Weightlifting straps are used to improve grip during lifting exercises and are made of non-stretch materials like nylon or leather. They can be helpful for targeting specific muscle groups but overuse can weaken natural grip. Lifting hooks and gloves are also options for improving grip.
Weightlifting straps are strips of fabric that athletes or bodybuilders can wear around the wrists and over the hands to better grip the weights when lifting. Also known as lifting straps, powerlifting straps, weight training straps, and barbell straps, they are commonly used during more intense lifting exercises such as deadlifts and barbells. Straps are typically made of a material that does not stretch, such as nylon, cotton, leather, or suede, and have a loop at one end. They are secured by pulling one end of the strap through the loop located at the other end.
Weightlifting straps can promote a better workout by allowing the lifter to gain a better grip, allowing them to target certain muscle groups. Weightlifting straps can also help people with sweaty hands who might otherwise drop the weightlifting bar. Some experts advise against overusing weightlifting straps because reliance on them can weaken a lifter’s natural grip. Inexperienced lifters may want to avoid using these straps, as there is an added risk of injury when using them.
To use the lifting straps, fitness experts recommend putting them on your less coordinated hand first. After passing both hands through the loops, the straps should be placed between the thumb and first finger. The strap is then tightened around the wrist, with the strap hanging toward the floor as the bar is grasped. Finally, the strap is looped under the bar and looped back over the top twice. The bar itself can also be rotated towards the riser to tighten the straps a bit more.
In addition to weightlifting straps, some people use weightlifting hooks when exercising. Lifting hooks are made of cloth Velcro fasteners that go around the wrist with a metal hook that is held in the palm of the hand. Some fitness experts claim that lifting hooks work better than weightlifting straps, particularly when used in certain exercises like deadlifts, shrugs, and barbell rows.
Weightlifting gloves can also help weightlifters grip. These gloves are usually made of leather or neoprene and absorb sweat. They usually have a padded side that is meant to be worn on the palms of the hands, and usually do not cover the fingers. Wrinkles in these types of gloves should be avoided as they can cause blistering.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
