Lifting straps will improve your grip strength and wrist support, allowing you to deadlift more weight.
Lifting straps are support tools weightlifters use to gain extra strength and muscle during workouts. They can help reinforce their grip, leading to better grip strength and more robust exercise performance (1). They also effectively protect the wrists when performing heavy lifting routines. This article touches on the best lifting straps athletes can use for their workout routines, especially focusing on deadlifts. It also outlines some incredible benefits of these accessories and the characteristics that the best lifting straps share. Additionally, it highlights an excellent lifting strap that meets these criteria.
What Are Lifting Straps?
Sometimes, individuals mistake lifting straps for wrist straps; however, they’re very different. Lifting straps are primarily used to improve gripping ability for weightlifting exercises like deadlifts and rows. They tie your hands to the weight, which also helps reduce strain on your forearms and hands. This makes deadlifts or other pulling exercises safer, producing more strength and muscle gains. In this study, deadlifting with and without lifting straps was shown, and participants who utilized lifting straps could complete more repetitions and maintain a more substantial grip (2).
Wrist wraps, on the other hand, help stabilize wrist joints, making workouts safer even when lifting heavy loads. They also serve as extra support for wrists, making exercises more comfortable. Athletes use wrist straps for push-day movements like bench, overhead, or shoulder presses.
Benefits of Lifting Straps
- They improve your grip strength for pulling exercises.
- They can allow you to perform more reps with heavier weights.
- These tools strengthen your hands and forearms and help delay fatigue.
- They help protect your hands from calluses (a rough, thick skin area that appears because of pressure or irritation).
- Using them can help improve your mind-muscle connection. It allows you to focus on the target muscles, which is good for muscle hypertrophy.
- It’s more effective and cleaner than using chalk.
Selecting the Best Lifting Straps
There are many on the market. However, athletes searching for the best straps for deadlifts must choose a functional, quality option that lasts. You need something heavy-duty to improve your hold on a heavy barbell.
Deadlifts recruit muscles in your entire body, especially the posterior chain. After a while of pulling, it’s possible to get to a point where your grip cannot keep up with the weight. The best lifting straps will take the pressure off your hands at this point, allowing you to execute and benefit from those heavier pulls. Lifting straps can also help you work around blisters, tears, and rips. You can use three general lifting straps during a deadlift: closed loop, figure eight, and lasso.
- Closed Loop: This one is teardrop-shaped with loops around your wrist. Its ends are secured together, but it’s the loosest type.
- Figure Eight: The figure eight strap loops around your wrist twice, and the barbell once keeps you extra secure. It’s an excellent strap for maxing out your deadlift but doesn’t work well for lifts that require a quick bar release.
- Lasso: The lasso strap has number nine shaped loops with a circular opening at the top for your wrists. It also comes with an extended strip of material at the bottom, which makes it versatile. You can loop this strip as loose or tight as you want for extra grip.
Below are more details to pay attention to when searching for the best deadlift lifting straps.
Material
They can be leather, cotton, or nylon. Cotton is great for most people, but nylon might be the best option if you’re going heavy for your deadlift. However, leather works for those who want a premium aesthetic.
Size
Some, like figure eight, come in different sizes. However, lassos are one size fits all, and you can adjust them for comfort when doing deadlifts. This might be best for those who want to adjust to their size increases as time goes on.
Length
Short straps are easier to get on but could compromise security when doing deadlifts. A strap between 18”- 22” is best for a safer deadlift. However, they might take a slightly longer time to set up.
Durability
They naturally deteriorate over time, especially when lifting heavy during deadlifts. However, factors like stitching quality and the type of edges also play a role. Avoid straps that are fraying at the seams or edges.
Iron Bull Strength Lifting Straps
Iron Bull Strength's Unleash wrist straps are crafted from heavy-duty nylon and deliver a firm grip on bars so you can lift heavier weights without overtaxing your hands and grip.
The Iron Bull Strength lifting straps meet the standard for the best deadlift straps. Let’s examine the specifications and features below.
Specs
Below are the specifications for the Iron Bull Strength lifting straps.
- Heavy-Duty Neoprene Pad
- Secure Fit and One Size Fits All
- Premium Nylon Material
- 1.5 Inches Wide by 21 Inches Long
- Comes in Pairs
- Lasso Style
- Top Stitched Loop
- Level 3 Strength
- 0.09 Kilograms Weight
Features
Iron Bull Strength lifting straps are premium for pulling exercises like deadlifts. They have undergone testing and trials with quality results. They’re the perfect accessory for powerlifters and weightlifters’ workout sessions. Here are some features of this product.
- Soft Heavy-Duty Neoprene Pad: The Iron Bull Strength lifting straps have a top-quality 5mm neoprene support pad. Its softness provides a cushion and supports proper lifting technique. This evenly distributes the weights in your wrists and gives you a comfortable and longer workout session.
- Exercise Versatility: This one supports the forearms, hands, and wrists, making it easy to do many pulling exercises like deadlifts, lat pulldowns, weighted chin-ups, shrugs, and rows. It’s also a practical strap for any workout. Whether you’re a regular gym goer, bodybuilder, powerlifter, weightlifter, CrossFit, or Olympic athlete, this strap suits your needs. Many people consider it a good and effective grip strengthener regardless of your pulling exercises.
- One Size Fits All: The Iron Bull Strength lifting strap has an adjustable strap that accommodates any wrist size.
- Color Variety: To create a perfectly customized lifting strap, you can choose various colors that suit your workout style. The Iron Bull Strength lifting strap comes in 16 different colors.
Wrapping Up
The market is flooded with various lifting straps, yet not all are suitable for deadlifts. The article above explains that durability, size, material, and type are crucial in selecting the ideal deadlift straps.
The Iron Bull Strength lifting strap stands out as a top choice for those pursuing high-quality, premium-feel lifting straps that offer longevity. Its versatility extends across numerous workout routines, accommodating the needs of gym enthusiasts, bodybuilders, powerlifters, weightlifters, CrossFit aficionados, and Olympic athletes. Consider trying the Iron Bull Strength lifting strap today. Experience the maximum benefits and elevate your workout sessions to their full potential.
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References
- Jukic, I., García-Ramos, A., Baláš, J., Malecek, J., Omcirk, D., & Tufano, J. J. (2021). Ergogenic effects of lifting straps on movement velocity, grip strength, perceived exertion and grip security during the deadlift exercise. Physiology & behavior, 229, 113283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113283
- Trahey, K. M., Lapp, E. M., Talipan, T. N., Guydan, T. J., Krupka, A. J., & Ellis, C. E. (2023). The Effect of Lifting Straps on Deadlift Performance in Females. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 37(10), 1924–1928. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004494
