straps will help you. Weight lifting straps are designed to enhance your grip and help you lift more weight but are they really needed in your training?
Using Weightlifting Straps
Weightlifting straps are often used for heavy back and trap exercises such as deadlifts, barbell/dumbbell rows, cable rows and shrugs where your grip plays a major role in the exercise. The truth is, you do not need weight lifting straps to get you through your workout. Some people prefer to let their grip develop naturally instead of lifting more weight than their grip can handle.
If your constantly using weight lifting straps in your routine and rely on them to perform your heavy lifts your grip strength will start to lag behind. I’m not saying that using straps are bad. Using straps will allow you to lift more weight and has the potential to result in better muscle growth. However, since using straps can take a lot of the work off your grip and forearms you will need to add some additional forearm work into another one of your workouts.
If you decide against using weight lifting straps but find your grip giving way on certain lifts, then focus on squeezing the bar hard at the start of your set. Try and maintain this grip throughout the movement and you will find it easier to maintain your grip on the bar.
How to use weight lifting straps
To use weight lifting straps follow these instructions:
- Place the end of the weight lifting strap through the loop
- Put hand through the circle so the loop is on the opposite side of your thumb
- Place strap across the palm of your hand and pull strap to tighten
- Begin to wrap the weight lifting strap around the bar
- Now grip the barbell/dumbbell firmly
- Perform the desired exercise as normal with good form
- When finished place the weight down and release your grip
- The weight lifting strap should unravel on its own
Also take a look at the below video on how to use weight lifting straps:
