Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-03 Origin: Site
If you’ve ever struggled to maintain your grip while lifting heavy weights, you’ve probably heard of lifting straps. These simple but effective accessories can make a huge difference in your training, helping you lift heavier, train longer, and improve your overall performance. But with so many different types and brands available, how do you know which lifting straps are the best for your gym workouts?
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain what lifting straps are, why they’re useful, the different types available, and how to choose the best pair for your goals. Whether you’re a beginner lifter or an experienced athlete, this article will help you find the perfect lifting straps to match your needs.
Lifting straps are long, durable pieces of material—usually 100% cotton,poly-cotton,microfiber,cowhide,neoprene and polyester—designed to wrap around your wrists and the barbell. Their purpose is to enhance your grip strength by attaching your hands more securely to the weight.
When lifting heavy weights, your grip often gives out before your larger muscles (like your back or legs) reach their full potential. Lifting straps solve this problem by taking some of the load off your hands and transferring it to your wrists and forearms. This allows you to hold onto the bar longer and lift heavier weights safely.
They are especially useful for exercises like:
Deadlifts
Barbell rows
Pull-ups and lat pulldowns
Shrugs
Heavy dumbbell exercises
By improving grip endurance, lifting straps allow you to train your target muscles more effectively without worrying about grip fatigue.
Before diving into the best lifting straps, it’s important to understand why they’re so beneficial. Many athletes and lifters rely on them because they offer several key advantages.
When your grip is no longer the limiting factor, you can lift more weight and perform more repetitions. This is especially helpful during pulling exercises like deadlifts, where your grip can fail before your larger muscles tire out.
By reducing grip strain, lifting straps help you focus on engaging the target muscle groups more effectively—such as your lats, traps, or hamstrings—rather than worrying about holding onto the bar.
When grip fatigue sets in, you may unintentionally lose control of the barbell, leading to injuries. Lifting straps help prevent accidents by keeping the bar securely in your hands throughout the lift.
For workouts with high repetitions or endurance-based sets, grip fatigue can interfere with your performance. Lifting straps let you push through longer sets, ensuring consistent training quality.
Certain exercises—like Romanian deadlifts, heavy shrugs, or weighted pull-ups—benefit greatly from lifting straps because they allow you to focus on muscle contraction without worrying about grip strength.
Before choosing the best lifting straps, it’s helpful to understand the different types available. Each type offers unique features and benefits depending on your lifting style and goals.
These are the most common type found in gyms. They consist of a long piece of material with a loop at one end. You insert your wrist through the loop and wrap the other end around the barbell several times.
Advantages:
Easy to use
Adjustable tightness
Suitable for most lifting exercises
Best For: Beginners and intermediate lifters who want versatility and comfort during workouts.
Figure-8 straps are designed for maximum grip security. They are pre-sewn into a figure-eight shape, with loops on each end for your hands. You thread your hands through both loops and grip the bar in between.
Advantages:
Extremely secure
Ideal for heavy deadlifts
Quick to set up
Best For: Powerlifters or those performing very heavy pulls, where grip failure is common.
Lasso straps are similar to standard straps but have a longer tail that wraps around the bar multiple times, providing extra security. They’re popular because they combine comfort with control.
Advantages:
Adjustable tightness
Good balance of comfort and grip
Great for various lifts
Best For: Intermediate to advanced lifters who want a reliable all-around strap.
Padded straps feature soft foam or neoprene padding around the wrist area to improve comfort during long or heavy lifting sessions.
Advantages:
Reduces wrist discomfort
Suitable for long workouts
Best For: Lifters who experience wrist pain or discomfort during heavy lifts.
Leather straps are extremely durable and provide excellent grip, especially for those who prefer natural materials over synthetic ones.
Advantages:
Long-lasting durability
Strong, firm grip
Classic design
Best For: Experienced lifters and those who prefer premium materials with extra support.
Choosing the best lifting straps depends on your training style, comfort preferences, and lifting goals. Here are some important factors to consider before buying a pair.
The material determines the strap’s comfort, durability, and grip.
Cotton: Soft, comfortable, and breathable. Great for beginners.
Nylon: Durable and flexible, suitable for heavy lifting.
Leather: Strongest option with excellent grip, ideal for professionals.
Choose a material that balances comfort with toughness based on your training intensity.
The length of the strap affects how many times you can wrap it around the bar. Longer straps offer more grip security, while shorter straps are faster to set up. A typical range is 20–24 inches in length.
For width, most straps range from 1–1.5 inches. Wider straps provide more wrist support but may feel bulky for some users.
If you train frequently, comfort becomes crucial. Look for features such as padded wrists or soft edges to prevent irritation and bruising during long sessions.
Beginners should choose straps that are easy to put on and remove. Standard or lasso-style straps are user-friendly, while figure-8 straps may take some practice but offer the best hold for heavy lifting.
High-quality stitching and reinforced loops ensure your straps last longer. If you lift very heavy weights, durability should be your top priority.
For deadlifts and strongman training, go for figure-8 straps.
For general gym use, standard or lasso straps are perfect.
For comfort and long sessions, padded straps are best.
While there are many brands out there, here’s a look at some of the most popular types of straps that consistently perform well in gyms:
These straps are lightweight, easy to wrap, and perfect for beginners or intermediate lifters. They provide a good balance between grip security and comfort.
If you focus on powerlifting or want to improve your deadlift, figure-8 straps provide unbeatable security. They’re especially useful for lifters working with heavy weights who want maximum stability.
These straps are ideal for those who value comfort and want to avoid wrist pain. The neoprene padding ensures a snug, soft feel during long lifting sessions.
Leather lifting straps are the best choice for advanced lifters who prioritize durability and grip. They mold to your hand shape over time, offering both comfort and strength.
Wearing lifting straps the right way is just as important as choosing the right pair. Here’s how to use them correctly:
Thread the end of the strap through the loop to create a circle.
Slide your hand through the loop so it fits snugly around your wrist.
Wrap the free end around the barbell several times, moving inward toward your palm.
Tighten the strap by twisting the bar slightly until it feels secure.
Perform your lift, focusing on proper form while letting the straps assist your grip.
Always ensure the straps are tight enough to hold the weight securely but not so tight that they restrict wrist movement.
While lifting straps are extremely useful, they shouldn’t be used for every exercise. Use them strategically to maximize performance without becoming overly dependent on them.
Heavy pulling movements (deadlifts, rows)
High-rep back workouts
Grip fatigue prevention
Warm-up sets
Grip training exercises
Pressing movements like bench press or shoulder press
Lifting straps are one of the most effective tools for improving your gym performance, especially if grip fatigue limits your progress. The best lifting straps are the ones that match your training goals, offer comfort, and provide a secure grip during your heaviest lifts.
For most gym-goers, lasso or padded cotton straps are ideal for everyday use, while figure-8 straps suit those focusing on heavy powerlifting. If you’re looking for long-lasting strength and premium feel, leather straps are a great choice.
No matter which type you choose, lifting straps will help you push past your limits, lift with better control, and focus on building strength where it matters most. With the right pair, you’ll find yourself performing better in the gym—safely and efficiently—every time you train.