Lifting Straps in Strength Training - Useful or Unnecessary?

Many athletes first notice lifting straps during heavy deadlifts or back workouts in the gym and immediately ask themselves:

Do I really need them, or are they only for professionals?

The answer is simple:
Lifting straps can be extremely useful in strength training when used correctly.

During heavy pulling exercises, the problem is often not the back or lats, but grip strength. The forearms fail before the target muscles are fully exhausted. That is exactly where lifting straps become useful.

What Are Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps are training accessories made from fabric, cotton, or leather. They wrap around the wrist and the barbell to improve grip support.

They are especially popular for exercises such as:

• Deadlifts
• Barbell rows
• T-Bar rows
• Pull-ups
• Lat pulldowns
• Shrugs
• Rack pulls

The goal is not to “cheat,” but to train the target muscles more effectively.

Why Do Bodybuilders and Strength Athletes Use Lifting Straps?

The biggest advantage is that grip strength no longer becomes the limiting factor.

Many athletes know this problem:

The back could still perform more repetitions, but the hands begin to open or the forearms are completely exhausted.

With lifting straps, the focus stays where it belongs – on the back, lats, and rear shoulders.

This often allows athletes to:

• train heavier
• perform more repetitions
• place more stress on the target muscles
• increase overall training intensity

This is especially important in bodybuilding, where muscle stimulation matters more than grip endurance alone.

Are Lifting Straps Bad for Grip Strength?

This is one of the most common myths in fitness.

No – as long as they are used intelligently.

If someone uses straps for every exercise and every set, grip strength will naturally be trained less. That is why many coaches recommend:

• warm-up sets without straps
• lighter sets without straps
• straps only for heavy working sets

This way, grip strength still improves while allowing maximum focus on the target muscles.

Who Should Use Lifting Straps?

Lifting straps are especially useful for:

• Bodybuilders
• Strength athletes
• Powerlifters
• Strongman athletes
• Fitness athletes with weak grip strength
• People with sweaty hands
• Athletes with forearm fatigue or issues

Many combat sports athletes also use lifting straps during strength training to focus more on back development without the forearms failing first.

Different Types of Lifting Straps

Classic Lifting Straps

The most common version.
Simply wrap them around the barbell. Very popular in bodybuilding.

Figure-8 Straps

Popular in powerlifting and strongman training.
Extremely secure for heavy deadlifts.

Hook Straps

Use metal hooks instead of fabric wrapping.
Convenient for beginners, although often less flexible.

Grip Pads

A mix between gloves and lifting straps.
Quick to use and comfortable during workouts.

When Should You Avoid Using Lifting Straps?

Not every exercise requires straps.

For exercises such as:

• Farmer’s walks
• Grip strength training
• Light warm-up sets
• Functional training

it often makes sense to train without assistance.

Strong grip strength is still important both in sports and everyday life.

Conclusion: Lifting Straps Are a Useful Tool When Used Properly

Lifting straps are not “cheating,” and they are not only for professionals.

They help athletes target the muscles more effectively and perform heavy pulling exercises with better control. Especially during back workouts, they can make a noticeable difference.

The key is simply to use them wisely and continue training grip strength naturally as well.

Anyone who trains heavy, performs regular deadlifts, or notices that the forearms fail before the back should definitely consider using quality lifting straps.

At Vikingstore, you can find different models for strength training, bodybuilding, and heavy lifting – available directly in Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lifting Straps

Are lifting straps suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners often benefit because they can focus more on proper exercise technique.

Do powerlifters use lifting straps?

Yes, especially during training sessions. Competition rules may vary depending on the federation.

Do lifting straps help with deadlifts?

Definitely. Especially with heavy weights, they can prevent grip strength from failing before the back muscles.

Which lifting straps are best?

That depends on the type of training. For classic bodybuilding, standard lifting straps are often enough. For maximum weights, many athletes prefer Figure-8 straps.

Can lifting straps help you lift more weight?

Often yes, because grip strength becomes less of a limiting factor.