Okay, let’s get real: your grip sucks after a while. Everyone does. You’re not a cyborg. That’s why lifting straps exist—to stop your forearms from giving up before your back and hamstrings do.
Deadlifts, rows, RDLs, shrugs, whatever—straps let you hang on when the bar wants to escape. If you’re in the UK (or just buying from UK shops), here’s the lowdown on what’s worth your cash, what to look for, and how not to snap your wrists off using them.
Quick Picks (for UK folks):
Best all-rounder? Strength Shop Cotton Lifting Straps (padded) or Bulldog Gear Classics. Those’ll do the trick for almost everyone.
Need ‘em cheap? Myprotein Padded Straps. They’re everywhere, don’t cost much, and they work.
Going heavy—like, scary heavy? Cerberus Figure-8 Straps. Strongman crowd loves ‘em. Locks you in tight.
Olympic lifts or just want to bail fast? IronMind “Short & Sweet” or Rogue Oly Nylon. Quick on, quick off.
Sensitive baby wrists or just want cushy comfort? Harbinger Big Grip Padded Straps.
Want something that’ll probably outlive you? Rogue Ohio Leather, or Strength Shop’s leather option.
Prices? You’re looking at £8–15 for basic, £15–25 for mid-range, and £25–40+ for the “treat yo’ self” level. Watch for sales.Types of Straps: Don’t Overthink It
Lasso (single-loop): This is your standard. Loop goes on your wrist, wrap the tail around the bar. Easy. Good for pretty much anything. Takes a second to set up, but not rocket science.
Figure-8: Two loops, you shove your wrist in one, the bar sits in the 8, you go in the other. Fast as hell, and you’re not dropping it unless you really want to. Downside? Bailing in a hurry isn’t great, so forget these for Olympic lifts.
Olympic (closed-loop): Short and sweet—literally. These are made for weightlifting. Quick release if you need to ditch the bar mid-lift. Not quite as “locked in” as lasso or figure-8, but you won’t get stuck.
Materials—that “feel”
Cotton: Classic. Grippy, comfy, soaks up sweat. Good for most folks.
Nylon: Tougher, lasts forever, but a bit slicker on some bars.
Leather: Fancy, takes a minute to break in, costs more. Looks cool though, and will last until the sun explodes.Other stuff: Width—1 to 1.5 inches is standard. Axle bars need to be wider, up to 2 inches. Length—20 to 26 inches for lassos. Padding for the whiny-wristed. Stitching matters—look for box/X patterns.
Best Straps for Different Setups
Strength Shop Cotton: Dead simple, grippy, option for padding. If you’ve got no clue, just get these.
Myprotein Padded: Cheap, everywhere, honestly fine for most.Cerberus Figure–8: Locks you IN. Strongman, max deads, axle bars—these are your heavy hitters.
IronMind Short & Sweet: Quick release for snatch/clean pulls. Olympic lifter’s go-to.
Harbinger Big Grip: Super-padded for the comfort-obsessed.Rogue/Strength Shop Leather: Built to last. If you’re tired of buying new straps every year, go leather.
Pro tip: If you’re mostly deadlifting, rowing, and doing basic gym stuff—lasso cotton straps. If you go for max lifts or use thick bars, figure-8s are king. Weightlifting? Olympic straps.
How to Pick (without losing your mind)
What are you lifting? Deadlifts, rows = lasso. Heavy singles, axle bars = figure-8. Snatch/clean pulls = Olympic.
Care more about volume/comfort? Go padded cotton. Want something that lasts? Nylon or leather.
Small hands? Get standard width, maybe a longer tail. Fat bars? Go wider or figure-8.
Tight budget? Cheap cotton works. Train heavy, often? Splurge a bit, maybe get two pairs.
- How to Use Lasso Straps—Quick and Dirty
- Hand through the loop, tail under your palm.
- Grab the bar, wrap the tail around it a couple of times.
- Trap the tail under your palm, roll the bar to tighten. Don’t overthink it.
- Repeat for the other hand, brace, lift.
- Figure-8s: Slip wrist into one loop, feed the strap under the bar, wrist into the second loop. Bar’s
- now sandwiched between the loops. Locked and loaded.
Safety Stuff—Don’t Be Dumb
Thumbs go around the bar. Don’t do suicide grip unless you like ER visits.
Don’t crank the straps so tight you can’t get out.
Practice with light weights so you don’t panic under a heavy bar.When to Use (or Not Use) Straps
Use ‘em when: Your grip craps out before your back, you want to hit your lats/hams hard, or you’re chasing high reps and don’t want to tap out early.
Skip ‘em when: Warming up, working on grip strength, or doing anything that needs a quick bail (unless you’re using Olympic-style straps).
That’s the gist. Straps are simple, but picking the right ones stops you from hating life halfway through your set. If you’re still sitting there unsure, just grab a basic cotton lasso strap and get lifting. You’ll figure out what you like soon enough.
Care, maintenance, and replacement
Cotton/nylon straps? Dunk ‘em in cold water, give ‘em a gentle hand-wash, and let ‘em hang dry—don’t get fancy. Chalk caked on? Brush it off. You’ll thank yourself when your grip isn’t sliding everywhere.
Leather’s a diva: just wipe it down with a damp cloth, maybe treat it to some conditioner now and then. Don’t soak it unless you want a floppy, ruined mess.
Replace your straps when the stitching’s coming apart, the strap’s getting super thin or torn, or the padding is basically dust. Don’t gamble with gear that’s on its last legs. Seriously. Don’t be that person.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using straps 24/7? Your raw grip strength’s gonna stay stuck in the mud. Ditch ‘em for warm-ups and lighter sets.
Wrap the tail over the top of the bar and roll it towards you—locks in way better for most folks. Not rocket science, just works.
If your strap’s digging into your wrist bone, move it. You want it sitting on the meat, not the bone. Bruised wrists suck.
Don’t ignore the bar’s knurling. Super-sharp knurl + flimsy straps = shredded junk in a week. Don’t cheap out.
Relying on straps for comp lifts? Some federations don’t allow them. Check the rules or risk looking clueless.
Competitions (UK context)
Powerlifting: Straps on deadlifts? Nope. Most federations (like IPF/British Powerlifting) say no dice.
Strongman: Usually allowed—figure‑8s are everywhere—but rules can change with the weather. Always double-check.
Weightlifting: Straps are for training pulls, not for showing off on the platform when it counts.
FAQs
Q1) Do lifting straps kill your grip strength?
A) Only if you use them for everything. Do your warm-ups and some work sets bare-handed, then slap on the straps for the heavy, soul-crushing stuff. Toss in some farmer’s walks or static holds if you’re worried.Q2) Are lifting straps and wrist wraps the same thing?
A) Nah. Straps help you hold onto the bar. Wrist wraps just stiffen up your wrists for pressing—don’t expect them to help your deadlift grip.Q3) What’s the best strap for deadlifts?
A) Lasso straps are the all-rounder—easy, secure. If you’re pulling monster singles or messing with axle bars, figure‑8s are basically seatbelts for your hands.Q4) What straps for Olympic lifts?
A) Go short, closed-loop Olympic straps. They cinch up fast but let you bail in a hurry if things get sketchy.Q5) Cotton, nylon, or leather—which to choose?
A) Cotton’s grippy and comfy—most folks love it. Nylon’s tougher, feels a bit slick. Leather is for the fancy crowd—takes a while to break in, but lasts.Q6) Straps in competitions—allowed or not?
A) Not for deadlifts in powerlifting, almost always. Strongman? Usually yes, but check. Weightlifting? Only for pulls in training, never on stage.Q7) Do I need padding?
A) If your wrists whine during high reps, padding’s nice. If you want max feel of the bar, skip it.Q8) How much should I spend?
A) £15–£25 gets you decent straps. Pulling heavy all the time? Throw down £25–£40 or more for the good stuff—it’ll last longer.Links:-