Video Demo: Weightlifting straps can help you increase the amount of weight you can lift, but there is some debate among lifting enthusiasts about when and how they’re most useful.  While they would appear to be “self explanatory” you’d be surprised how many people really don’t know how to use weight lifting straps.  Watch this video demo to learn the basics and read some interesting information that may help you with your lifts!

What Are Weight Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps are a straight piece material with a wrist loop on one end.  They’re most commonly made of cotton, but can also made of canvas, nylon or leather.  Some variations will also include padding on the wrist portion to help ease friction, reduce slipping, and enhance the level of comfort.

What Do They Do?

The purpose of lifting straps is to enhance your grip, allowing you to focus on the pull or “lift” to a greater degree.  Sometimes when using heavier weights for exercises like deadlifts, cleans, or lat pull downs, your hand grip can fail before the muscle group you’re training.  Weight lifting straps are used only for pulling exercises.

Who Should Not Use Weightlifting Straps?

This is where the debate begins in the bodybuilding community.   Before asking “how to use weight lifting straps” you should be asking “am I ready to use them.”  Most Personal Trainers would agree that if you’re a newbie weightlifter you should NOT be using weightlifting straps until you’ve built your natural hand grip strength and overall body strength.  Straps can give the lifter a false sense of security that they can lift more weight than they are actually conditioned for.  Because straps assist with your grip functionality, they can actually work against you if your grip strength isn’t strong enough to begin with.

If you’re not sure how strong your natural grip strength is, try doing a couple sets of pull ups.  Grab a pair of GymPaws® Gym Gloves for Pull Ups and start working the pull ups bar or try weight assisted pull ups.  If you notice you have difficulty doing pull ups or your forearms start burning before you achieve muscle failure, you probably need to strengthen your grip. We have a great workout you can do to increase your grip strength as well.  Check it out!

How To Use Weight Lifting Straps

1. Using your GymPaws® Weight Lifting Straps as an example, place the GymPaws® logo on the outside of your wrist with the logo facing down towards the floor.  If you’re starting with your right hand, the loop end will be on the outside of your wrist.
2. Thread the non loop end of the strap through the loop so that it is pointing in the direction of your fingers.
3. Pull the strap snug to your wrist by pulling on the non loop end.
4. Standing behind your weight, feed the end of the strap under the bar and begin to wrap it around the bar using your thumb and index finger.
5. Tighten the straps by gripping the bar and rotating your hand forward.  Imagine you’re “revving” a motorcycle throttle.  Keep twisting until the ball of your hand is tight to the bar.
6. Complete the same steps with the other hand.

GymPaws® Weightlifting Straps are made from Military Grade Cotton. They’re not only designed for performance and durability, but they are probably the most comfortable straps you can get.  Double stitched Neoprene padding on the wrist increase comfort and wicks away sweat.

Tweet